MLB Player News

Gallen threw a career-high-tying 40 curveballs in Monday's loss to Colorado, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Gallen ran counter to what starters normally do in Coors Field; pitchers tend to stay away from breaking stuff because the altitude limits the break. "Just knowing what I've done here and how I've had success, it seems that my curveball tends to play up a little bit here," Gallen said. "I just felt like I was getting some pretty good responses from the hitter so we just kind of stuck with that. [Coors is] a place where I try not to get beat with my third and fourth pitches." Gallen was heavy on the four-seamer and curve, throwing 87 of them among his 108 pitches, and fanned a season-high 10 batters in a no-decision.

Assad pitched five-plus innings against San Diego on Monday, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out seven batters in a no-decision.

The Cubs staked Assad to an 8-0 lead through four frames, and he appeared well on his way to a win after completing five scoreless innings. However, the right-hander gave up a two-run homer to Jake Cronenworth before being pulled in the sixth, and the Padres went on to score five more runs in that frame along with two in the eighth to pull out an improbable comeback victory. Assad's overall line was pretty decent -- he struck out seven and allowed just six baserunners -- though he needed 104 pitches to get 15 outs. He figures to get at least a few more turns in the rotation to try to nail down a permanent starting role with Jameson Taillon (back) not yet ready to make his 2024 debut and Justin Steele (hamstring) out until May.

Darvish pitched three innings, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four batters in a no-decision against the Cubs on Monday.

All of the damage on the scoreboard against Darvish came in the second inning, when he retired the first two batters he faced before allowing six straight Cubs to reach base in a four-run outburst. The veteran hurler was pulled after three frames with San Diego down 4-0, but a late Padres offensive surge took him off the hook for his second loss. Darvish logged a season-low three innings in the contest while giving up a season-high four runs, so it's safe to say that this was his worst outing of the campaign so far. He's still pitched pretty well overall though, as he holds a 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB through four starts covering 18.2 frames.

Snell (0-1) took the loss against Washington on Monday, pitching three innings and allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out five batters.

Snell did well enough in the strikeout category and didn't allow any extra-base hits, but the control issues that were really his only flaw last year resurfaced in his first game as a Giant. The left-hander threw just 39 of 72 pitches for strikes and, unlike during his Cy Young 2023 campaign, he couldn't navigate around the free passes he issued. All of the damage against Snell came in the second inning, when he gave up three runs after walking two of the first three batters he faced. Snell's strikeout potential and history of success should make him a must-start option in fantasy every time he takes the mound, but the control issues are enough to make managers worry about his ability to come close to last year's level of excellence.

Williams (2-0) earned the win over San Francisco on Monday, allowing one run on three hits and three walks while striking out two batters over five innings.

Williams gave up a run in the first inning but kept the Giants off the scoreboard for the rest of the outing and was backed by plenty of run support. The right-hander notched only five whiffs and two punchouts, but he allowed just three baserunners after the first frame. Williams has started the season well, allowing a modest three runs over 10.1 frames. His 7:5 K:BB isn't as promising, though that hasn't prevented him from earning half of Washington's four wins thus far.

Ober did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over five innings against the Dodgers. He struck out seven.

Ober bounced back nicely after a terrible first start at Kansas City where he gave up eight runs in 1.1 innings. It was an especially impressive outing considering the opposing lineup. He next lines up to start Saturday at Detroit.

Eflin (1-2) took the loss against the Angels on Monday, allowing five runs on nine hits and no walks while striking out five batters over five innings.

Eflin fell behind 2-0 in the first inning and was lifted after giving up another pair of runs on four hits in the fifth frame. He allowed five Angels to cross the plate overall, the second time through three starts that he's allowed at least that many runs. Eflin's ERA now sits at 6.35 through 17 innings on the campaign, and he's given up four homers thus far. The right-hander does have a nice 15:2 K:BB on the season, but he's struggling to follow up on last year's career-best 16-win campaign.

Anderson (2-0) earned the win over Tampa Bay on Monday, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out three batters over seven scoreless innings.

Anderson was a big disappointment in his first campaign with the Angels last year, but he's been outstanding in his first two starts this season. Monday's performance was his second straight seven-inning scoreless effort, with both performances resulting in a win. The left-hander's fantasy appeal will likely always be negatively impacted by his low strikeout totals -- he fanned just three batters Monday and has a modest eight punchouts through 14 innings on the season -- but his rostership is bound to rise if he continues to keep runs from crossing the plate. Anderson's next start is tentatively projected to come in Fenway Park against Boston this weekend.

Freeland allowed four runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks over five innings in a no-decision Monday. He struck out two during the win over Arizona.

Freeland worked three scoreless frames before the Diamondbacks plated four runs in the fourth inning. While it wasn't a very impressive performance, it was a dramatic improvement after he'd been tagged with 17 runs over his first 5.2 innings. However, he forced just four swinging strikes Monday, his lowest of 2024. Freeland is now sporting a 6:6 K:BB with a 16.03 ERA through three starts. He's projected to take the mound in Toronto this weekend.

Gallen did not factor in the decision Monday after punching out 10 batters. He allowed three runs on eight hits during the loss to Colorado.

Gallen coughed up a run in the first frame and another pair in the fourth. The 28-year-old righty struck out more batters Monday (10) than he had in his first 11 innings this season. However, he'd only given up one run during those 11 frames. Gallen forced 15 whiffs Monday, including 12 with the knuckle curve. He's currently lined up to face the Cardinals at home this weekend.