MLB Player News

Strider (elbow) struck out six batters and allowed one earned run on two hits and one walk over three innings in his first rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Gwinnett.

Since he resumed pitching in games March 17, Strider has dazzled in all three of his outings while he bounces back from an internal brace procedure on his right elbow, which he underwent April 5, 2024. Over his two spring training appearances, Strider posted a 10:1 K:BB while allowing just two hits and one walk across four innings, and he continued to mow down hitters with Gwinnett on Saturday while upping his pitch count to 60. Atlanta will presumably want to see Strider get his count into the 75-to-85 range before activating him from the 15-day injured list, so he may be just one or two rehab starts away from making his 2025 big-league debut.

Lowder (forearm) is throwing off a mound in Arizona, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

After missing all of spring training with a forearm strain, Lowder has taken the next steps in his recovery. He was scheduled to throw again Sunday and will continue to ramp up. The right-hander may eventually pitch in the majors this season, but Lowder is expected to begin 2025 at Triple-A Louisville.

Pallante (1-0) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks over five innings against the Twins on Sunday. He struck out three and earned the win.

Pallante gave up one run through three frames before serving up a solo shot to Willi Castro in the fourth inning. By that point, the Cardinals had already given Pallante a heavy cushion by scoring eight runs in the first three innings. He tossed 46 of 78 pitches for strikes and forced 13 whiffs, including seven with his fastball, which averaged 95.2 mph. Pallante is currently in line to start in Boston next weekend.

Feltner did not factor into the decision in Sunday's loss at Tampa Bay, pitching five innings while allowing two runs on four hits and one walk. He struck out five.

The Colorado right-hander allowed both runs on a homer to Brandon Lowe in the first inning but settled in after that, yielding just two hits over his next 4.1 innings. Feltner managed to generate a solid 13 whiffs across 83 total pitches, as his fastball averaged 94.2 mph, down slightly from 94.6 mph last season. Most importantly, after posting a 6.8 BB/9 in 14.2 spring innings, he issued just one free pass in this appearance. Feltner is currently slated to make his next start against the Athletics at home next weekend.

Smith-Shawver (0-1) took the loss Sunday against San Diego, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out four.

Smith-Shawver did a good job limiting the Padres to just two runs, though he lasted only four innings after throwing 77 pitches. Smith-Shawver won the final spot in Atlanta's rotation thanks to an impressive showing in spring training, but he came into the year with just 29.2 innings of regular-season experience under his belt. The 22-year-old right-hander will look for better results in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week against Miami.

Pivetta (1-0) earned the win Sunday over Atlanta, allowing just one hit over seven scoreless innings. He struck out four.

The Padres couldn't have asked for more out of Pivetta in his first start in San Diego, as the right-hander held a powerful Atlanta offense to a lone third-inning single en route to a shutout victory. The 32-year-old Pivetta signed with San Diego late in the offseason after posting a 4.14 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 172:36 K:BB across 145.2 innings with the Red Sox last year. Pivetta will look to keep rolling in his second start, currently scheduled for next week on the road against the Cubs.

Martinez (0-1) took the loss against the Giants on Sunday, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk with five strikeouts over six innings.

Martinez was locked in a pitcher's duel with Robbie Ray through four innings but gave up two homers and four runs in his final two frames. He generated just seven whiffs but threw 54 of 83 pitches for strikes while mixing in six different offerings. The 34-year-old posted a solid 3.10 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 142.1 innings in 2024 and holds added value in fantasy leagues with dual eligibility as both a starting pitcher and relief pitcher.

Ray (1-0) earned the win against the Reds on Sunday, allowing three runs on three hits and one walk with four strikeouts over 5.1 innings.

Ray was flawless through five innings but surrendered a two-run homer in the sixth, one pitch after a pitch-clock violation, and couldn't finish the frame. Despite that, it was an encouraging outing, as the former Cy Young winner looked healthy and generated nine swinging strikes on 78 pitches. He's set for a favorable home matchup against the Mariners next weekend.

Heaney took a no-decision Sunday against the Marlins. He struck out two over five innings while allowing one run on four hits and a walk.

The veteran southpaw was sharp in his first start of 2025, throwing 79 pitches and yielding a solitary run on a Nick Fortes double in the second inning. After inking a one-year deal with Pittsburgh on Feb. 20, Heaney had a shortened spring training, so was still stretching out in this appearance. This outing was a welcome sight, as he endured a brutal spring training, pitching to a 9.49 ERA and 1.86 WHIP over 12.1 innings. Heaney will look to keep his season on track in his upcoming start against a former team, the Yankees, at home next weekend.

Meyer did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 3-2 win over Pittsburgh, pitching 5.2 innings while allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk. He struck out seven.

The 26-year-old right-hander was impressive in his first outing of the season, tossing 93 pitches and generating 12 whiffs while falling one out short of a quality start. After averaging 94.1 mph on his fastball in 2024, Meyer demonstrated increased velocity in this appearance, posting a 95.6 mph average on the pitch. The 2020 first-round pick produced a solid 3.21 ERA with a 11:2 K:BB across 14 innings in the Grapefruit League and looks poised for a year that matches his draft pedigree. Meyer currently lines up to make his second start at Atlanta next weekend.