MLB Player News

Ray (1-1) allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five over four innings to take the loss Friday against the Rockies.

Ray allowed four home runs while his offense provided him no run support, leading to his first loss of the year. After starting the season with three strong outings in which he allowed no more than two runs in any game, he's now allowed 10 runs over his last seven innings to raise his ERA to 4.97. He'll make his next start Thursday in Miami.

Matz tossed six shutout innings, allowing seven hits, and walking three, while striking out four as the Mets decimated the Giants 13-1 Friday night.

After being shelled in his first start, Matz (3-1) has now held opponents to just a pair of runs over his last 19.1 innings. He needed 110 pitches (71 for strikes) to make it through six innings in this one, and the seven hits and three walks stand out, but with a huge lead, throwing strikes can make a pitcher somewhat more hittable. He'll try to keep things rolling with a favorable match-up against the Braves at home next time out.

Strasburg (4-0) allowed two runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out nine over seven innings to earn the win Friday at the Cardinals.

After allowing a pair of runs in the first inning, Strasburg settled down and didn't allow a run in his final six innings of work. He's now allowed two or fewer runs in four of his five starts, and he boasts a 2.25 ERA to go along with a 1.00 WHIP. He'll make his next start Wednesday at the Royals.

Nicasio spun seven shutout innings, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out eight in a 4-1 victory against the Reds on Friday night.

Nicasio (3-2) was clearly on his game throwing 63 of 97 pitches for strikes as he cruised through seven innings. After creating a lot of buzz with an eye-popping spring, he has been somewhat inconsistent in the regular season. It's all about throwing strikes as he has walked nine over eight innings in two sub-par outings while issuing just three free passes over 19 innings in three quality starts.

Asher was promoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday.

The 24-year-old hasn't been able to miss bats at an acceptable clip since joining the Phillies organization last season, and this year has been no different, as he had 16 strikeouts in 25.1 innings at Double-A. He will be an option to join the Phillies' rotation at some point this year, but the fantasy upside will be minimal.

Senzatela was placed on the 7-day DL with an undisclosed injury on April 20 by Double-A Hartford, Josh Norris of Baseball America reports.

Senzatela "struggled to get loose" in his April 14 start and was placed on the DL a few days later. The 21-year-old currently sits at a 4.50 ERA after a great spring in which he posted a 1.80 ERA over 10.0 innings. It is uncertain when Senzatela will return.

Marquez is 2-1 with a 1.71 ERA in four starts with Double-A Hartford this season.

Marquez, thought to be one of Colorado's top pitching prospects, is off to a fantastic start with 18 strikeouts and just four earned runs allowed. The Rockies may need the 21-year-old's arm soon; their pitchers currently have a league-worst 5.93 ERA.

Maeda (3-1) put up his worst start in the majors so far Thursday, allowing four runs on seven hits and a walk over 6.2 innings in a loss to the Marlins. He struck out five.

The Japanese rookie had another gem going until the seventh inning, when he gave up three hits and a run, got yanked from the game, and had to watch reliever Pedro Baez let two inherited runners score. Despite the bad turn for his ERA (all the way up to 1.41, tragically), this start has to be viewed as a continuation of his success early on in the majors. Maeda looks like he's in for quite the campaign.

Wacha (2-1) suffered the loss Thursday in Arizona despite striking out nine while giving up three runs on five hits and two walks in seven innings.

After Wacha recorded zero strikeouts in his last start, he recovered with a season high in whiffs, but also gave up his first two homers of the year. The 24-year-old righty has had some bad luck with BABIP and strand rate in the early going, but has nonetheless been pretty decent outside of his rough first start. Wacha may not be blowing the world away right now, but his combination of solid production and upside makes for a strong fantasy asset.

Nola (1-2) threw seven scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out seven against the Nationals on Thursday. He did not factor in the decision.

Nola's counterpart, Tanner Roark, was equally as good Thursday which left him no place in the decision despite a phenomenal performance. The 22-year-old was as efficient as it gets, needing just 77 pitches to get through seven frames. Thursday was a remarkable improvement from two weeks ago when the Nationals lit Nola up for seven runs in five innings. If the 2014 first-rounder can make adjustments against hitters like he showed Thursday, then the sky is the limit for the righty.