MLB Player News

Contreras (1-0) picked up the win Tuesday, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over 5.2 innings in a 4-1 victory over the Red Sox. He struck out two.

The 23-year-old right-hander wasn't dominant, managing only five swinging strikes among his 78 pitches, but he got the job done in Fenway Park. Contreras posted solid numbers last year in his first extended look at big-league hitters, and the Pirates are counting on him to emerge as a rotation stalwart this season. He sets up for a high-risk, high-reward two-step next week, beginning with a home start against the Astros before a weekend series in St. Louis.

Matz (0-1) was charged with the loss Tuesday against Atlanta after he allowed four runs on 10 hits and one walk across 5.1 innings. He recorded seven strikeouts.

The left-hander surrendered just three runs in four outings during spring training, but Atlanta got to him quickly Tuesday with home runs from Austin Riley and Orlando Arcia in the first and second innings, respectively. Matz generated 15 swinging strikes and topped out at 95.7 mph, which is a tick faster than his average fastball velocity last year, but he had trouble keeping runners off the bases. Matz will have to contend with the Rockies at hitter-friendly Coors Field for his next start, which tentatively lines up for Monday.

Dodd (1-0) earned the win Tuesday in St. Louis, allowing one run on six hits and no walks over five innings in a 4-1 victory. He struck out three.

The 24-year-old made Atlanta's season-opening rotation and was finally added to the MLB roster Tuesday afternoon, and he held down a strong Cardinals offense in his big-league debut. Dodd threw 52 of 73 pitches for strikes and also generated 12 whiffs. The left-hander should maintain his spot in the rotation with Max Fried (hamstring) and Kyle Wright (shoulder) on the injured list, with his next start tentatively lining up for Sunday versus San Diego.

Darvish did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing one run on three hits and four walks over five innings in an 8-6 loss to Arizona. He struck out three.

Due to limited usage in the World Baseball Classic, Darvish's season debut was pushed back, as he needed a bit more time to build up his arm. While this wasn't his most dominant outing in terms of whiffs, and his command was spotty at times, Darvish completed five frames on 91 pitches and left with the lead. He will look to build on this performance his next time out in what projects as a road matchup against the Mets.

Gallen did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and one walk over six innings against the Padres. He struck out three.

Homers allowed to Nelson Cruz and Xander Bogaerts put Arizona in an early hole. It's been a disappointing start to the season for Gallen, who sits with a 7.59 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB through two outings (10.2 innings). He only induced eight swinging strikes on 86 pitches Tuesday. The silver lining here is that he completed six innings after failing to make it out of the fifth on Opening Day. It's also worth noting the opponents will get easier than the Dodgers and Padres.

Miley (1-0) earned the win Tuesday against the Mets after he allowed five hits over six scoreless innings. He had three strikeouts and zero walks.

The veteran left-hander pounded the zone in his season debut and threw 51 of his 79 pitches for strikes, and he gave up just five singles to New York. Miley's fantasy potential is limited by his low strikeouts, but he could provide some ERA stability in deeper leagues as long as he can stay healthy. He tentatively lines up to make his next start Monday in Arizona.

Wesneski allowed three runs on six hits across 4.2 innings and did not factor into the decision Tuesday against the Reds. He walked two and struck out four.

Wesneski wasn't particularly sharp, as he allowed two solo home runs and needed 87 pitches to retire 14 batters, but the Cubs scored 10 runs over the last three innings to run away with a 12-5 victory. The righty had a strong spring to earn the fifth starter spot, and while he should have some degree of job security in the early going, he certainly could be bumped from the rotation at some point if the struggles persist. Wesneski is lined up to face the Mariners in his next scheduled start Monday.

Alcantara (1-0) collected the win Tuesday, allowing three hits and a walk over nine shutout innings while striking out five in a 1-0 victory over Minnesota.

The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner retired the first 11 batters he faced before Trevor Larnach reached on an infield single in the fourth inning, and no Minnesota baserunner even got to second base on the night in a masterful performance by Alcantara. The right-hander generated 15 swinging strikes among his 100 pitches (68 strikes), and he appears to have rediscovered last year's form quickly after a shaky effort Opening Day. Alcantara's next start should come early next week in Philadelphia.

Musgrove (toe) is scheduled to make a rehab start Thursday with Triple-A El Paso, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Musgrove has been building in simulated settings over the last couple of weeks as he completes his recovery from a February toe fracture, so it might just be a one-start rehab stint for the 30-year-old right-hander. There should be a better idea of the Padres' plan following Thursday's outing against the Triple-A affiliate of the Giants. Musgrove is eligible to be activated from the 15-day IL next Tuesday.

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said Tuesday that he's hoping Cueto (biceps) will require a minimum-length stay on the 15-day injured list, Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports.

At the same time, the skipper added that Cueto needs to be built up properly after he aggravated a lingering biceps issue in his Marlins debut Monday against the Twins. Braxton Garrett was called up from Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move and is likely to take Cueto's spot in the rotation in the short term.