MLB Player News

Minnesota optioned Varland to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Varland pitched well in his start against the Yankees on Friday by allowing three runs over six innings. However, the right-hander was sent down to the minors to make room for Brent Headrick after Headrick received a call-up from the Saints in a corresponding transaction.

Brown (2-0) earned the win Saturday, allowing two unearned runs on five hits and one walk over seven innings in a 8-2 win over Texas. He struck out five.

Brown gave manager Dusty Baker and the Astros a second consecutive excellent start. The 24-year-old righty has given up just three runs in his last 14 innings, but none of them have been earned. Look for the Detroit native to keep getting opportunities to prove himself as Houston looks to fill the void left by Justin Verlander in free agency.

Nelson did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one run on five hits and zero walks over six innings against the Marlins. He struck out four.

Nelson pitched a gem, showing why Arizona picked him in the second round of the 2019 draft. The 25-year-old showed the command of a seasoned veteran, as this was the first start of his career in which he did not allow a walk. The Nevada native's next assignment will be a major test, as he'll be facing the star-studded Padres lineup at home in a few days.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday that Davies (oblique) has more than a Grade 1 strain is expected to miss "several weeks."

Grade 1 strains are the least severe, but the Diamondbacks will need to cover multiple starts while Davies mends. Drey Jameson filled in for Davies last Wednesday and is expected to retain that fill-in role for the time being.

Garrett did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against Arizona. He struck out five.

Garrett allowed minimal damage in his second start of the season. This performance was a steady improvement over the 25-year-old southpaw's start last week against the Mets, when he allowed nine hits in just 4.2 innings. The jury is still out on the Alabama native, as he needs to show consistent success in order to keep getting starting opportunities.

Ashcraft (2-0) earned the win Saturday, allowing zero runs on four hits and four walks over six innings against Philadelphia. He struck out four.

Ashcraft is on a roll to start the season. The 25-year-old righty has given up just three runs in 19 innings pitched, good for a 1.42 ERA. Additionally, the Alabama native has a 1.16 WHIP and has given up just one home run thus far.

Feltner (0-2) took the loss against Seattle on Saturday, allowing five runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five batters over 3.2 innings.

Feltner made it through three frames without allowing any damage on the scoreboard, but the fourth proved disastrous for him. The right-hander served up a solo homer to Eugenio Suarez to begin the inning and allowed five more baserunners in the frame, four of whom came around to score. The crushing blow was a two-out triple by Julio Rodriguez that plated three runs. Feltner has struggled so far this season, allowing 13 runs while posting a 15:11 K:BB over 13.1 frames. He's walked at least three batters in all three starts so far.

Kirby (1-1) secured the win over Colorado on Saturday, allowing two runs on six hits and no walks while striking out three batters over 6.1 innings.

Kirby recorded a season-low three punchouts and notched a modest nine swinging strikes Saturday, but he held the Rockies to a pair of runs to enjoy his first win of the campaign. The right-hander started the season with a rough 4.1-inning, four-run effort, but he's since posted consecutive quality starts during which he's allowed a combined three earned runs over 12.1 frames. Kirby's 6.5 K/9 so far in 2023 is disappointing after he recorded a 9.2 K/9 over 130 frames as a rookie last season, but he has plenty of time to catch up. His next start is tentatively scheduled to come at home against St. Louis next week.

Taillon pitched five scoreless innings against the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out seven batters. He did not factor in the decision.

Taillon recorded easily his best start of the campaign, as he allowed a combined seven earned runs over nine innings across his previous two outings. The right-hander held the Dodgers to just four baserunners on two singles and two walks, and he exited after five frames with a 1-0 lead. However, the Cubs offense couldn't produce any more runs, and Taillon had to settle for a no-decision when Los Angeles notched a walkoff win in the ninth. Nonetheless, this was a promising start for the veteran hurler, who now holds a 4.50 ERA across 14 innings on the campaign.

Grove did not factor in the decision against the Cubs on Saturday. He completed 5.2 innings, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out six batters.

Grove was hit hard in his previous trip to the mound, allowing nine runs on 12 hits over 3.1 innings against Arizona. He was much more effective Saturday, holding Chicago scoreless until Patrick Wisdom tagged him for a solo homer in the fifth frame. The Dodgers' offense wasn't able to support Grove enough for him to pick up a win, but this was nonetheless a critical rebound for the right-hander, who recorded his best outing of the campaign. With Tony Gonsolin (ankle) and Ryan Pepiot (oblique) expected to be out until at least early May, Grove is likely to have a few more opportunities to prove himself in Los Angeles' rotation.