MLB Player News

Varland (0-2) picked up the loss after he tossed five innings, surrendering six runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out six in Tuesday's 6-3 defeat to the Dodgers.

After three scoreless frames to open the game, Varland was done in by the long ball Tuesday, giving up a three-run homer to James Outman in the top of the fourth inning before Will Smith launched another three-run shot the following frame. The right-hander now owns an inflated 9.00 ERA and 2.00 WHIP with 10 strikeouts over nine innings in his first two starts of the 2024 campaign. Varland is tentatively set to return to the mound Sunday for a road matchup with the Tigers.

Rodon (1-0) picked up the win Tuesday, allowing two unearned runs on four hits and two walks over six-plus innings in a 3-2 victory over the Marlins. He struck out six.

The southpaw carried a shutout into the seventh inning, but after a leadoff walk to Josh Bell, Anthony Rizzo botched a potential double-play ball and both runners scored after Rodon had left the mound. He tossed 58 of 89 pitches for strikes in his first quality start of the season while lowering his ERA to 1.72, and Rodon will carry a 13:7 K:BB through 15.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road in Toronto early next week.

Puk (0-3) took the loss Tuesday against the Yankees, giving up two runs (one earned) on four hits and five walks over 4.2 innings as the Marlins were downed 3-2. He struck out two.

It says something about how poorly the southpaw's transition to a starting role has gone that this was Puk's best outing so far this season. He's issued 14 free passes in only 10.2 innings over three starts, leading to a 5.91 ERA. However, with the Marlins still dealing with multiple injuries in their rotation, they have little choice but to continue the experiment a while longer. Puk lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Giants.

Glasnow (3-0) earned the win Tuesday against the Twins, recording 14 strikeouts and allowing only three hits over seven innings.

Glasnow was in full command Tuesday, matching his career-high 14 strikeouts while limiting Minnesota to just three baserunners. The left-hander has now registered three straight quality starts, and after four outings, he owns a 2.25 ERA and 0.75 WHIP with 29 punchouts over 24 innings. Glasnow is tentatively set to be back on the mound Monday for a matchup with the Nationals at home.

Soroka didn't factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out four.

Soroka was staked to a 5-0 lead before taking the mound in the first, but he couldn't make it stand -- the right-hander gave up a two-run homer to Josh Naylor in the bottom half of the frame before the Guardians tacked on two more runs between the third and fourth innings, forcing Soroka out of the game before he could qualify for a decision. It's been a rocky start to the year for Soroka -- he's 0-1 with a 6.14 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 6:6 K:BB across his first three starts (14.2 innings). He's currently in line to face the Reds at home Sunday in his next outing.

Allen didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 7-5 loss to the White Sox. He allowed five runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out four.

Allen got off to a brutal start, allowing seven of the first eight batters to reach safely in the first inning and ultimately allowing five runs. However, the left-hander would settle down to blank the White Sox over his final three frames, allowing just two more hits, while the Guardians rallied to tie the game and get Allen off the hook. Still, it's a tough outing for Allen, who'd won his first two starts this season. His ERA is now up to 4.60 with a 1.34 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB through 15.2 innings on the young campaign. Allen will look to get back on track in his next start, tentatively lined up as a tough home matchup Sunday versus the Yankees.

Mize allowed two runs on five hits and a walk over five innings during Tuesday's 5-3 win at Pittsburgh. He struck out two and did not factor in the decision.

The right-hander didn't have his best stuff, as he generated just seven swinging strikes on 83 pitches, but he limited the damage to a pair of runs. Mize looked less rusty than in his season debut, which is encouraging after he missed the entirety of 2023 while recovering from Tommy John and back surgeries. He tentatively lines up to face the defending champion Rangers in Detroit early next week.

Perez didn't factor in the decision Tuesday after he gave up one run on six hits and no walks over eight innings during a 5-3 loss to the Tigers. He struck out seven.

The veteran left-hander pitched well in his first two starts of the campaign with three runs allowed across 11 innings, but he was outright dominant Tuesday as he threw 70 of his 100 pitches for strikes and generated a combined 36 called and swinging strikes. Perez was in line for his second victory before closer David Bednar fell apart in the ninth inning. Perez is off to one of the best starts of his big-league career with a 1.89 ERA through three turns, with a matchup versus the Phillies awaiting him this weekend.

Scherzer (back) completed a bullpen session Tuesday and expected to throw live batting practice next week, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

The veteran right-hander continues to build up his workload as he makes his way back from December surgery to address a herniated disc, and he's closing in on the final stages of his rehab program. Scherzer could progress to a minor-league rehab assignment soon after facing live hitters, keeping a potential return in May on the table.

The Rays placed Alexander on the bereavement list Tuesday.

Alexander has struggled in each of his first two appearances of the season, registering an 8.68 ERA, 1.93 WHIP and 8:4 K:BB over 9.1 innings. He's scheduled to start Friday against the Giants, but he will step away from the team for a few days to be with his family. In a corresponding move, the Rays recalled Kevin Kelly from Triple-A Durham.