MLB Player News

Morton (0-1) gave up four runs on seven hits and one walk over 3.1 innings Friday in a loss to the Blue Jays. He had three strikeouts.

The 41-year-old Morton became the oldest starting pitcher to open a game for the Orioles, but aside from that little bit of history, this was one to forget for Morton. He needed 23 pitches to get through the first inning while allowing two hits in the frame and was at 41 pitches after two innings. He was chased out of the game in the fourth inning after surrendering base hits to the first three batters he faced followed by a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly. Morton departed after 80 pitches, and reliever Albert Suarez allowed two of Morton's inherited runners to score, ultimately saddling him with the loss. Baltimore will look to Morton to eat up innings in 2025, and the right-hander has been durable, averaging 174 innings pitched over the last six full regular seasons. He is tentatively lined up for a home start against Boston next week.

Gausman (1-0) struck out four in six innings, allowing two runs, three hits and one walk in an 8-2 win over the Orioles on Friday

The former Oriole retired the first seven batters he faced before the eighth batter, Jackson Holliday, blasted a solo home run to put Gausman and the Blue Jays behind 1-0. Gausman allowed his second and final run an inning later on a Tyler O'Neill sacrifice fly, but that would be it for Baltimore. Toronto's offense got going in the bottom of the fourth and put up five runs, which was more than enough for the 34-year-old righty to nab the victory. A model of consistency, Gausman will aim for his sixth straight year with an ERA under 4.00 during the 2025 season. He is tentatively lined up for an outing against the Nationals next week.

Gillispie (0-1) surrendered four runs (three earned) on four hits in five innings, with four punchouts and four walks while taking the loss to the Pirates on Friday.

Making his first career start in the show, Gillispie kept the Pirates off the board through three innings and was pitching well, but the tide turned in the fourth inning. The 27-year-old issued back-to-back walks to Oneil Cruz and Joey Bart before veteran Andrew McCutchen delivered an RBI double to left, which scored Cruz. Bart would come around to score on a sacrifice fly a few batters later, and the righty allowed a two-run homer to Cruz an inning later. Gillispie had just eight career innings under his belt before this outing and is filling in for injured Marlins starters Edward Cabrera (finger) and Ryan Weathers (forearm). He is tentatively scheduled to pitch next week against the Mets.

Keller (1-0) picked up the win Friday against the Marlins, striking out four over six innings of work while allowing five hits, one walk and one run.

Keller was in control for the most part and picked up a quality start. The 28-year-old retired 10 Marlins in a row at one point before allowing his only run of the outing, an RBI double off the bat of Graham Pauley. Keller posted a respectable 4.25 ERA to go with a 1.30 WHIP in 2024 and begins 2025 as Pittsburgh's No. 2 starter. The right-hander is lined up for a road start against the Rays his next time out.

Pepiot didn't factor into the decision in Friday's Opening Day win versus the Rockies. He allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out eight over six innings.

With Shane McClanahan (triceps) on the shelf, it was Pepiot who helped launch a new chapter in Rays history with their opener at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees' spring training facility that will be the Rays' home for 2025. Pepiot looked overpowering at times but was wild in the fourth inning. After hitting Michael Toglia with an errant curveball, the righty threw a wild pitch that advanced Toglia another 90 feet. He would eventually cross home plate on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Farmer. However, Tampa's offense came to life late and kept Pepiot out of the loss column. He is tentatively slated to face the Pirates his next time out.

Freeland didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Rays, striking out seven and giving up two hits across six scoreless innings.

Freeland needed just 67 pitches to record 18 outs but was pulled after six innings as he builds up his pitch at the start of the season. The left-hander attacked the strike zone with 53 of his 67 offerings going for strikes. Freeland would like to forget his 2024 campaign in which he produced a bloated 5.24 ERA (his highest since 2019), and this was a great way to begin. His bullpen let him down late, however, costing him the win as the Rockies fell 3-2. Freeland is tentatively lined up for a tough matchup on the road at Philadelphia next week.

Kershaw (toe/knee) will face live hitters Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Saturday will mark the first time Kershaw has thrown against a live opponent since undergoing surgeries on his left knee and left big toe during the offseason. The Dodgers are going to progress the veteran lefty through his rehab slowly, but if all goes according to plan, he'll be able to head out on a rehab assignment by the end of May.

Pfaadt signed a five-year, $45 million contract extension with the Diamondbacks on Friday that includes a club option for 2031 and a mutual option for 2032, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Pfaadt's extension won't kick in until 2026, but it will buy out all three of his arbitration years and possibly his first three years of free agency if all options are exercised. The 26-year-old finished last season with a 4.71 ERA and 1.24 WHIP alongside a 185:42 K:BB in 181.2 innings (32 starts); however, his 3.60 FIP is much more indicative of how well he performed on the mound. His first start of the new year is slated to come Saturday versus the Cubs, against whom he allowed two earned runs over 14 innings with a 13:1 K:BB in two appearances last season.

Bello (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Bello missed all of spring training after straining his right shoulder in mid-February. He's made good progress in his throwing program and is slated to pitch at least two times during his rehab assignment with Worcester. There's optimism in Boston's clubhouse that Bello could return from the 15-day IL when first eligible April 11, which is when the Red Sox would begin a three-game road series against the White Sox.

Gonsolin (back) threw against live hitters Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Gonsolin began the season on the 15-day injured list after suffering a back injury while lifting weights in early March. Friday was the second time he's thrown to hitters, and he told reporters after his session that his next outing will go three innings either in another simulated game or while on a rehab assignment.