MLB Player News

Verlander (1-1) got the win Wednesday over the Reds, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out seven over seven innings.

The only damage against Verlander came in the opening frame, as Jonathan India led off with a single and eventually came around to score on a double by Jake Fraley. Verlander quieted the Reds from there, allowing just two other batters to reach via walks. He generated 13 swinging strikes on 104 pitches and was still touching 96 MPH with his fastball in the seventh inning. It was a dominant effort from the 2022 AL Cy Young winner, and he'll take a 2.25 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB across two starts into a favorable matchup against the Nationals next week.

Kremer (4-1) got the win over the Rays on Wednesday after pitching six shutout innings while allowing four hits and two walks. He struck out four in the effort.

Kremer quieted a dangerous Rays offense and has now allowed just one run over his last 12 innings pitched. He got 11 swinging strikes on 95 pitches and finally got his ERA under 5.00 (he's at 4.97 after Wednesday) after he was roughed up with a 6.67 ERA across his first six starts. The 27-year-old will carry a 4.97 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 32:13 K:BB over 41.2 innings into a projected home matchup against the Angels next week.

Chirinos (1-1) took the loss Tuesday against the Orioles, allowing two runs on five hits and four walks while striking out a batter over five innings.

Chirinos replaced Jalen Beeks to begin the third inning and kept the Orioles off the board until the sixth. He allowed back-to-back hits and a walk to load the bases before Adam Frazier's groundout to second and Austin Hays' single drove in a pair of runs. Chirinos would come back out for the seventh and send the Orioles down in order on just seven pitches. The 29-year-old now owns a 2.22 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 9:10 K:BB over 24.1 innings. He's expected to take the bump again next week against the Mets, when he'll try to get his trouble with the free passes in line, as Chirinos has allowed eight walks over his last two outings.

Lugo allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five over six innings in a no-decision versus the Twins on Wednesday.

Four of the five hits Lugo allowed went for extra bases, but he allowed just one baserunner over his final three frames to limit the damage. The Padres got him off the hook by tying the game in the eighth inning. He's posted quality starts in five of his seven starts this season en route to a 3.18 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 36:9 K:BB through 39.2 innings. Lugo's tentatively projected for a favorable home start versus the Royals early next week.

Lopez allowed a run on two hits and four walks while striking out eight over 6.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Wednesday.

Lopez's four walks were a season high, but he was able to offset that by matching his season low in hits allowed. One of those knocks was Juan Soto's solo home run in the seventh inning, Lopez ended April with a couple of shaky starts, but he's allowed just three runs over 13.1 innings across his first two outings in May. The right-hander has a 3.47 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 62:14 K:BB across 49.1 innings through eight starts this season. He's tentatively lined up for two starts next week, which would be road outings versus the Dodgers and the Angels.

Montgomery (2-5) allowed six runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out three over five innings, taking the loss versus the Cubs on Wednesday.

Montgomery has had some unfortunate losses this season, but this one was more of his own doing. He got through the order unscathed once, but the Cubs scored all six of their runs against him between the third and fifth innings, which included home runs by Yan Gomes and Patrick Wisdom. It's the first time in eight starts Montgomery has given up multiple homers in the same game. He's now lost five of his last six outings since opening the season with a pair of wins. The southpaw has a 4.11 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 41:12 K:BB through 46 innings. He'll look to bounce back in his next outing, which projects to come at home versus the Brewers next week.

Steele (6-0) allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out three over six innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Cardinals.

By his lofty standards in 2023, this was somewhat of a disappointing effort. That said, Steele turned in his seventh quality start in eight outings, and he remains undefeated on the season, though he can thank his offense for strong run support in Wednesday's contest. The southpaw has a 1.82 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 39:14 K:BB through 49.1 innings over eight starts. He's projected for a tough road start in Houston next week.

Bello (2-1) earned the win Wednesday over Atlanta, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk with five strikeouts in six innings.

Bello kept Atlanta off the board for five innings, then struggled a bit in the sixth. Boston was able to get ahead for good in the seventh, giving Bello his second straight win and his first quality start of the season. The right-hander now has a 5.01 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 24:7 K:BB through 23.1 innings over five starts. James Paxton (hamstring) is set to return from the injured list Friday versus the Cardinals, so Bello's starting role could be in danger if the Red Sox opt to go forward with a five-man rotation.

Horton will make his High-A debut Wednesday after logging a 1.26 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 21 strikeouts in 14.1 innings across four starts for Single-A Myrtle Beach.

The No. 7 overall pick in last year's draft, Horton has one of the best sliders in the minors and was overmatching Single-A hitters in his pro debut. He could feasibly climb beyond High-A this season if he stays healthy, but injuries limited him to 53.2 innings at Oklahoma, so his workload will be monitored.

Glasnow (oblique) was removed from Wednesday's rehab start for Triple-A Durham with mild left side tightness, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

He was expected to cover four innings and/or 65 pitches in what was his second rehab start Wednesday but was pulled after just 11 pitches. Given that he's returning from a left oblique strain, the Rays may just be taking extra caution with Glasnow, but it's hard to view his early exit Wednesday as anything other than a setback. He'll be checked by team personnel Thursday, and it's unclear if he'll be able to make his third rehab start, which was scheduled to come next Tuesday.