MLB Player News

Kelly (leg) is listed as the Diamondbacks' scheduled starting pitcher for Saturday's game against Atlanta at Chase Field.

Kelly was lifted in the sixth inning of his latest start Sunday after experiencing right leg cramping, but the issue never appeared to be serious enough to keep him from making his next turn through the rotation. Since being torched for nine earned runs over 3.2 innings in an April 3 loss to the Yankees, Kelly has been sharp over his last three starts, going 2-0 with a 2.04 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB across 17.2 frames.

Springs (hamstring) is listed as the Athletics' scheduled starting pitcher for Saturday's game against the White Sox in Sacramento.

Springs exited in the third inning Sunday against the Brewers due to right hamstring tightness, but follow-up testing didn't turn up anything concerning. After completing his between-starts bullpen session without incident, Springs will be ready to take the hill on five days' rest. Acquired from the Rays in the offseason, Springs has gotten off to a rough start to his tenure with the Athletics, going 3-2 with a 5.64 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 8.7 K-BB% in 22.1 innings through his first five outings.

Walker (shoulder) is listed as the Phillies' scheduled starter for Friday's game against the Cubs in Chicago.

Walker developed some right shoulder stiffness Saturday against the Marlins, but the 32-year-old checked out fine following his between-starts bullpen session and will be ready to toe the rubber on five days' rest. Though he was expected to begin the season in the bullpen, Walker ended up winning a spot in the Opening Day rotation after Ranger Suarez (back) landed on the injured list. Walker has fared well through four starts, turning in a 2.29 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 19.2 innings.

Burke is expected to serve as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Tyler Gilbert in Friday's game against the Athletics in Sacramento, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The White Sox's Opening Day starter began the season on a high note, holding the Angels scoreless over six innings en route to a win. Things have gone south for the young right-hander ever since, with Burke going 0-3 with an 8.62 ERA, 1.91 WHIP and 12:9 K:BB in 15.2 innings over his subsequent four outings. White Sox manager Will Venable will deploy Burke behind an opener in the hopes that the arrangement yields better results, and working in relief should give Burke a better chance of securing a win than if he were to be used as a traditional starter.

Freeland (finger) is listed as the Rockies' probable pitcher for Friday's game against the Reds in Colorado.

Freeland suffered a blister during his most recent start this past Sunday against the Nationals, but he'll be ready to pitch on his normal four days' rest after completing his between-starts bullpen session without incident. The lefty enters Friday's outing having gone 0-4 with a 4.85 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 26 innings through five starts.

Burnes allowed three runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks while striking out eight in 5.1 innings Thursday against Tampa Bay. He didn't factor into the decision.

It was a nice performance overall by the star right-hander, though he couldn't stick around long enough to get his third straight quality start. Burnes began the game with three clean innings and yielded a season-low three hits and one earned run, also tying a season high with eight punchouts. He committed a fielding error in the sixth inning, so both of the runs allowed in the frame were unearned, much to the delight of fantasy managers. Burnes still has work to do to improve his 4.05 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 25:12 K:BB over 26.2 innings (five starts), but things won't get much easier in his next scheduled outing at New York against the Mets.

Rasmussen allowed four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five in five innings Thursday against Arizona. He didn't factor into the decision.

Although Rasmussen did yield a season-high four runs and five hits, he still pitched at least five innings in his fifth straight start to open the campaign. The right-hander also gave up his first homer, a leadoff solo shot in the fifth frame to Tim Tawa, but it's been a steady beginning to the season overall. Rasmussen will be looking to reach the 90-pitch marker for the first time this year in his next start, which is poised to come versus the Royals at home. He boasts a 2.10 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 27:6 K:BB over 25.2 innings.

DeGrom didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Athletics after allowing two runs on six hits and no walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out six.

DeGrom was able to keep the ball in the yard at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park, and this was his second start of the year in which he didn't lend a free pass. The star right-hander also induced 12 whiffs Thursday. The Rangers are being careful with the oft-injured deGrom's workload, as he's reached the 90-pitch threshold in just one his first five outings. DeGrom holds a strong 3.33 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 26:7 K:BB across 27 innings ahead of his next scheduled appearance, currently set to come at home against these same Athletics.

Ginn didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Rangers after allowing three runs on six hits and two walks in 3.2 innings. He struck out two.

The long ball proved to be a major problem for Ginn, who gave up a career-high three home runs Thursday. It was also the shortest outing of the year so far for the right-hander, and he recorded a season-low two punchouts. Ginn could have some streaming value in fantasy against softer lineups, as he entered play with an elite 61.5 percent groundball rate, but he has a 4.61 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB over 13.2 innings (three starts). He doesn't shape up as an appealing option in his next projected outing in Texas for a rematch with the Rangers.

Hart was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Thursday.

Hart has had an up-and-down start to the season while in the Padres' rotation, but the result is a 6.00 ERA and 1.38 WHIP across 21 innings. The team's exact plans are unclear, though Stephen Kolek was in competition for a rotation spot during spring training and is on the same starting schedule as Hart.