MLB Player News

Gibson (1-0) earned the win over San Diego on Monday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts over seven innings.

Gibson gave up a pair of solo homers, but the Padres otherwise failed to cross the plate against him. The veteran hurler didn't dominate -- he notched just eight swinging strikes and four punchouts -- but he limited traffic on the basepaths and went deep into the contest, throwing 94 pitches. The start was Gibson's first as a Cardinal after he went 15-9 despite posting a mediocre 4.73 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 7.4 K/9 with Baltimore last season.

Nelson (0-1) took the loss Monday against the Yankees, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits and four walks across 2.2 innings. He struck out two.

The command Nelson showed in spring training went away in his regular-season debut. Just 43 of 76 pitches landed in the zone, and the right-hander was constantly behind and pitching with runners on base. Both Nelson and Tommy Henry have put up troubling starts the first time through the rotation and could be gone before long. Eduardo Rodriguez (lat) could return from the IL within the next few weeks and Jordan Montgomery (recently signed) begins ramping up in the minors this weekend. After logging a 5.31 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP in his first full season as a starter in 2023, Nelson's performance Monday didn't exactly instill confidence for an improved 2024 campaign. He'll face another tough test in his next projected start, which is scheduled to come Sunday at Atlanta.

Gil didn't factor into the decision Monday against Arizona, going 4.2 innings and yielding one run on one hit and three walks. He struck out six.

Gil showed his worth as the Yankees' fifth starter and Gerrit Cole (elbow) fill-in, holding the D-Backs to one hit in his first MLB appearance since 2022. The righty got himself into trouble in the third, allowing a hit and a walk before advancing both the runners on a wild pitch, opening up the opportunity for Ketel Marte to cash in on a sac fly. Still, Gil looks to be a quality option for the Yankees moving forward and will look to keep the ball rolling in his next projected start Sunday against Toronto -- who got no-hit by Houston's Ronel Blanco on Monday.

McKenzie (0-1) took the loss against Seattle on Monday, allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out two batters over 3.1 innings.

McKenzie breezed through his first frame without any trouble, but a pair of one-out walks in the second set the stage for the Mariners' four-run inning. The right-hander bounced back with a perfect third frame before departing with one out and the bases loaded in the fourth. It wasn't a promising campaign debut for McKenzie, as he notched just seven swinging strikes among his 78 pitches and punched out only two batters. The 26-year-old is attempting to get back on track after being limited to 16 big-league innings last season due to injuries.

Boyle (0-1) took the loss Monday against Boston, surrendering eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits and four walks across 2.2 innings. He struck out four.

Oddly enough, Boyle did a decent job limiting power, yielding just one extra-base hit on the day. However, a peppering of singles and a pair of untimely errors allowed the Red Sox to hang eight runs in the first three innings. While Boyle's 2024 debut was disappointing at best, there should still be slivers of hope for a turnaround after Boyle posted a 1.69 ERA in three big-league starts last season. Boyle will look to show his 2023 form in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled to come Sunday at Detroit.

Houck (1-0) picked up the win Monday against Oakland, tossing six scoreless innings on three hits and no walks. He struck out 10.

Houck was excellent in his 2024 debut -- albeit against the A's at the pitcher-friendly Oakland Coliseum -- matching his career high in strikeouts that was set against Atlanta in 2020. Despite the soft matchup fantasy managers should be optimistic about Houck's fantasy outlook after he generated a 2.40 ERA in 15 innings of spring ball. He'll likely cap off a two-start week Sunday against the Angels.

Hancock (1-0) earned the win over Cleveland on Monday, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out one batter over 5.1 innings.

Hancock slid into Seattle's rotation as a result of Bryan Woo's elbow injury and consequent placement on the injured list. Though he was far from dominant in his season debut, Hancock limited traffic on the basepaths and held the Guardians without an extra-base hit until the sixth inning, when Tyler Freeman knocked a solo homer off the right-hander to end his outing. Hancock doesn't have the type of overpowering stuff that fantasy managers like to see in a pitcher, but he should get at least a few more turns in the rotation with Woo expected to be sidelined several more weeks.

Anderson picked up the save Monday against the A's, tossing three scoreless innings on one hit and no walks. He struck out three.

Anderson took advantage of the lopsided score, polishing off three scoreless frames with his second-career save. Monday's outing marked the veteran's first with Boston after signing with the team following his release from the Pirates. Considering the Red Sox have several reliable arms out of the pen -- including closer Kenley Jansen -- Anderson shouldn't be expected to get many high-leverage looks this season.

Hudson (0-1) allowed three runs (zero earned) on four hits and two walks over 5.1 innings to suffer the defeat Monday against the Cubs. He struck out two.

Hudson allowed just three baserunners and no runs through five innings while matching Shota Imanaga pitch-for-pitch. He then ran into some trouble in the sixth when, with two men on and one out, he allowed a single to Christopher Morel that would have loaded the bases. However, a fielding error followed by a throwing error by left-fielder Nolan Jones led to a little-league home run with all three runs crossing the plate and Hudson's day coming to an end with a tough-luck loss. Hudson is tentatively scheduled to next take the hill this weekend in his first home start as a member of the Rockies against the Rays.

Dunning (1-0) allowed three runs on three hits and four walks over 6.1 innings Monday, striking out seven and earning a win over the Rays.

Dunning cruised through six shutout frames before coughing up home runs to Richie Palacios and Jose Siri in the seventh inning. Dunning tossed 93 pitches, including 18 whiffs, which would've been his second-best total in 2023. The 29-year-old has seen his strikeout rate consistently drop throughout his MLB career -- down to 7.3 K/9 in 2023 -- but he posted a 10.7 K/9 this spring and is off to a good start after Monday's outing. Dunning is currently in line to face the Astros at home this weekend.