MLB Player News

Freeland (4-5) took the loss Saturday as the Rockies were downed 11-5 by the Rangers, surrendering eight runs (five earned) on nine hits over two innings. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.

A Marcus Semien leadoff double set the tone for the afternoon, as Texas hitters and some shaky Colorado defense combined to hand Freeland his worst road start so far this season. The southpaw saw his ERA jump by nearly three-quarters of a run, but he'll still take a 3.88 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 38:12 K:BB through 53.1 innings into his next outing, likely to come against the Marlins back at Coors Field.

Sandoval (3-3) allowed three runs on five hits and four walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings, taking the loss versus the Twins on Saturday.

Sandoval has failed to complete five innings in three of his nine starts this season, and each time has been because he's issued too many free passes. This was the first time in his last three outings he'd issued multiple walks. The southpaw has a 3.47 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and 34:20 K:BB over 49.1 innings this season. Sandoval will look to rein in his control next weekend versus the Marlins.

Syndergaard allowed three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out four batters over five innings in a no-decision against St. Louis on Saturday.

Syndergaard has been dealing with a cut on his index finger on his pitching hand, so there was some uncertainty about how he'd hold up after lasting just four innings his previous time out. The right-hander gave Los Angeles moderate length Saturday, tossing 80 pitches (53 strikes) over five frames. He gave up three runs over the first two innings but finished strong, retiring the final seven batters he faced. Syndergaard has struggled with a 5.88 ERA through nine starts this season, but his presence in Los Angeles' rotation has taken extra importance with Julio Urias (hamstring) and Dustin May (forearm) both on the IL.

Varland (2-0) allowed two runs on six hits and a walk with four strikeouts over five-plus innings to earn the win Saturday over the Angels.

Varland threw 60 of 92 pitches for strikes en route to his second straight win. He allowed three straight runners to reach in the sixth inning, including a Shohei Ohtani solo home run, before Jovani Moran was called on to work out of the jam. Varland has been solid through five starts this season, posting a 4.18 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 31:7 K:BB through 28 innings. He's tentatively projected for a home start versus the Blue Jays next week.

Musgrove (1-2) allowed four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out six over five innings, taking the loss Saturday versus the Red Sox.

Enmanuel Valdez accounted for much of the damage against Musgrove with a three-run home run in the second inning. Alex Verdugo added an RBI single in the fourth. Musgrove still has yet to complete six innings in any of his five starts this season, and it's mostly been due to ineffective pitching, as evidenced by his 6.75 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 25:9 K:BB over 24 innings. The 30-year-old is projected for a road start versus the Yankees next week.

Mikolas allowed three runs on six hits and no walks while striking out two batters over seven innings in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Saturday.

Mikolas dominated Los Angeles in the first five frames, allowing just three hits and no runs. The Dodgers finally got to him when J.D. Martinez hit a game-tying three-run homer in the sixth, but Mikolas bounced back to retire the final six batters he faced. Though he had to settle for a no-decision, this was the right-hander's longest outing of the campaign and his third quality start. He's given up three or fewer runs in each of his seven starts since April 16, posting a 2.90 ERA over 40.1 innings during that span.

Sale (4-2) earned the win Saturday over the Padres, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out eight over seven innings.

Sale put in his fourth straight quality start, and the three hits allowed matched his season low. Two of those hits were home runs, but they were solo shots by Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis. Just nine starts into 2023, Sale has already covered more innings (50.1) than he did in the three previous years combined (48.1). He's starting to look more like his past self, as Saturday's outing lowered his season ERA to 5.01 with a 1.17 WHIP and 62:13 K:BB. He'll look to keep rolling in a projected road start versus Arizona next week.

Brito did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing four runs on four hits and four walks over four innings against the Reds. He struck out six.

Brito narrowly avoided a disastrous third inning, walking three straight batters to load the bases with two outs, but he managed to allow just one run to score in the inning. However, the Reds got their revenge, with Luke Maile tagging Brito for a two-run home run that brought Jose Barrero in to score. After finishing each of his last three appearances with three or fewer strikeouts, Brito finally found his strikeout stuff, fanning six over four innings to tie his season high in punchouts. With Luis Severino (lat) expected to make his debut Sunday, Brito may be headed toward a demotion considering his 5:3 K/BB and 5.58 ERA likely won't be enough to warrant keeping him on the big league roster.

Sears allowed two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over six innings in a no-decision against Houston on Saturday.

Sears' outing got off to a rough start when he allowed two first-inning runs, but he rebounded from there and held Houston scoreless for the following five frames. The southpaw finished with his third quality start of the campaign and didn't allow any homers for just the second time this season. Sears posted an uninspiring 6.23 ERA over five starts in April, but he's been much better in May, recording a 3.57 ERA through four starts. Though he's yet to record a win this season, Sears is beginning to pick up steam as a fantasy option in deeper leagues, with his 9.4 K/9 being particularly enticing.

Lauer (4-5) took the loss Saturday, allowing six runs on six hits and two walks over three innings against Tampa Bay. He struck out two.

Lauer had troubles with the long ball Saturday, giving up homers to Harold Ramirez in the first, Yandy Diaz in the second and Christian Bethancourt in the fourth to tie his season high in runs allowed. Saturday's outing also marked Lauer's third straight appearance giving up multiple home runs while being the first time all season he struck out less than four batters. Though Lauer struggled with one of the top offenses in baseball, he should have a much easier time in his next projected start when he takes on the Giants, who strike out 9.6 times per game.