MLB Player News

Priester didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Rockies after allowing one run on five hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out four.

Other than giving up a leadoff solo homer to Brenton Doyle in the first inning, Priester kept Colorado's bats in check in a tough spot at hitter-friendly Coors Field in his Brewers debut. Priester is helping fill in for the injured Nestor Cortes (elbow) among other sidelined starters, although the right-hander figures to be unlikely to maintain a rotation spot once Milwaukee's pitching staff gets healthier. As it stands, the former top prospect is tentatively scheduled to next face the Tigers at home early next week.

Cannon (0-2) took the loss Thursday against the Guardians, allowing six runs on seven hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out six.

It was a tough outing for Cannon, who allowed a pair of two-run homers to Kyle Manzardo and Steven Kwan in the first and third innings. After blanking the Angels over five innings to start his season, Cannon has now allowed nine runs over nine innings in his last two outings. The 24-year-old right-hander will look to get back on track in his next start, currently scheduled for next week against the Athletics.

Williams (1-0 ) earned the win Thursday over the White Sox, allowing a run on three hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out seven.

Williams allowed a run in the first inning before settling down to blank the White Sox over his final four frames, retiring 12 of the last 13 batters he faced. Williams lowered his ERA to 3.46 with a 1.38 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB through his first three starts (13 innings) this year. He'll look to build on Thursday's outing in his next start, tentatively lined up for next week in Baltimore.

Littell (0-3) took the loss Thursday against the Angels, allowing seven runs on eight hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out four.

Littell fell victim to the home-run ball Thursday -- he gave up a solo shot to Taylor Ward on his second pitch of the game before the Angels added five runs on three homers off Littell in the fifth. The 29-year-old Littell has now dropped three straight starts to open the year, posting a 6.88 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB across 17 innings. He's currently lined up for a home matchup with the Red Sox in his next outing.

Soriano (2-1) earned the win Thursday over the Rays, allowing one run on five hits and three walks over 7.2 innings. He struck out four.

Soriano was efficient Thursday, working into the eighth inning on just 93 pitches. He also got more than enough run support, as the Angels cruised to an 11-1 victory. Soriano's gotten off to a nice start this season, pitching to a 2.70 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB through his first three starts (20 innings). The right-hander is currently lined up for a road matchup with the Rangers in his next outing.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker indicated Thursday that the team plans for Strider (elbow) to make his season debut next week, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Strider yielded one run while striking out 13 over 5.1 innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, getting his pitch count up to 90. While Snitker would not officially commit to Strider coming off the 15-day injured list next week, he could just be waiting to make sure the righty bounces back well from the outing Friday. Strider could start as soon as Tuesday in Toronto, but he's been pitching on five days' rest during his rehab assignment, so Wednesday might be the likelier target date.

The Twins could recall Matthews and install him as part of a temporary six-man rotation, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

David Festa is expected to be promoted to start Friday, filling the rotation spot vacated by Pablo Lopez (hamstring). However, Matthews is a candidate to get a look in the majors soon as well as the Twins look to build in some extra rest for their other starters. Matthews has been dynamite in his first two starts with Triple-A St. Paul this season, allowing two runs with a 13:1 K:BB over 10 innings. It's not yet clear when he might start for the Twins, but he's a good candidate to stash in fantasy leagues where he's still available.

Gibson struck out four batters and allowed one earned run on three hits and no walks over 3.1 innings in his season debut for Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

Due to his late signing in spring training, Gibson didn't have enough time to get fully stretched out prior to Opening Day, prompting the Orioles to option him to Triple-A. Gibson remained at the Orioles' spring facility in Florida for the first two weeks of the minor-league season to continue ramping up before he was cleared to report to Norfolk for his 2025 debut. The 37-year-old righty was efficient in the outing, spotting 33 of his 47 pitches for strikes. He'll likely need to build up to around 70 to 80 pitches before becoming a rotation option for Baltimore, so expect him to make at least two or three more starts at Triple-A. With Zach Eflin (lat) landing on the injured list Wednesday and lacking a clear timeline for a return, Gibson should have a fairly clear path to a rotation spot once he's deemed ready to join the big club, likely in late April or early May.

Strider (elbow) allowed one earned run on three hits and two walks while striking out 13 batters over 5.1 innings on Thursday in his third rehab start for Triple-A Gwinnett.

Just as Atlanta had planned heading into the day, Strider reached 90 pitches (62 strikes) in Thursday's outing and breezed through the start in dominant fashion. He struck out the first six batters he faced and punched out 13 of 21 batters overall while inducing 21 total swinging strikes and maxing out at 97 miles per hour with his fastball. Suffice to say, the 26-year-old right-hander looks ready to return from the 15-day injured list, and all that's left is for Atlanta to decide when to insert him into the rotation for his 2025 debut. He has been pitching on five days' rest during his rehab assignment, so if that trend holds, Strider would be lined up to pitch for Atlanta in Wednesday's series finale in Toronto.

The Mariners optioned Castillo to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.

Castillo's time with the big-league club was less than spectacular, as he'll head back to the minors after giving up seven runs (six earned) over seven total innings alongside a 5:7 K:BB. With George Kirby (shoulder) not expected back until May, the Mariners are again left with an opening in their rotation, and it's currently unclear who will be chosen next to fill the gap.