MLB Player News

Wheeler (0-1) took the loss Saturday as the Phillies were routed 16-3 by the Rangers, giving up five runs (four earned) on seven hits and a walk over 4.1 innings. He struck out seven.

The right-hander was working from behind most of the afternoon, throwing first-pitch strikes to only nine of 22 batters and exiting after tossing 55 of 94 pitches for strikes. Wheeler did generate 17 swinging strikes though, and his final line doesn't look so bad compared to some of the atrocious outings from the Phillies' relievers. The 32-year-old had trouble staying healthy in 2022, with his 26 starts and 153 innings being his lowest totals over a full MLB season since 2017, but he appears to be 100 percent to kick off the current campaign. Wheeler's next turn in the rotation will likely come at home next week against the Reds.

Wacha (1-0) earned the win Saturday, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks over six innings against the Rockies. He struck out two.

Wacha breezed through the first four innings before allowing a run in the fifth on a fielder's choice off the bat of Ezequiel Tovar. The right-hander then struggled in the sixth while giving up three runs in that frame, including a two-run home run by C.J. Cron. All in all, it was a solid -- if unspectacular -- outing for Wacha in his first start as a member of the Padres. He's scheduled to go again in Atlanta next weekend.

Cobb didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Yankees, giving up two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk over 3.2 innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander was stingy but not efficient, getting the hook after needing 76 pitches (47 strikes) to record only 11 outs, but he was always likely to get a quick hook after being bothered by knee soreness late in spring training. Cobb is coming off a 2022 campaign in which he struck out a career-high 151 batters over 149.2 innings, but that was also the first time since 2018 he's been able to make more than 18 starts. The 35-year-old is projected to take the mound at home next week against the Royals.

Gray (0-1) took the loss Saturday, coughing up five runs on seven hits -- including three home runs -- and two walks over five innings as the Nationals fell 7-1 to Atlanta. He struck out four.

It was the same old story for the right-hander, who got taken deep by both Ronald Acuna and Matt Olson within the first six pitches of the game. Gray has posted a HR/9 of 2.30 or higher in each of the last two seasons, and it doesn't look like his offseason work to add a cutter to his arsenal has solved that puzzle. Until he learns to keep the ball in the park, the 25-year-old will be too volatile to deploy in most fantasy formats other than as a deep streaming option. His early-season problems could get worse before they get better, as Gray's next start is set to come on a road trip to Coors Field next week.

Strider (1-0) picked up the win in Saturday's 7-1 victory over the Nationals, allowing three hits and three walks over six scoreless innings while striking out nine.

The 24-year-old right-hander picked up right where he left off in 2022, generating 16 swinging strikes among his 96 pitches (68 strikes) as he sliced through an overmatched Washington lineup. Strider racked up 202 strikeouts in only 131.2 innings last year, and a full season in the rotation could allow him to post some unthinkable strikeout numbers in 2023. His next start will likely come at home against the Padres next week.

Flaherty (1-0) picked up the win Saturday, throwing five no-hit, scoreless innings and striking out four but walking a career-high seven batters in a 4-1 victory over the Blue Jays.

The right-hander also hit a batter with a pitch and ultimately threw only 49 of 95 pitches for strikes, but Flaherty was able to wriggle out of every jam he created. Making the win even more remarkable, the Cards' go-ahead runs in the third inning were all unearned as Kevin Gausman was posting excellent numbers for the Jays. Flaherty hasn't worked more than 78.1 innings in a season since 2019 due to various injuries, so his inability to find the plate consistently in his 2023 debut is at least a little concerning. The 27-year-old's next turn lines up for a series next weekend in Milwaukee.

Cabrera did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two runs on two hits and six walks over four innings in a 6-2 loss to the Mets. He struck out two.

Only 40 of Cabrera's 85 pitches went for strikes. He fell behind in the count initially to 10 of the 20 batters he faced. It was an afternoon to forget for Cabrera after he generated additional buzz in the Grapefruit League (1.80, 0.93 WHIP, 14:6 K:BB in 15 innings). He showed real potential across 14 starts last season, but until he reins in his control, Cabrera has to be considered a volatile fantasy option. The 24-year-old lines up for a road start against these same Mets next week.

Megill (1-0) earned the win Saturday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over five innings against Miami. He struck out seven.

Filling in for Justin Verlander (teres major strain), Megill walked two of the first seven batters he faced Saturday, showing some of the same control issues that plagued him in spring training. He buckled down from there, however, and would go on to complete five innings on 93 pitches. Megill and David Peterson will essentially continue their spring training competition into the regular season, though it's entirely possible both pitchers stick around long term if there are additional injuries to the starting rotation.

Steele struck out eight batters in six scoreless innings Saturday against the Brewers, walking one and allowing three hits. He did not factor in to the decision.

Steele impressed last season to the tune of a 3.18 ERA in 24 starts, and his first outing of 2023 indicates there's more where that came from. Saturday's outing stands as one of the best of his young career, as only once last season did he throw six shutout innings (incidentally also against the Brewers). It wasn't enough to secure the victory, however, as the Brewers would go on to take a 3-1 lead in the eighth inning. Steele will look to have another strong start next week against the Rangers.

Woodruff took a no-decision versus the Cubs on Saturday despite allowing just one run on three hits and a walk in six innings while striking out eight.

Woodruff left the game with his team trailing, but it's hard to blame him for that fact. He didn't allow more than one baserunner in any inning, with the Cubs' lone run coming on a sixth-inning solo shot by Ian Happ. It was an excellent start to the year for Woodruff, who cruised to a 3.05 ERA last season even while missing time due to Raynaud's syndrome. He's lined up to return to the mound at home next week against the Cardinals.