MLB Player News

Williams hurled three scoreless innings against the Orioles on Sunday. He gave up three hits and no walks while striking out two batters.

While his 2018 second-half 1.38 ERA is unsustainable, he figures to see solid matchups as Pittsburgh's No. 3 starter. Prior to his overachieving 2018, when he compiled a 3.11 ERA in 170.2 innings, he registered a 4.07 ERA in 150.1 innings as a rookie. His projected earned-run average for 2019 likely lies somewhere in between the results from his first two campaigns.

Flaherty's second start of the season is slated for the Cardinals' home opener April 4, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Flaherty, who fired four scoreless, one-hit innings in a Grapefruit League win over the Marlins on Sunday, is slated to make his season debut as the Cardinals' starter in the second game of a season-opening four-game set versus the Brewers. That will line him up to start the first home opener of his career versus the Padres. The 23-year-old right-hander enjoyed a solid spring, complementing a 1-1 record with a 2.12 ERA and .183 BAA across 17.0 Grapefruit League frames.

Kelly will be the Diamondbacks' fifth starter, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

Kelly bounced back from a pair of poor starts at the beginning of spring to record a 4.60 ERA, though his 10:8 K:BB isn't particularly impressive. It's hard to tell exactly what Kelly will offer this season, as he's spent the last four years in South Korea, but the Diamondbacks evidently trust him enough to give him a spot for now.

Darvish (finger) expects to be ready for the start of the season, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Darvish has been battling a blister, but he got through 4.2 innings in a minor-league outing Sunday while protecting his finger with a bandage. He'll throw a bullpen session in the next few days once the bandage comes off. Assuming that goes well, he'll start Saturday or Sunday against the Rangers.

Fried is scheduled to start the Braves' sixth game of the season April 4 against the Cubs, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Assuming Fried isn't used out of the bullpen during the first five games, the southpaw will join Atlanta's rotation during the team's second series of the season. With Kevin Gausman (shoulder) expected to join the rotation shortly after his scheduled start -- and Mike Foltynewicz (elbow) and Mike Soroka (shoulder) not far behind -- Fried's stay in the rotation could be brief. Fried owns a 2.35 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB through 15.1 innings this spring.

Gausman (shoulder) will begin the season on the injured list, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Gausman is behind schedule due to a minor shoulder issue that delayed him earlier in camp, so the right-hander will stay back at extended spring training to get up to speed before joining the rotation when first eligible (April 5 against the Marlins). He tossed 58 pitches in a minor-league game Tuesday but will need to get up to 90 pitches before being cleared to join the rotation.

Manager Bud Black confirmed Freeland will start for the Rockies on Opening Day, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.

This comes as no surprise. Freeland will look to build off his breakout 2018 campaign that saw the southpaw compile a 2.85 ERA and 1.25 WHIP across 33 starts (202.1 innings).

Wright has made the Braves' rotation and will start next Sunday's series finale against the Phillies.

Wright entered spring training trying to earn a spot in the Braves' starting rotation, and he's now set to take the mound during the opening series of the season. The 23-year-old posted a 2.51 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 28:8 K:BB over 28.2 innings at Triple-A Gwinnett last season before joining the Braves in September.

Lucchesi will start the Padres' second game of the season Friday against the Giants, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Lucchesi was in the running to start Opening Day for the Padres, but Eric Lauer will instead get the call. The 25-year-old made 26 starts as a rookie in 2018 and had a 4.08 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 145:43 K:BB across 130 innings.

Lauer will start for the Padres on Opening Day.

Lauer will get the ball first for the Padres after dominating through three spring appearances (0.50 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB in 10 scoreless innings). The southpaw, who compiled a 4.34 ERA and 8.0 K/9 in 23 starts (112 innings) as a rookie in 2018, will be followed in the rotation by Joey Lucchesi.