MLB Player News

Musgrove (1-1) picked up the win Wednesday against the Cardinals, allowing one run on five hits and a walk across six innings. He struck out seven.

Musgrove finally found his footing three starts into 2024, putting together his first quality start of the season and bringing down his ERA from 9.72 to 6.28. Fantasy managers who invested in Musgrove can breathe a sigh of relief, as he showed the mix of strikeout ability and power prevention that made him so effective in 2023. Musgrove will look to take another large step away from his early-season woes, with a matchup against the Cubs in San Diego on tap for his next projected start.

Keller (0-1) took the loss Wednesday against the Nationals, yielding five runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out five.

After giving up four earned runs in his 2024 debut, Keller appeared primed to bounce back against a sub-standard Nationals lineup. However, Keller was once again tagged for four earned runs -- including a solo homer by Joey Gallo in the second. He's been unable to replicate his 2023 success thus far, owning an ugly 6.55 ERA and 1.73 WHIP through two starts. He's lined up for another recovery chance during Monday's projected start against the Tigers.

Williams (1-0) picked up the win Wednesday against Pittsburgh, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out five.

Williams was good aside than a rough second inning, retiring 13 of the 14 batters he faced outside of the frame. Both of the runs against Williams came in the second, with a leadoff double and back-to-back walks filling the bases for an eventual two-RBI single by Michael Taylor. After tying for the fifth-most homers allowed and posting a 5.55 ERA in his first season as a National, Williams looked more like his 2022 self (3.21 ERA in 89.2 innings) Wednesday. Still, he is not a recommended fantasy option in his next projected start Monday at San Francisco.

Kelly did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over seven innings in a 6-5 loss to the Yankees. He struck out four.

Kelly allowed the leadoff runner to reach base in three of his first four innings of work and it finally cost him in the fourth when Aaron Judge jumped on a hanging sinker and sent it into the stands, giving the Yankees a 2-1 lead. The right-hander recovered nicely, however, surrendering just two singles and a walk from that point on as the Diamondbacks fell to New York in the series finale. Kelly has now logged back-to-back quality starts to open the season, posting a 12:1 K:BB over that early stretch.

Lorenzen (neck) struck out three over 2.2 innings while allowing three earned runs on three hits and two walks Saturday in his rehab start with Triple-A Round Rock.

Though he's officially on the 15-day injured list with a neck strain, Lorenzen isn't believed to be dealing with any major health concerns. Instead, he was placed on the IL prior to Opening Day so he could continue the ramp-up process in the minors since he missed most of spring training after not signing with the Rangers until March 22. Lorenzen didn't look especially overpowering in his first rehab start, but more importantly, he built up to 50 pitches (34 strikes). He's expected to make another rehab start with Round Rock on Thursday and will likely push his pitch count into the 65-to-70 range, per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. If all goes well, Lorenzen could then return from the IL early next week and slot into the Texas rotation during the club's three-game series with Oakland that runs from April 9 through 11.

Rodon did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks over 5.1 innings against the Diamondbacks. He struck out three.

Rodon struggled out of the gate, allowing a leadoff double to the first batter he faced and later surrendering solo home runs in the second and fifth innings. Five of the seven hits he allowed on the afternoon went for extra bases, while the veteran lefty also failed to make it through six innings for the second straight start to open the season. On a positive note, Rodon has held his opponents to two or fewer runs in each of those outings.

Stripling (0-2) took the loss Wednesday, allowing one run on eight hits over seven innings against the Red Sox. He struck out three and did not issue any walks.

Stripling managed to hold the Red Sox to one run on the afternoon despite allowing six hits over the first four innings. Still, he would end up being tagged with his second loss as Oakland's offense was shut out for the second time in its last three games. The right-hander has now surrendered 15 hits over his first two starts (12 innings) and things won't get any easier next week when the A's travel to Arlington to take on the reigning World Series champions.

Ross came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 7-3 loss to the Twins, giving up two hits and five walks over 3.2 scoreless innings. He struck out three.

Making his first big-league start since late 2021, Ross threw only 38 of 73 pitches for strikes before being lifted, although he was able to avoid any damage from all the traffic he put on the basepaths. Despite the shaky outing, he might not be in much danger of losing his spot in the rotation for the time being. Per Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee will likely need to use a six-man rotation over the next month, as the team is scheduled for 13 games in a row and 26 over the next 27 days.

Manoah (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment Sunday with Single-A Dunedin, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Manoah pitched a three-inning simulated game Tuesday at the Jays' spring training facility without any issues, and he's slated to up his workload to four frames in his first rehab start. If Manoah's Single-A outing goes well, his assignment may move to a higher-level affiliate, but the 26-year-old is likely still several rehab appearances away from making his season debut with Toronto.

Civale (1-1) took the loss Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over six innings against the Rangers. He struck out eight.

Civale was excellent Wednesday, allowing just a solo home run to Corey Seager in the sixth inning. However, the Rays couldn't get anything going against Nathan Eovaldi on the other side, sticking Civale with his first loss. The 28-year-old right-hander's allowed just two runs in 12 innings through his first two starts, while showing more of a strikeout punch than he has in the past. Civale made 23 starts last year between Tampa Bay and Cleveland, going 7-5 with a 3.46 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 116:33 K:BB. He looks like a dependable fantasy option.