MLB Player News

Kershaw didn't factor into the decision in Monday's 4-3 win over the Reds, allowing two runs on five hits over seven innings while striking out six.

The only damage against the southpaw came in the first inning, when Yasiel Puig took him deep. After that Kershaw was pretty much back to his 2018 form; effective despite significantly reduced velocity from his peak. Kershaw got ahead of hitters, tossing 18 first-pitch strikes to 24 batters, and kept them off-balance. He'll face a tougher test his next time out in Milwaukee on Saturday.

Castillo didn't factor into the decision in Monday's 4-3 loss to the Dodgers, giving up two runs on four hits and five walks over five innings while striking out seven.

The right-hander appeared to be cruising heading into the fifth inning, but Castillo's control deserted him and he walked in the tying run to make it 2-2 before escaping the jam. He'll take a 1.46 ERA and 32:13 K:BB through 24.2 innings into his next start Saturday in San Diego.

Martinez (shoulder) threw a second 20-pitch bullpen session Monday and was able to begin varying his pitches, Andrew Wagner of MLB.com reports. "Everything checked out great," manager Mike Shildt said. "He tried to mix in four-seam [fastballs] and two-seam. He tried to mix in some spin and off-speed pitches and felt great."

The session was a step up from Friday's, when Martinez exclusively threw fastballs. The right-hander is now slated for several days off before he carries out a side session. Martinez is eventually scheduled to progress to throwing a live batting practice, most likely at the Cardinals' spring facility in Jupiter, Florida.

Lucchesi (2-2) gave up five runs on seven hits and two walks across seven innings, taking the loss against the Rockies on Monday. He struck out four and yielded a pair of homers.

After two scoreless outings to start his 2019 season, Lucchesi has been drilled for 12 runs across 11 innings in his last two appearances, driving his ERA to 5.06. Both Nolan Arenado and Ian Desmond took him deep, the first homers he's allowed this season. The second-year southpaw will look to get back in the win column against Cincinnati on Sunday.

Senzatela (1-0) earned the victory over San Diego on Monday, yielding just one run over 6.2 innings. He struck out four batters while walking one and allowing six hits, including one homer.

Senzatela wasn't in trouble during the seventh frame -- he had allowed one single in the inning -- but was likely on a pitch limit in his first MLB start of the season. He was strong all night, needing just 83 pitches to earn the win. The lone run scored off a solo shot from Franmil Reyes. Senzatela will look to grab his second win against the Phillies on Sunday.

Nola threw four innings in a no-decision against the Mets on Monday, giving up five earned runs on seven hits, striking out six and walking three as the Phillies eventually fell 7-6 in extra innings.

Nola continues to struggle to start the season, as he's now given up at least four earned in three straight starts to give him a 7.45 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP through his first 19.2 innings. It's not the ace-level production owners are used to from the right-hander; however, his Cy Young-caliber campaign of last season leaves plenty of hope he'll correct whatever issues have led to this rough start and get back on track. He'll get a chance to do so against the Rockies in his next start on Saturday, but will have to contend with the ever-challenging confines of Coors Field.

Peralta gave up three runs on four hits with three walks while striking out three through 3.1 innings in a no-decision against the Cardinals on Monday.

It was a tough outing from the start for Peralta, as he gave up back-to-back home runs in the first inning and was pulled after only 3.1 innings Monday. The 11-strikeout performance in Cincinnati is looking like the outlier as the 22-year-old has not completed more than 3.1 innings in three out of four starts. The right-hander has a 7.13 ERA and a 22:7 strikeout-to-walk ratio through four starts. Things certainly won't get any easier for Peralta in his next start Saturday against the Dodgers.

Darvish (1-2) picked up the win against the Marlins on Monday, giving up two earned runs on four hits over 5.2 innings, striking out eight and walking four as the Cubs won 7-2.

Darvish was off to a rough start to the season, so it was good to see the right-hander put up a stat line like this and pick up his first win of the campaign. It wasn't entirely seamless, as he walked four more hitters to bring his K:BB to an unspectacular 18:15 through 17.2 innings, but he did manage to strike out a season-high eight hitters. Thanks to his rough first three outings, Darvish will take a bloated 6.11 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP into his next start, which will pit him against the Diamondbacks at home on Saturday.

Anderson (knee) threw a bullpen session Monday without issue, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

The Rockies bumped Chad Bettis from their starting rotation to the bullpen, and following a healthy bullpen from Anderson, it would appear as though he's close to being activated. While Anderson's return from the injured list isn't imminent at this point, per Groke, he's certainly trending in the right direction.

Freeland (finger) is in line to start Thursday against the Padres, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

Freeland was removed from Saturday's outing against San Francisco after five innings of work due to a blister on his finger, but he's not expected to miss any time as a result of the issue. Colorado's starting rotation could be back at full strength in the near future, as Tyler Anderson (knee) appears to be closing in on a return from the injured list.