MLB Player News

Greinke (1-1) bounced back, allowing three runs on six hits and striking out 10 with no walks across six innings in a victory against the Padres on Tuesday.

This performance was vintage Greinke, as he displayed pinpoint control all night with 25 called strikes and no walks. Greinke did yield two more home runs, which is a concern because that's six long balls in his first 9.2 innings this season, but this was still a very strong start. Greinke has 13 strikeouts in 9.2 innings to open 2019. He also helped his cause, hitting a pair of home runs in the three-run win.

Ryu (2-0) earned a victory against the Giants, allowing two runs on six hits, striking out five and walking none across seven innings Tuesday.

The only two runs Ryu yielded came on a homer from Madison Bumgarner in the sixth. Because of two double plays, Ryu faced the minimum in six of the seven innings he pitched. The 32-year-old has been sharp to open the season, going 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 13 strikeouts in his first two outings.

Eflin (1-0) earned the win Tuesday against the Nationals by allowing only three hits and one walk across five scoreless innings. He recorded nine strikeouts.

Eflin had zero issues against Washington as he allowed only one runner to reach second base. The 24-year-old needed 85 pitches to get through five frames and he's likely still ramping up his arm strength a bit. Eflin next lines up to start against the Twins on Sunday.

Urena (0-2) allowed five earned runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out four across four innings to take the loss Tuesday against the Mets.

Urena gave up all five of his runs in the first inning, though he allowed only one extra-base hit. He settled in after, but was still forced to exit early due to his high pitch count. It hasn't been a positive start to the season for Urena, as he's now allowed 10 earned runs in just 8.2 innings of work across two starts. More positively, he has struck out six and walked two while allowing just one home run.

Freeland (1-1) allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and four walks while striking out 10 across 4.2 innings to take the loss Tuesday against the Rays.

Freeland labored through the first inning, throwing 31 pitches, walking two batters and allowing all three of his runs to cross the plate. Thereafter, he allowed only two baserunners, though he was unable to pitch deep into the game due to his extended first frame. On the positive side, his 10 strikeouts matched his season-best mark from his 2018 breakout campaign.

DeSclafani struck out eight and permitted just one earned run over five innings in a no-decision against the Brewers on Tuesday. He allowed three hits and three walks as Milwaukee won 4-3.

DeSclafani gave up only one run on a third-inning single to Jesus Aguilar, but was removed for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the fifth after throwing 89 pitches. The 28-year-old was making his first start of 2019 and is now scheduled for his next start Sunday in Pittsburgh.

While Finnegan has cleared waivers, the location of his assignment hasn't officially been decided, though it's unlikely to be to Triple-A Louisville, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Finnegan's most likely destination is Double-A Pensacola instead. "We're discussing options," Reds president of baseball operations Dick Williams said. "Right now, we don't think he'll go to Triple-A. It's possible he would go to Double-A, maybe in order to work out of a rotation and get more innings in a more conducive environment."

Urias will go back to the bullpen when either Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) or Rich Hill (knee) returns to the rotation, Alanna Rizzo of SportsNetLA reports.

Urias was excellent in his first start of the season, holding the Giants to no runs and striking out seven over five innings, but manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that the 22-year-old will be headed to a relief role when either of the club's injured veterans returns to action. This would put a significant damper on his value whenever it takes place, though Urias can continue to make a case to be the first choice to get back in the rotation in the event of another injury should he continue to pitch well in the absence of Kershaw and Hill.

Marquez agreed to a five-year, $43 million extension with the Rockies on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The deal includes a club option which can convert to a mutual option if Marquez has a pair of top-three Cy Young finishes. Marquez fanned seven in a win over the Marlins in Miami in his 2019 debut. He lines up to face the Rays in Tampa Bay on Wednesday.

Hill (knee) will throw a bullpen session Saturday in Denver, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

It's an expected development for the veteran left-hander, who told reporters Monday that he was feeling better after throwing off flat ground. With Saturday's bullpen session now officially on the docket, it will be the next step in determining a timeline for a return for Hill as he continues to work his way back from his strained left knee.