MLB Player News

Keler (1-0) threw five innings Sunday, allowing one run and earning a win over the Cardinals. He walked three batters and struck out two.

Despite throwing just 47 of his 87 pitches for strikes and walking more batters than he fanned, Keller was able to keep the Cardinals' lineup fairly quiet. While it wasn't the most impressive outing, it's certainly a sign of improvement after he posted an abysmal 7.13 ERA as a rookie in 2019. Keller will get a tough matchup at Wrigley Field against the Cubs next weekend.

Gallen allowed one run on two hits and five walks while striking out six over four innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Sunday.

Eric Hosmer had a solo home run to account for Gallen's lone blemish in the runs column. Gallen wasn't punished harshly for his generosity, but the five free passes are a concern for the 24-year-old. He posted a 4.1 BB/9, 2.81 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 80 innings between the Marlins and Diamondbacks as a rookie in 2019. Gallen will look for better control Friday at home versus the Dodgers.

Lucchesi will start Monday's game against the Diamondbacks, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Lucchesi wasn't very effective during spring training this season, but he still secured a spot in the rotation heading into the shortened 2020 season. The southpaw recorded a 4.18 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 30 starts with the Padres last season.

Lorenzen (0-1) allowed two runs on one hit and one walk without a strikeout in one inning as he was charged with the loss Sunday against the Tigers.

Lorenzen was called on in the ninth inning Sunday to preserve the 1-1 score, but he gave up a walk before allowing a two-run homer that proved to be the difference in the 3-2 loss. The 28-year-old has now allowed a home run in each of his two appearances over the Reds' first three games this year.

Velasquez allowed four earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four across three innings Sunday against the Marlins. He did not factor into the decision.

Velasquez cruised through the first inning, striking out the final two batters he faced. However, he ran into trouble quickly in the second frame, during which he allowed two home runs that accounted for all of his earned runs. Velasquez claimed the fifth spot in the rotation with a strong summer camp, but his role could be in jeopardy with Spencer Howard nearing a callup to the big-league club.

Corbin allowed one earned run on two hits and no walks while striking out eight across 6.1 innings Sunday against the Yankees. He did not factor into the decision.

Corbin retired the first 11 batters he faced -- five via strikeout -- before allowing an infield hit. The only damage against him came in the seventh inning, when Gleyber Torres took him yard. Corbin worked very efficiently, requiring only 75 pitches to retire 19 batters. He'll look to carry this performance into his next start, currently projected for Friday at Miami.

Smyly will start Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

He threw one inning out of the bullpen in Thursday's game, which essentially was his side session ahead of this start. Smyly will likely have to be pretty efficient with his pitches to log five innings in his first start of the season, which seems unlikely given the lineup he will have to face.

Marquez will start Wednesday's game in Oakland on normal rest, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The Rockies will skip the fifth spot in the rotation to allow Marquez to pitch on normal rest. The key takeaway is that fantasy managers can deploy Marquez next week without fear of him pitching at Coors Field.

Lauer (COVID-19) was activated from the injured list and is available out of the bullpen Sunday against the Cubs, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Getting the coronavirus cost Lauer a shot at opening the year in the rotation. The team's fifth stater, Freddy Peralta, is starting Sunday, so it would be logical for Lauer to follow him out of the bullpen if the situation calls for a left-handed pitcher who can log multiple innings.

Urena, who was scratched from his scheduled start Sunday, tested positive for COVID-19, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Heyman reports that Urena feels fine, so it will just be a matter of him testing negative in two consecutive tests before he rejoins the Marlins. Robert Dugger will start in his place Sunday.