MLB Player News

Perez did not factor into the decision Friday against the Marlins. He surrendered eight hits, three earned runs and two walks over 4.1 innings.

The 24-year-old right-hander failed to get out of the fifth inning for the second time in two starts. He did induce a whopping 17 groundballs over his 73 pitches, and he did just enough to keep the Marlins at bay to the point where the Braves were eventually able to secure their first victory. Perez will need to bolster his overall performance going forward however, as he's posted a 7.00 ERA and 1.78 WHIP this season.

GM Matt Klentak indicated Friday that Velasquez will likely be on an innings limit or pitch limit this season, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Klentak would not commit to any specific number or plan for Velasquez. The 23-year-old righty has never pitched more than 124.2 innings in a season. There were reportedly concerns about Velasquez's health this winter which led to a change in the prospects being included in the Ken Giles deal, but Velasquez and the Phillies have maintained he is healthy. Velasquez is an exciting young arm, but his upside will be capped by the number of innings he is allowed to throw in 2016.

Greinke turned in his best start of the early season, allowing two runs on six hits with five strikeouts and one walk in 7.2 innings Friday, but he picked up a no-decision against the Padres.

Arizona tied the game in the seventh and pushed across the winning run in the ninth. Greinke was much more himself Friday and only allowed one extra-base hit, but unfortunately, he is still looking for his first victory as a Diamondback. At least fantasy owners can probably chalk up his first two rough outings to the fact he had the flu during the first week of the season.

Kershaw outdueled fellow lefty Madison Bumgarner, as he allowed two earned runs on five hits over seven innings against the Giants on Friday and improved to 2-0. Kershaw also struck out six and walked none.

The Dodgers ace allowed two runs over eight innings in a start Saturday versus San Francisco, but he received a no-decision. so it was good to see him pick up the victory Friday. Kershaw continued his stellar start to the season, throwing 73 of his 107 pitches for strikes against the Giants. He also recorded first-pitch strikes to 23 of the 27 batters he faced and induced 13 swing-and-misses. Kershaw is on par to be an elite option once again in 2016.

Martinez (2-0) allowed three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out six over seven innings, and he earned the win Friday against the Reds.

Martinez gave up a three-run homer to Joey Votto in the third inning to temporarily make the game close, but by the time he left the contest, the Cardinals had a 12-3 lead. He's now posted quality starts in each of his two outings to start the season, although he's faced a pair of the weaker offenses in the National League in the Braves and Reds. He'll make his next start Wednesday against the Cubs.

Melville (0-1) allowed seven runs, six of which were earned, on six hits and two walks while striking out two over three innings, taking the loss Friday at the Cardinals.

Melville gave up a pair of three-run bombs to Matt Holliday and Aledmys Diaz which led to his early exit. After two starts, he now has allowed 18 baserunners over seven innings of work. Once the Reds start getting pitchers back from the disabled list, he'll likely be removed from the rotation. But for now, his next start has yet to be determined.

Hendricks allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits, he did not walk a batter, and struck out five over six innings of a 6-1 loss to the Rockies on Friday afternoon.

Hendricks (1-1, 2.84 ERA) suffered from some timely Rockies hitting and some shoddy defense behind him which is never a good formula for success. He'll try to get back on the winning track when he takes on the Cardinals in St. Louis next time out.

DeGrom (back) is now considered unlikely to start Tuesday against the Phillies, ESPN.com reports.

Reports from earlier Friday suggested deGrom was on track to return Tuesday, but deGrom only felt "OK" during Friday's bullpen, not good enough to complete a full session. A DL decision is likely coming soon for deGrom, who is expected to be replaced on the mound once again by Logan Verrett on Tuesday.

Manager Craig Counsell confirmed Friday that Davies will be called up to start Sunday's game against the Pirates, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The Brewers will need a fifth starter this weekend for the first time this season, so they will bring up Davies and add him to the rotation. He will remain in the rotation until Matt Garza (shoulder) is healthy, and possibly beyond. Davies will be tested in his 2016 big league start: he faced the Pirates twice last season and did not fare well, giving up 10 earned runs in a combined eight innings.

DeGrom (back) will throw a flat ground session Saturday and bullpen session Sunday and is expected to pitch Tuesday against the Phillies, Adam Rubin of ESPN.com reports.

DeGrom is repeating the same rehab activities he did on Thursday and Friday, and it appears he will be back in the rotation by next week barring any setbacks. The 27-year-old gave up just one run in six innings in his first start of the year and will look to get back into the swing of things against a struggling Philadelphia offense Tuesday.