MLB Player News

Sasaki allowed five runs on five hits and two walks while failing to record a strikeout over four innings versus the Diamondbacks on Friday. He did not factor in the decision.

This was Sasaki's first start on five days' rest, which may have contributed to his struggles. Arizona tagged him for three runs, including two home runs, in the first inning, though the Dodgers built up a lead before he exited the contest. He's now allowed six homers, all of which have come over his last five outings after he kept the ball down in three short starts to begin his major-league career. Sasaki is at a 4.72 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 24:22 K:BB over 34.1 innings across eight starts this season. The Dodgers are likely to play it cautious with the 23-year-old right-hander moving forward, especially when the schedule allows for more rest between his starts.

Gausman (3-3) allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out three without walking a batter over 5.1 innings to earn the win Friday over the Mariners.

The Blue Jays' offense was hot early, giving Gausman ample support. He started to fade in the sixth inning, but he didn't give away the lead. While this wasn't Gausman's best work overall, it was enough to earn him a win for the first time in four starts. He also avoided walking a batter for the third time this year, though the seven hits allowed were a season high. The right-hander has posted a 3.97 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 40:12 K:BB through 45.1 innings over eight starts this season. His next start is projected to be at home versus the Rays.

Castillo (3-3) allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings to take the loss versus the Blue Jays on Friday.

Castillo had a brutal first inning, and he struggled again in the third. He was able to settle in a bit and finished with 94 pitches (60 strikes) in five frames, but the damage was already done. He had allowed just one run over 12 innings across his previous two starts, so this was a big step back. Castillo is now at a 3.95 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 33:18 K:BB across 43.1 innings through eight starts this season. The right-hander's next start is projected to be at home versus the Yankees.

Hendricks (1-4) took the loss Friday against the Orioles after allowing three runs on six hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out five.

Hendricks set a season high with five punchouts, but he served up a home run for the sixth time in seven starts this year. The veteran right-hander has done well at limiting hits, as evidenced by his .231 opponent batting average in 2025, but he still owns an uninspiring 5.30 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 21:15 K:BB through 35.2 innings. The soft-throwing Hendricks could have a particularly hard time putting hitters away in his next scheduled start against the Padres, who have the fewest strikeouts (250) in the majors through their first 36 games.

Senzatela (1-6) took the loss Friday against the Padres after allowing eight runs (four earned) on nine hits and two walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out two.

Although Kyle Farmer's third-inning fielding error prevented any of San Diego's four runs in the frame from being earned on Senzatela's ledger, Friday still marked the fifth time in eight starts that latter gave up at least four earned runs. The veteran right-hander has yielded at least six hits in each of his outings this season, failing to fan more than four in any of them. Senzatela now owns a miserable 5.77 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 19:9 K:BB across 39 innings in 2025. He's averaged just 2.1 walks per nine innings this year, which figures to work to his advantage in his next scheduled outing against a Rangers team that has the second-fewest walks (93) in the majors through 38 games, but regardless Senzatela will not be a recommended streaming option.

Vasquez (2-3) earned the win Friday against the Rockies after allowing two runs on six hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out five.

Vasquez cruised Friday, fanning a season-high five and walking a season-low one. The right-hander is still working to improve his ratios after his April 21 start, when he yielded a season-worst six runs in just two innings in Detroit, but he's fired at least five innings while giving up two runs or fewer in five of his other seven outings this year. While Vasquez holds a respectable 3.76 ERA through 38.1 innings, his 1.59 WHIP and 18:25 K:BB are highly alarming. He should still have some deep-league streaming appeal in his next scheduled appearance versus the Angels, who rank last in on-base percentage (.276) through 36 games.

Sugano (4-2) earned the win Friday against the Angels after allowing one run on three hits and no walks in 7.1 innings. He struck out five.

Sugano registered 11 whiffs Friday, which is impressive given his lack of overpowering stuff. It was also another quality start for the Japanese right-hander, who now has four in his last five outings. Although Sugano has just 26 punchouts through 46.1 innings this year, he's hurled at least five innings while giving up two runs or fewer in five of his eight appearances. He'll carry a strong 2.72 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 26:8 K:BB overall into his next scheduled start versus the Twins, but his lack of strikeout upside should continue to limit his fantasy appeal.

Keller will start Saturday's game against the Mets, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Manager Craig Counsell said the Cubs are going to rely on their bullpen to get through Saturday's contest, and Keller will be the one to get things started for the North Siders. The 29-year-old owns a 3.78 ERA and 1.26 WHIP through 16.2 innings this season and isn't likely to last more than one or two frames in what will be his first start of the year. Once he exits, there's a good chance the Cubs turn to Cade Horton to pitch in bulk relief in what will be his MLB debut.

Paddack (1-3) earned the win Friday against the Giants after allowing one run on three hits and no walks in 7.1 innings. He struck out six.

Paddack had a perfect game going through 5.2 innings, but Christian Koss's sixth-inning single spoiled that bid. Even so, it was the longest outing of the year for the veteran right-hander, who also tied his season high with six punchouts. After giving up 12 runs over his first 7.1 innings in 2025, Paddack has tossed at least five innings and yielded two runs or fewer in five of his last six starts. He sports a 2.51 ERA and 26:10 K:BB across his last 32.1 innings, gaining plenty of momentum ahead of his next scheduled outing against the struggling Orioles.

Hicks (1-4) took the loss Friday against the Twins after allowing three runs on seven hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out six.

It was just the second quality start of the season for Hicks, who also fanned at least six for only the third time in eight starts this season. The hard-throwing right-hander has given up at least three runs in six outings already this year, pitching seven innings on a lone occasion. Hicks will take an underwhelming 5.82 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 40:15 K:BB over 43.1 frames into his next scheduled appearance versus the Diamondbacks, who ranked fifth in runs scored (191) entering Friday's action.