MLB Player News

Mahle averaged 95.1 mph with his fastball in Saturday's win over the Cardinals, up from 93.9 mph last season. He touched as high as 98 mph in the start, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Seven of Mahle's nine strikeouts came on his fastball. Mahle said that he didn't do anything in particular to increase velocity this offseason. "(It was all) adrenaline and (my) first real game with fans," Mahle said. "A lot of stuff goes into it. (I) didn't work on my (velocity), it just kind of comes with doing all the stuff off the field, and a lot of adrenaline."

The Nationals announced Sunday that Denaburg (shoulder) recently underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Denaburg was believed to be entering 2021 at full health after having recovered from the arthroscopic right shoulder surgery he required in October 2019, but the 2018 first-round pick has a new arm injury to contend with. He'll end up missing the entire 2021 season and a large portion of the 2022 campaign while he recovers from the elbow injury. Given that he has yet to pitch at a full-season affiliate and now has two major arm procedures on his ledger, the 21-year-old doesn't look like an especially enticing player to hold in dynasty leagues.

Webb (0-1) took the loss against Seattle on Saturday, hurling 5.1 innings and allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out five.

Webb looked dominant in Cactus League play, allowing only one run and posting a 22:2 K:BB across 17 innings. The story was much different in his initial outing of the regular season, however, as the right-hander allowed too much traffic on the basepaths and yielded three runs between the third and fourth innings. Webb will look to rebound in his next start, currently slated to take place Saturday at home against Colorado.

Musgrove (1-0) earned the win against Arizona on Saturday, pitching six scoreless innings and allowing three hits while striking out eight. He did not walk a batter.

Musgrove was simply dominant in his first start of the campaign, yielding only a trio of harmless singles and not allowing any runners to reach second base. The right-hander tossed 57 of 78 pitches for strikes and induced 14 swings-and-misses in the outing. Musgrove's next start will take place Friday at Texas.

Buehler allowed two runs on four hits while fanning four across six innings Saturday against the Rockies. He was credited with a no-decision.

Buehler gave up a home run to Raimel Tapia in the third inning and an RBI double to Ryan McMahon in the fourth, but he was quite good the rest of the way. Buehler was credited with a quality start, and despite the fact that he didn't have his best stuff, the right-hander still found a way to get the job done. His next start is scheduled for April 9 at home against the Nationals.

Burnes (0-1) gave up one run while striking out 11 across 6.1 innings Saturday against the Twins. He was tagged with the loss.

Burnes might have started the season with a loss, but he delivered a stellar effort on the mound with 11 strikeouts and only one run allowed on a Byron Buxton homer in the top of the seventh inning. The 11 strikeouts tied for the second-highest mark of his career. His next start is scheduled for April 8 on the road against the Cardinals.

Gray exited Saturday's start against the Dodgers with full body cramping, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The 29-year-old delivered five scoreless frames before giving up a leadoff double to Corey Seager to open the sixth inning, and the right-hander promptly exited after being visited by the athletic trainer. Seager came around to score, so Gray ended up allowing one run on four hits and one walk with seven strikeouts across five innings. He should be considered day-to-day and may not miss a start since it appears to be a minor issue.

Wheeler (1-0) picked up the win in Saturday's 4-0 victory over Atlanta, allowing only one hit and striking out 10 over seven scoreless innings.

A Travis d'Arnaud single in the second inning was the only blemish on Wheeler's line as he fired 62 of 90 pitches for strikes, and the right-hander generated more offense than the entire Atlanta lineup by going 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored and two RBI. Wheeler posted a career-low 2.92 ERA last year but also had a lackluster 17.5 percent strikeout rate -- at least through one start in 2021, it looks like his whiffs have returned with a vengeance.

Wainwright (0-1) gave up six runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out one batter over 2.2 innings in a loss to the Reds on Saturday.

After cruising through the first two frames, Wainwright gave up a six-spot in the third. Nothing was hit particularly hard after Tucker Barnhart's two-run homer early in the inning, so the line was probably uglier than Wainwright deserved, although it can't all be chalked up to "bad luck." The 39-year-old's declining strikeout rate leaves him susceptible to BABIP variance and volatility. Up next is a home start against the Brewers.

Morton (0-1) took the loss Saturday as Atlanta fell 4-0 to the Phillies, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks over five innings while striking out five.

The veteran right-hander turned in a respectable performance, tossing 50 of 76 pitches for strikes, but he had no margin for error with Atlanta managing only one hit against Zack Wheeler and the Philly bullpen. Morton will try to get some revenge in a rematch against the Phillies on Friday back in Atlanta.