MLB Player News

After throwing a 50-pitch live batting practice session Saturday, Pivetta (elbow) noted that he was able to throw all his pitches and was happy with his outing, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Pivetta continues to make progress in his rehab from a right elbow flexor strain that landed him on the 15-day IL on April 9. Before landing on the IL, Pivetta went 1-1 over two starts, allowing one run on eight hits while striking out 13 over 11 frames.

Sale (3-1) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on two hits and a walk over seven innings in a 6-2 victory over the Guardians. He struck out six.

The veteran lefty has been healthy and dominant to kick off 2024, and he completely shut down the Cleveland offense after serving up a leadoff homer to Steven Kwan. Sale has worked seven-plus innings in three straight starts for the first time since June 2018, and he's allowed three runs or less in four of his five outings so far for Atlanta. Sale will take a 3.69 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 33:7 K:BB through 31.2 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Seattle.

Allen (3-1) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on five hits and two walks over 4.2 innings as the Guardians were downed 6-2 by Atlanta. He struck out five.

The 25-year-old southpaw was able to keep the ball in the park after serving up four homers across his last two starts, but there weren't many other positive takeaways from this performance. Allen tossed only 48 of 91 pitches for strikes, and he's been tagged for at least three runs in five of his six outings to begin the season. He'll carry a 5.46 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 26:11 K:BB through 31.1 innings into his next start, which lines up to come on the road next week in Houston.

Maldonado came away with a no-decision in Friday's 3-1 loss to the Nationals, allowing three hits over three scoreless innings. He struck out two without walking a batter.

Promoted from Triple-A Jacksonville earlier in the day for his big-league debut, Maldonado was expected to work only as an opener while Kyle Tyler handled bulk relief duties. Instead, Maldonado gave Miami an efficient 36 pitches (23 strikes) and left the mound with his team ahead 1-0. The 26-year-old righty has been deployed almost exclusively as a reliever in the minors -- his two other starts as a professional came back in 2021 at Rookie ball -- but this performance might encourage the Marlins to give him another turn in the rotation and try stretching him out a bit more considering their lack of healthy alternatives.

Williams came away with a no-decision in Friday's 3-1 win over the Marlins, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out only one.

The veteran right-hander continues to be used very judiciously by the Nationals, but it's hard to argue with the results. Williams threw 80 pitches (46 strikes) Friday and got lifted before most Miami hitters got a third look at him, and he's completed six innings only once in his first five starts this season. Despite those limits, as well as a poor 18.8 percent strikeout rate, he's delivered a 2.70 ERA and 1.05 WHIP through 26.2 innings. He faces a tougher test in his next outing, however, which lines up for a road start next week against the Rangers.

Gil surrendered five earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out six batters across five innings during Friday's loss to Milwaukee. He didn't factor into the decision.

Though he was able to limit his struggles with walking batters, Gil's five runs and six hits allowed represented season highs for the 25-year-old, who now owns a 4.01 ERA and 1.34 WHIP through five starts. He's lined up to face another high-octane offense in Baltimore on Wednesday, and he could be at risk of getting hit around again if his command doesn't improve.

Rea gave up five earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four batters across six innings during Milwaukee's win over the Yankees on Friday. He did not factor into the decision.

All five of the Yankees' runs against Rea came via the long ball, as Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo both hit solo shots in the first two innings, and Trent Grisham blasted a three-run homer in the fourth. Rea still boasts a 3.25 ERA through 27.2 innings despite his poor showing Friday, though his fantasy value could take a significant hit if he's unable to bounce back in his next start -- tentatively scheduled for Wednesday against the Rays.

Butto (0-1) took the loss Friday as the Mets fell, 4-2, to the Cardinals, giving up four runs on four hits and three walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out four.

Homers by Alec Burleson in the second inning and Willson Contreras in the third accounted for all the damage off Butto, and were the first long balls he's served up this season. The right-hander tossed 94 pitches (56 strikes) before exiting, and while his 2.86 ERA and 1.09 WHIP through 22 innings look sharp, he's walking a tightrope with his control and command -- Butto has issued at least three walks in three of his four starts, and he's hit a batter with a pitch in three straight. The 26-year-old will look for his first win of 2024 when he takes the mound next week at home against the Cubs.

Eovaldi didn't factor into the decision during Friday's victory over Cincinnati, giving up one earned run on three hits and five walks while striking out eight batters across six innings.

Coming off back-to-back losses, the 34-year-old righty found himself working from behind early after Elly De La Cruz walked and later stole home to score the first run of the game in the first inning. Eovaldi was able to regroup quickly and stifle the Reds' bats for the next five frames, though his struggles with limiting walks carried over from his previous start. He now owns a 3.00 ERA and 1.12 WHIP alongside a 36:17 K:BB through 36 innings in six games, and he'll look to pick up his second win of the season Thursday against the Nationals.

Ashcraft allowed one earned run on seven hits and no walks while striking out three batters across 6.1 innings during Friday's loss against Texas. He didn't factor into the decision.

Ashcraft needed to bounce back nicely Friday after giving up five runs to the Angels in five innings during his last start. He managed to do just that, as his lone blemish came in the second inning via an Evan Carter solo home run. A lack of production from the Reds' offense forced Ashcraft to settle for a no-decision, and he will carry a 4.40 ERA and 1.29 WHIP into his next start -- currently projected to come Wednesday in San Diego.