MLB Player News

Hicks (1-1) took the loss Saturday as the Giants fell 8-4 to the Yankees, coughing up seven runs on eight hits and three walks over four-plus innings. He struck out three.

After a strong start to the season, Hicks crashed back to earth in the Bronx as the Yankees scored twice in the first inning before chasing the right-hander from the game as part of a five-run fifth. Hicks got the hook after 94 pitches (55 strikes), but he did at least manage to keep the ball in the park. He'll take a 5.87 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB through 15.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to be another tough road matchup next week in Philadelphia.

Mikolas (0-2) took the loss Saturday, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks over five innings as the Cardinals were downed 4-1 by the Phillies. He struck out five.

It was a respectable bounce-back effort from Mikolas after he got tagged for nine runs (eight earned) in only 2.2 frames by the Red Sox in his last trip to the mound, but a lack of run support kept the veteran right-hander out of the win column. Mikolas will take a 9.00 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 10:5 K:BB through 13 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road next weekend against the Mets.

Sanchez (1-0) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one run on eight hits and two walks over 6.1 innings in a 4-1 victory over the Cardinals. He struck out three.

The southpaw took a shutout into the sixth inning before Luken Baker rapped a one-out double -- the only extra-base hit off Sanchez on the afternoon -- and was brought home by a Willson Contreras single. Sanchez still walked away with his first win and first quality start of the season, having tossed 64 of 95 pitches for strikes. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Giants.

Heaney (0-1) took the loss Saturday against the Reds, allowing four runs on three hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out six.

All of the damage against Heaney came in the fourth inning Saturday. The left-hander would hit back-to-back batters with two outs before Elly De La Cruz launched a grand slam on a 3-2 pitch. While Heaney would turn in a solid outing otherwise, the Pirates couldn't overcome the early 4-0 deficit, sticking him with his first loss. The 33-year-old Heaney now has a 3.00 ERA with a 0.89 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB through his first three starts (18 innings) with Pittsburgh. He'll look to get in the win column in his next outing, currently lined up for next week against Washington.

Williams (1-1) came away with the loss against the Marlins on Saturday. He gave up six runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out two across 4.2 innings.

After getting through the first inning, Williams gave up the first run of the game in the second on a Matt Mervis solo home run to right field. Williams proceeded to give up two runs in the third inning (one of which came on a wild pitch), and after being replaced by Colin Poche in the fifth, he was tagged with two more runs on a Griffin Conine double. Williams generated only five whiffs on 81 pitches (49 strikes), but Saturday marked only the second time since the start of the 2024 regular season that he failed to complete five innings. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, which is tentatively slated for next week on the road against the Pirates.

Abbott (1-0) earned the win Saturday over the Pirates, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five.

A rotator cuff strain delayed the start of Abbott's season, though the left-hander certainly appeared healthy Saturday, turning in a stellar effort against Pittsburgh. He held the Pirates to a lone single through four innings before Alexander Canario led off the fifth with a home run, the lone blemish on Abbott's line. The 25-year-old Abbott went 10-10 last season with a 3.72 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 114:52 K:BB across 138 innings. He's currently slated to face the Orioles on the road in his next start.

Alcantara (2-0) got the win against the Nationals on Saturday, allowing four runs on five hits and four walks while striking out one batter across 5.2 innings.

Alcantara went nine up, nine down through the first three innings, but he ran into trouble in the fourth when he allowed three runs after loading up the bases. He gave up a fourth run in the sixth inning on an Amed Rosario RBI single, and despite generating only three whiffs on 87 pitches (53 strikes), Alcantara was provided enough run support from the Marlins' offense to come away with his second win of the season. Alcantara has posted a 4.70 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 12:8 K:BB across 15.1 innings to begin the season, and his next start is tentatively slated for next week at home against the Diamondbacks.

Smith-Shawver did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-4 win against the Rays, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over five innings.

Smith-Shawver tossed 55 of 91 pitches for strikes while inducing 10 whiffs, including seven on his splitter. An Atlanta comeback ultimately prevented the 22-year-old from falling to 0-3, and this was actually his best outing of the season. He'll take a 4.61 ERA, 1.98 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB across 13.2 innings into a favorable matchup with the Twins next weekend.

Peterson (1-1) took the loss Saturday against the Athletics, allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out five across six innings. He did not issue a walk.

Peterson started out strong by retiring eight of the first nine batters he faced, but he ran into trouble in the fourth inning when he gave up four hits and two runs. He was able to recover to get through the next two innings without issue and finished his outing tossing 89 pitches (66 strikes), with 19 first-pitch strikes and eight whiffs, though the 29-year-old southpaw did not receive enough run support from his teammates to avoid the loss. Peterson has had a strong start to the season, registering a 2.70 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB across 16.2 innings. He's tentatively slated to face off against the Cardinals at home next week.

The Reds activated Abbott (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Saturday.

Abbott began the season on the injured list due to a rotator cuff strain in his left shoulder that put an early end to his 2024 campaign. He made two rehab starts with Triple-A Louisville and has progressed enough in his throwing program to make his 2025 regular-season debut Saturday against the Pirates. Will Benson was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Abbott on the 26-man roster.