MLB Player News

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.

Rasmussen did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-4 loss to Atlanta, allowing four hits and one walk with seven strikeouts over five scoreless innings.

Rasmussen was sharp, generating 10 whiffs on 80 pitches and exiting with a 2-0 lead before the Rays' bullpen let it slip away. He has been dominant to open the season, posting a 0.60 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB across 15 innings. The only knock on the 29-year-old so far is his workload, as he has yet to pitch beyond the fifth frame in any of his three starts. Even so, he'll aim to stay hot in a home matchup with the Yankees next week.

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.

Ginn (1-0) came away with the win against the Mets on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out six across 5.1 innings.

Ginn was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas and was named as the starter for Saturday's game. He was able to navigate through some sticky situations through the first five innings, but he couldn't maintain the shutout, giving up a solo home run to Brandon Nimmo in the sixth. Ginn was two outs shy from registering the quality start, but it was still an excellent outing for the 25-year-old right-hander in what was the seventh major-league start in his career. Ginn is slated to start next week on the road against the Brewers.

Sugano didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's game against the Blue Jays. He allowed three runs on eight hits and two walks without a strikeout across 4.2 innings.

Sugano gave up a run in each of the first three innings of Saturday's game, including a solo home run to Anthony Santander in the third frame. Sugano wasn't able to record a strikeout but was just one out shy from being eligible to factor into the decision. The Japanese right-hander has started his major-league career with a 3.86 ERA and 1.57 WHIP across 14 innings while recording only five strikeouts. Sugano is slated to pitch next week against the Guardians at home, when he'll look to capture his second win of 2025.

Francis (1-2) took the loss against the Orioles on Saturday, allowing five runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five across 5.2 innings.

Francis was excellent out of the gates, retiring the first 13 batters faced. However, things turned on their head in the fifth inning when Heston Kjerstad broke up the shutout effort with a two-run home run to center field. Francis came back out for the sixth frame, but he proceeded to be tagged for three more runs (two of which came on a Cedric Mullins double) before being replaced by Yariel Rodriguez. It was a disappointing finish for Francis in what looked to be a quality start, and through three starts he's registered a 4.76 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 17 innings. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, which is tentatively slated for next weekend at home against the Mariners.

Rodriguez (elbow) threw a side session before Saturday's game against Toronto, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Rodriguez tossed his third session Saturday during his recovery from right elbow inflammation. This progression in his throwing program would appear to put him on track to perhaps face live hitters soon, although his next steps have yet to be determined. Rodriguez still needs to go on a minor-league rehab assignment as well, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect to have the hard-throwing right-hander available until sometime in early May at the earliest.

Fitts was removed from Saturday's game against the White Sox due to right shoulder pain, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Fitts had been cruising through his start Saturday, giving up just two hits and a walk while striking out five batters across five shutout frames. He came back out to start the sixth inning but only threw a couple of pitches before grabbing at his underarm/shoulder area. Fitts will return to Boston on Sunday to undergo an MRI on his shoulder to determine the severity of the injury, per Cotillo.

Cecconi (oblique) threw live batting practice Saturday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Cecconi suffered a left oblique strain in mid-March, and he began throwing bullpen sessions at the beginning of April. Now that he's been cleared to face live hitters, he appears to be on the verge of starting up a minor-league rehab assignment, though the Guardians have yet to confirm such plans.