MLB Player News

Quintana pitched four innings of relief in Saturday's 8-6 loss to the Rangers. He allowed two runs on six hits and three walks, while striking out eight.

Quintana entered in the fourth inning after starter Yu Darvish only went 2.2 innings, and the lefty tossed 81 pitches while giving the Cubs valuable length. He was a bit all over the place with the six hits and three walks, but Quintana mostly stayed out of trouble with the help of the eight strikeouts, and he earned his first MLB hold in the process. With the Cubs having an off day this past Friday and again Tuesday, they can skip past Quintana's No. 5 spot in the rotation, which explained his availability for long-relief work in this one. Expect the lefty to take his regular turn sometime next weekend.

Lyles (side) will make his 2019 debut Thursday against the Reds, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Lyles completed a simulated game and bullpen session at extended spring training Friday, throwing a total of 100 pitches. In the aftermath, he apparently feels well enough to make his season-debut, which will come at home in pitcher-friendly PNC Park. Lyles operated as a swingman last season and recorded a 4.79 ERA with 40 strikeouts across 47 innings of work as a starter.

Manager David Bell said Alex Wood's (back) mid-April timetable might have been aggressive, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

There are no known setbacks in Wood's return, but he will still have to build up innings after throwing only one official frame in spring training. He may still be in line for a return later in April, but Tyler Mahle will serve as the team's fifth starter in his place.

Maeda (1-0) earned a victory, allowing three runs on five hits over 6.2 innings against the Diamondbacks on Saturday. He struck out six and walked two.

The 30-year-old gave up all three of his runs on solo homers. That's unusual for Maeda, who posted a 0.9 HR/9 rate last year. He also wasn't quite up to snuff in the strikeout department. Maeda struck out 11.0 per nine innings last year and eclipsed that number during spring training. He got off to a good-but-not-great start in that area with a rate under one punchout per inning Saturday night.

Darvish didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 8-6 loss to the Rangers, allowing three runs on two hits and seven walks over 2.2 innings while striking out four.

The right-hander walked six of the nine batters he faced the first time through the Texas order, eventually throwing just 38 of his 75 pitches for strikes before getting the hook. Darvish battled a blister late in the spring, so his difficulties in finding the plate Saturday may well be related. He's trying to rebound from an injury-plagued 2018, but his first start of the year -- in his old Arlington stomping grounds, no less -- could only have been worse if he'd broken down again. The 32-year-old is set to return to the mound April 4 in Atlanta, but it wouldn't be a shock if the Cubs elect to go in another direction and give Darvish more time to figure things out.

The Reds used Lorenzen as a pinch runner in Thursday's Opening Day win and kept him in center field afterward, moving Scott Schebler over to left field, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Reds manager David Bell said that they wouldn't use Lorenzen as a starter in center field in the near future because the Reds have so many other outfield options, but they wouldn't be opposed to that in the long term.

Strasburg gave up four runs on six hits and two walks over six innings during Saturday's 11-8 loss to the Mets. He recorded eight strikeouts and did not factor in the decision.

Strasburg was able to retire two of the first three batters of the game, but then allowed three straight hits en route to a three-run inning. The 30-year-old then walked opposing pitcher Noah Syndergaard -- who came around to score on a double -- during the second inning. Strasburg settled down thereafter, but the damage had been done. The hard-throwing right-hander should have another chance against the Mets on Thursday.

Woodruff (1-0) picked up the win Saturday, giving up two runs on six hits and a walk over five innings while striking out five in a 4-2 victory over the Cardinals.

It wasn't the most efficient performance -- Woodruff needed 100 pitches (64 strikes) to record his 15 outs -- but with Milwaukee's bats booming once again, it was good enough to get the right-hander into the win column. Woodruff will next take the mound Friday at home against the Cubs.

Syndergaard gave up four runs on seven hits over six innings during Saturday's win over the Nationals. He struck out seven, walked none and did not factor in the decision.

Syndergaard's first start of 2019 was an unremarkable one as he gave up four extra-base hits, including a solo home run to Victor Robles. The 26-year-old next lines up to take the mound Thursday and will face the Nationals again.

Lopez (1-0) picked up the win in Saturday's 7-3 victory over the Rockies, allowing three runs on five hits over 5.1 innings while striking out seven.

The right-hander got lifted after 88 pitches (62 strikes), falling short of a quality start, but it was otherwise a very successful 2019 debut for Lopez. He generated a whopping 19 swinging strikes, so the strikeout rate was no fluke, and the 23-year-old is starting to look like a genuine building block for a Marlins rotation that's more projection than production at the moment. Lopez's next start is set for April 5 in Atlanta.