MLB Player News

Buehler (1-1) earned the win over the Reds on Saturday, striking out seven over six shutout innings while allowing three hits.

Buehler looked like his old self for the first time since returning from the injured list, allowing just one single over the first four innings and one extra-base hit on the night while posting a season-high seven strikeouts. The right-hander hadn't gone more than four innings in either of his previous two starts to open the campaign and had also allowed at least one home run in each of those outings. However, Buehler might have found his groove Saturday, as he managed to get through six frames on just 78 pitches while also allowing just three hits, which marked a season low.

Ashcraft (3-3) was tagged with the loss against the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing three runs on three hits and three walks over five innings while striking out five.

Ashcraft retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced in the contest but struggled with his command throughout, needing 44 pitches to get through the first two innings. The Dodgers would finally get to him in the fourth after the right-hander walked two of the first three batters to open the frame, eventually leading to two runs coming home for Los Angeles. It marked the third consecutive start in which Ashcraft has allowed three runs and the third time in a row that he's failed to make it through six innings. Additionally, he's now walked three batters in three straight outings and hasn't won a start since April 20 against the Angels (span of five starts).

Flaherty (1-3) allowed two runs on five hits across six innings to earn the win Saturday against the Diamondbacks. He walked two and struck out nine.

Flaherty was sharp as he lowered his ERA to 3.79 and picked up his first win of the season. Despite having only the one win so far, the righty has had a nice bounceback campaign to this point after posting a 4.99 ERA with the Orioles and Cardinals last year. Flaherty has been buoyed by a rise in strikeouts, as he now has an 11.9 K/9 this season, up from 9.2 in 2023. He'll look to keep rolling in his next scheduled outing, which is is penciled in for Thursday against the Blue Jays.

Garcia (elbow) threw 20 pitches in a bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Garcia has been throwing bullpen sessions since April but is purposefully being brought along slowly by the Astros. He'll require a lengthy rehab stint and will remain sidelined until at least halfway through the regular season.

Urquidy (forearm) threw 59 pitches and completed four innings in a rehab appearance with Double-A Corpus Christi on Saturday.

Urquidy was scheduled to complete four innings in the rehab appearance, and he had a successful outing. He threw 38 of his pitches for strikes and reached 93 mph with his fastball. Urquidy could require one more rehab appearance, but he's expected to be activated from the injured list by late May.

Pepiot (leg) threw a three-inning bullpen session ahead of Friday's game against the Blue Jays, MLB.com reports.

Pepiot continues to make progress toward a return, as he's now thrown three successful bullpen sessions. His activation could come as soon as the Rays' upcoming series against the Red Sox, though no final decision has been reached.

Sandoval allowed one run on three hits and three walks while striking out five over six innings in a no-decision versus the Rangers on Saturday.

Sandoval walked multiple batters for just the second time in his last five outings. He was able to limit the damage to an Adolis Garcia solo home run in the sixth inning Saturday, earning his second quality start of 2024. Sandoval has had plenty of ups and downs this year, pitching to a 4.59 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 53:20 K:BB across 51 innings over 10 starts. The southpaw's next start is projected to be at home versus the Guardians.

Verlander (2-2) took the loss against Milwaukee on Saturday, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three batters over 4.2 innings.

Verlander made it through four innings without giving up a run, but things fell apart for him in the fifth. In that frame, he put the first three batters on base via a single and two walks before allowing his first run on a sacrifice fly. Verlander got another out to nearly escape the jam without further damage, but William Contreras sent him to the showers with a three-run blast to center field. Verlander was coming off his best start of the season with seven scoreless innings against Detroit his last time out, though that was preceded by a seven-run, five-inning blowup against the Yankees his previous trip to the mound. He'll try to get back on the right track in his next appearance, which is tentatively lined up to take place in Oakland.

Crawford allowed a run on six hits and two walks while striking out five over 5.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Cardinals on Saturday.

Nolan Gorman's second-inning solo shot was the only run on Crawford's line, but he was an out short of a quality start. It was still a good showing from the 28-year-old, who allowed a season-high four earned runs in his previous start versus the Rays. Crawford has given up one run or fewer in six of his 10 starts this season, pitching to a 2.17 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 57:18 K:BB over 58 innings this season. His next start is projected to be at home versus the Brewers.

Mikolas allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out four over five innings in a no-decision versus the Red Sox on Saturday.

Mikolas threw just 79 pitches (54 strikes) -- it's possible manager Oliver Marmol didn't want the right-hander to go through the order a third time in a close game. The lone run on Mikolas' line was a solo home run by Rafael Devers in the fourth inning. Mikolas has allowed three runs or fewer in six of his outings this season, but he's given up five or more runs in his other four starts. He's at a 5.77 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 39:11 K:BB through 53 innings overall. The veteran is projected for a home start versus the rival Cubs his next time out.