MLB Player News

Houck (2-0) allowed four hits and two walks over six shutout frames Sunday, striking out seven and earning a win over the Angels.

Houck was dominant Sunday, allowing just one extra-base hit and, at one point, retiring 10 consecutive Angels. He's started the season with 12 shutout frames and a terrific 17:2 K:BB in two starts. Houck posted an 8.4 K/9 in both 2022 and 2023 but he's seemingly tapped back into the strikeout potential he displayed earlier in his MLB career. The 27-year-old is projected for a rematch with the Angels at home next weekend.

Silseth (0-1) allowed three runs on three hits and two walks over five innings Sunday, striking out seven and taking a loss against Boston.

All three hits against Silseth came in the span of four batters during the third inning, and all three left the park. He's now given up six earned runs through eight innings in two starts despite a strong 12:4 K:BB. Silseth forced nine swinging strikes on 91 pitches Sunday after getting 13 whiffs on 76 pitches in his season debut. Silseth is currently lined up for a rematch in Boston next weekend.

Stone (0-1) was tagged with the loss after he pitched three innings, giving up five runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out five in Sunday's 8-1 defeat against the Cubs.

Stone didn't have his best stuff Sunday, and combined with two fielding errors by his infield, he ended up with the loss. Through two starts in 2024, the right-hander has surrendered eight runs (four earned) on 11 hits and four walks over eight innings, navigating plenty of traffic on the basepaths. The 25-year-old is tentatively set to return to the mound Saturday at home versus the Padres.

Sanches (0-1) took the loss Sunday versus Washington, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks across 4.1 innings. He struck out one batter.

Sanchez's strikeout production took a 180 on Sunday, going from eight K's over five innings in his 2024 debut to just a single punchout. While the thought of Sanchez becoming a plus-strikeout pitcher was nice for fantasy managers who've invested in him, Sanchez has a career K/9 of 8.7 in 42 big-league appearances (23 starts) and will likely settle in near that number this season. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Pirates for his next start.

Abbott dropped to 0-1 in Sunday's 3-1 loss to the Mets after allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

Abbott allowed one run each in the first (unearned), third and fourth innings, which turned out to be too much for the Reds to overcome. It was not a bad start for the young lefty but also not the type of start that will force the Reds to stick with him. With Nick Lodolo's (calf) return from the injured list looming after making his final rehab start on Sunday, Abbott could be at risk of losing his rotation spot if manager David Bell elects to stick with a five-man starting staff.

Gore (1-0) picked up the win Sunday against the Phillies, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out six.

Gore has given up three or fewer runs in each of his first two starts of the new season and has carried over his strong strikeout production from 2023. However, he's been unable to make it through six innings in either appearance, being pulled midway through the sixth with his pitch count pushing toward 100. Gore also struggled with inefficiency last season, reaching the six-innings pitched mark in merely 10 of his 27 starts. Gore is set up to face the A's in Oakland for his next projected start.

Imanaga pitched four scoreless innings, allowing two hits while striking out three batters in Sunday's 8-1 win over the Dodgers. He did not factor into the decision.

Imanaga was off to a stellar start Sunday before the game went into a nearly three-hour rain delay, prematurely bringing his outing to a close. The left-hander has now opened the 2024 campaign and his Cubs career with 10 scoreless frames while recording 12 punchouts. Imanaga is tentatively set to return to the mound Saturday on the road versus Seattle.

Webb yielded two runs on 10 hits over seven innings in a no-decision Sunday. He struck out three in the win over San Diego.

Webb allowed just one run through five innings before the Giants added another run in the sixth. He's uncharacteristically coughed up 22 hits through 16.2 frames in three starts this season. Webb forced just three whiffs on 38 swings after getting four swinging strikes on 32 swings in his last appearance. The 27-year-old now owns a 4.86 ERA with a 13:4 K:BB through 16.2 innings. His next start is lined up to be in Tampa Bay.

Francis (0-2) took the loss Sunday against the Yankees, allowing five runs on two hits and three walks over three innings. He struck out five.

Frances retired seven of his first eight batters Sunday -- an encouraging sign after serving up seven runs in his 2024 debut -- but quickly had his start flipped upside down in the third. He gave up a hit and three walks before Giancarlo Stanton cleared the bases with a grand slam as part of the five-run inning. The Blue Jays selected the contract of veteran righty Paolo Espino (38 starts spanning 2021-2022) from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, adding another arm who could, in theory, take Francis' spot in the rotation. If a move isn't made, expect Francis to toe the rubber during next weekend's homestand against the Rockies.

Waldron did not factor in the decision Sunday after yielding one unearned run on three hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out five during the loss to San Francisco.

After a brutal season debut, Waldron looked much better Sunday. He rolled through five shutout frames before the Giants pushed home an unearned run in the sixth. Despite the strong performance, Waldron forced just four swinging strikes on 85 pitches, with only two coming via the knuckleball. He's projected for a tough road matchup against the Dodgers next.