MLB Player News

Wacha (1-0) earned the win Saturday, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks over six innings against the Rockies. He struck out two.

Wacha breezed through the first four innings before allowing a run in the fifth on a fielder's choice off the bat of Ezequiel Tovar. The right-hander then struggled in the sixth while giving up three runs in that frame, including a two-run home run by C.J. Cron. All in all, it was a solid -- if unspectacular -- outing for Wacha in his first start as a member of the Padres. He's scheduled to go again in Atlanta next weekend.

Cobb didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Yankees, giving up two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk over 3.2 innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander was stingy but not efficient, getting the hook after needing 76 pitches (47 strikes) to record only 11 outs, but he was always likely to get a quick hook after being bothered by knee soreness late in spring training. Cobb is coming off a 2022 campaign in which he struck out a career-high 151 batters over 149.2 innings, but that was also the first time since 2018 he's been able to make more than 18 starts. The 35-year-old is projected to take the mound at home next week against the Royals.

Schmidt didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 7-5 loss to the Giants, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk over 3.1 innings while striking out five.

While the K:BB was strong and he generated 12 swinging strikes among his 76 pitches, three of the five hits off Schmidt went for extra bases, including homers by Joc Pederson and Brandon Crawford. The latter's long ball chased the right-hander from the game. Schmidt's starting role is fairly secure for now given all the injuries in the Yankees' rotation, but he'll need to find a way to keep the ball in the park to avoid getting bumped once other pitchers get healthier.

Gray (0-1) took the loss Saturday, coughing up five runs on seven hits -- including three home runs -- and two walks over five innings as the Nationals fell 7-1 to Atlanta. He struck out four.

It was the same old story for the right-hander, who got taken deep by both Ronald Acuna and Matt Olson within the first six pitches of the game. Gray has posted a HR/9 of 2.30 or higher in each of the last two seasons, and it doesn't look like his offseason work to add a cutter to his arsenal has solved that puzzle. Until he learns to keep the ball in the park, the 25-year-old will be too volatile to deploy in most fantasy formats other than as a deep streaming option. His early-season problems could get worse before they get better, as Gray's next start is set to come on a road trip to Coors Field next week.

Sandoval (1-0) earned the win over Oakland on Saturday, pitching five innings and allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out two batters.

The Angels staked Sandoval to an 11-0 lead with a huge top of the third inning, so the left-hander didn't face much stress in his season debut. The only run against Sandoval came on a Ramon Laureano solo shot in the fifth frame, and the hurler departed after that inning having thrown 86 pitches (56 for strikes). His overall performance wasn't dominant by any means -- he struck out only two batters -- but it was nonetheless a successful debut for Sandoval, who will likely face a tougher challenge his next time out, as he's tentatively scheduled to face off against the Blue Jays next week.

Strider (1-0) picked up the win in Saturday's 7-1 victory over the Nationals, allowing three hits and three walks over six scoreless innings while striking out nine.

The 24-year-old right-hander picked up right where he left off in 2022, generating 16 swinging strikes among his 96 pitches (68 strikes) as he sliced through an overmatched Washington lineup. Strider racked up 202 strikeouts in only 131.2 innings last year, and a full season in the rotation could allow him to post some unthinkable strikeout numbers in 2023. His next start will likely come at home against the Padres next week.

Flaherty (1-0) picked up the win Saturday, throwing five no-hit, scoreless innings and striking out four but walking a career-high seven batters in a 4-1 victory over the Blue Jays.

The right-hander also hit a batter with a pitch and ultimately threw only 49 of 95 pitches for strikes, but Flaherty was able to wriggle out of every jam he created. Making the win even more remarkable, the Cards' go-ahead runs in the third inning were all unearned as Kevin Gausman was posting excellent numbers for the Jays. Flaherty hasn't worked more than 78.1 innings in a season since 2019 due to various injuries, so his inability to find the plate consistently in his 2023 debut is at least a little concerning. The 27-year-old's next turn lines up for a series next weekend in Milwaukee.

Gausman (0-1) took the loss Saturday as the Blue Jays fell 4-1 to the Cardinals, giving up three runs (all unearned) on eight hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out seven.

A Matt Chapman throwing error prevented Gausman from escaping the third inning and led to three St. Louis runs, but otherwise the veteran right-hander kept the Cards in check. He fired 64 of 90 pitches for strikes. Gausman has topped 200 strikeouts in each of the last two seasons, and barring injury, he should be in that range again. His next start currently lines up to come next week in Kansas City.

Cabrera did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two runs on two hits and six walks over four innings in a 6-2 loss to the Mets. He struck out two.

Only 40 of Cabrera's 85 pitches went for strikes. He fell behind in the count initially to 10 of the 20 batters he faced. It was an afternoon to forget for Cabrera after he generated additional buzz in the Grapefruit League (1.80, 0.93 WHIP, 14:6 K:BB in 15 innings). He showed real potential across 14 starts last season, but until he reins in his control, Cabrera has to be considered a volatile fantasy option. The 24-year-old lines up for a road start against these same Mets next week.

Megill (1-0) earned the win Saturday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over five innings against Miami. He struck out seven.

Filling in for Justin Verlander (teres major strain), Megill walked two of the first seven batters he faced Saturday, showing some of the same control issues that plagued him in spring training. He buckled down from there, however, and would go on to complete five innings on 93 pitches. Megill and David Peterson will essentially continue their spring training competition into the regular season, though it's entirely possible both pitchers stick around long term if there are additional injuries to the starting rotation.