MLB Player News

Freeland (0-1) allowed three runs on nine hits and no walks while striking out three batters over 6.2 innings in a loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday.

Freeland pitched well for the second straight outing, but he got very little run support as Zack Wheeler consistently stifled Colorado's hitters. Though he was tagged with the loss, Freeland notched his second quality start while giving up only one extra-base hit (a double) among the nine knocks against him. The veteran lefty has yielded just three runs across 12.2 frames while posting a 10:0 K:BB over his first two starts of the season. Freeland's home park and mediocre numbers in recent campaigns are valid reasons for fantasy managers to question whether he's worth a pickup, however.

Wheeler (1-0) earned the win over Colorado on Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits and no walks while striking out 10 batters over seven innings.

Wheeler racked up an outstanding 25 whiffs in the outing, the most swings-and-misses he has ever tallied in an MLB game. He held Colorado scoreless until the seventh inning, when Hunter Goodman tagged him for a solo homer that accounted for the Rockies' only run of the contest. Wheeler is off to a fantastic beginning to 2025, allowing just two runs over 13 frames while posting an 18:2 K:BB across two starts. He finished second in NL Cy Young Award voting two of the past four years and could be a contender for the honor again this season given how he's kicked off the campaign.

Rodon took a line drive off the bat of Ketel Marte in the fifth inning of Wednesday night's loss to the Diamondbacks, and while he had a bruise and wrap on his arm, an X-ray on the arm came back clean, Gary Phillips of The New York Daily News reports. Rodon allowed four early runs, but he ultimately retired the last 10 batters he faced to complete six innings, giving up three hits and four walks while striking out five.

Rodon also struggled with his velocity early on, averaging 93 mph for the start after averaging 94.5 mph Opening Day. He was also seen looking at his pitching hand throughout the start. "I tend to look pretty often," Rodon said of his frequent glances toward Yankee Stadium's radar gun, "but definitely down velo today. A little cold, just slow to get moving, but I'm not super worried about it."

Lively (0-1) took the loss against the Padres on Wednesday, allowing four earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four batters in 4.1 frames.

Lively got off to a decent start Wednesday, striking out four of the first nine batters he faced. However, things took a turn for the worse in the third inning after four consecutive hits -- capped off by a Jackson Merrill homer -- gave San Diego a 4-0 lead that it would never relinquish. Lively is now up to a 6.75 ERA through his first two starts of the year but should have a decent chance to bounce back in his next outing, which is tentatively scheduled to come next week against the White Sox.

Cease (1-0) earned the win Wednesday against Cleveland, surrendering one earned run on four hits and a walk while striking out seven batters across 6.1 innings.

Cease took a shutout into the seventh inning but was pulled after a Lane Thomas groundout plated a run for the Guardians. Cease's dominant showing, combined with a four-run third inning from the Padres' offense, allowed the 29-year-old righty to take home his first win of the new season fairly comfortably. He'll look to stay hot next week when he faces the Athletics on the road.

Skubal (0-2) took the loss against the Mariners on Wednesday. He allowed three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out eight across 5.2 innings.

Skubal limited the damage to three runs despite allowing nine baserunners, but the Tigers were unable to generate enough offense to prevent his second straight loss to begin the year. The 28-year-old southpaw has failed to complete six innings in each of his first two starts and has begun the season with a 5.91 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 10.2 innings. Things won't get easier for Skubal, as he's slated to face the Yankees next week at home.

Eflin (1-1) was handed the loss after allowing three runs on eight hits and no walks in six innings Wednesday against Boston. He struck out five.

While Eflin registered a quality start, he was significantly outshined by Garrett Crochet's eight scoreless innings for the Red Sox. Trevor Story tagged Eflin for a solo home run in the second inning, and then the right-hander watched Ceddanne Rafaela and Rafael Devers plate one run apiece in the third frame. On tap for Eflin is a tough matchup early next week in Arizona, where he'll be seeking his third consecutive quality start to open the campaign.

Crochet (1-0) earned the win after throwing eight scoreless innings on four hits and one walk Wednesday against Baltimore. He struck out eight.

After throwing five solid innings in his Red Sox debut Opening Day against Texas, Crochet built on that showing Wednesday by spinning eight shutout frames and scattering four singles for a brilliant performance on the road. The hard-throwing southpaw has allowed just two runs to go with 12 punchouts over 13 innings so far this year. Crochet will look to keep the good times rolling in his next start, which is slated to come at home against Toronto early next week.

Gillispie didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Mets after allowing one run on four hits and no walks in five innings. He struck out six.

Facing a vaunted Mets lineup, Gillispie produced better results than when he gave up four runs in five frames during his first start of the year against Pittsburgh. Other than an RBI double from Pete Alonso in the first inning, it was rather smooth sailing for Gillispie. The 27-year-old right-hander threw just 73 pitches Wednesday, so he'll search for more length in his next scheduled start, which is scheduled to be a road rematch with the Mets early next week.

Castillo (1-1) came away with the win Wednesday against the Tigers. He allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five across seven innings.

Castillo limited the Tigers to three baserunners across the first four innings, but his shutout efforts were lost in the fifth frame when he gave up a solo homer to Trey Sweeney. Castillo gave up a second run in the same frame on a fielder's choice, but he managed to pitch into the seventh inning without much trouble and came away with the quality start and win. Castillo has started the season with a 3.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 9:4 K:BB across 12 innings. He'll look for a second straight win in his next start, which is tentatively slated for next week against the Astros at home.