MLB Player News

Cease did not factor into the decision in Friday's 5-4 extra-inning loss to the White Sox, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks with six strikeouts over 4.1 innings.

Cease allowed a run via his own error in the first inning and two more in the third. He threw just 51 of 93 pitches for strikes despite generating a whopping 16 whiffs, exiting after a one-out walk in the fifth. While the 30-year-old is no stranger to inconsistency, it was an obvious step back from his 12-strikeout debut with the Blue Jays on Saturday. He's slated for a tough home matchup against the Dodgers next week.

King (0-1) took the loss against the Red Sox on Friday, allowing four runs on seven hits and one walk with five strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

King was charged with runs in the third, fourth and sixth innings, exiting with two outs in the sixth before an inherited runner came around to score. Despite the final line, he threw 58 of 81 pitches for strikes and walked just one batter after issuing four free passes in his March 27 debut. The 30-year-old owns an 11:5 K:BB across 10.2 innings this season after missing most of the 2025 campaign due to injury and lines up for a road matchup against the Pirates next week.

Gray (1-0) earned the win against the Padres on Friday, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks with three strikeouts over six innings.

Gray allowed two runs in the fifth inning but held the Padres scoreless otherwise en route to his first quality start in a Red Sox uniform. While the veteran generated just eight whiffs on 87 pitches, it was a solid rebound after he lasted only four frames in his season debut Saturday. He's posted an 8:1 K:BB through 10 innings to open the 2026 campaign and lines up for a home matchup against the Brewers next week.

Atlanta placed Smith-Shawver (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Friday.

The right-hander is working through his rehab program after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June of last year, so his move to the 60-day IL early this season was an eventuality. Smith-Shawver could rejoin Atlanta during the second half of 2026 if he can avoid any setbacks.

Eflin is traveling to receive a second opinion for the MRI he underwent on his right elbow Wednesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Eflin departed his season debut Tuesday against the Rangers due to right elbow discomfort and landed on the injured list a day later. It's unclear what the initial reading of the MRI revealed, but heading for a second opinion is rarely a positive development.

The Royals placed Falter on the 15-day injured list Friday with left elbow inflammation.

Falter was knocked around for three runs while recording just one out in a relief appearance Wednesday versus the Twins, but it seems he might not have been pitching at 100 percent. The lefty will be eligible to return in mid-April, but it's unclear at this juncture how much time he might miss.

Feltner (glute) has been cleared to take his next turn through the rotation, which tentatively lines up to come Monday against the Astros, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

The right-hander departed his season debut Tuesday in Toronto after three scoreless frames due to a right glute contusion from a comebacker, but it won't affect his availability for his next start. Feltner had a 4.75 ERA and 1.48 WHIP while being limited to six starts last season due to back and shoulder injuries.

Dollander will pitch Saturday against the Phillies in place of the injured Jose Quintana (hamstring), Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com reports.

Dollander is set to handle the lion's share of the workload Saturday, though it could come as a bulk reliever and not a traditional starting pitcher. The right-hander opened the season in the Rockies' bullpen and yielded four runs over a four-inning relief appearance Monday against the Blue Jays. Dollander could get multiple turns either as a starter or bulk reliever while Quintana recuperates.

Lauer will start Sunday against the White Sox instead of Saturday as previously scheduled due to an illness, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

An ailment has apparently been working its way through the Blue Jays' clubhouse, and it will push Lauer back one day in the rotation. The left-hander made his season debut last Sunday versus the Athletics and had a strong showing, striking out nine while giving up two runs on three hits and a walk over 5.1 innings.

Yesavage (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Dunedin on Friday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It was reported previously that Yesavage would throw a simulated game, but he will make an official game appearance instead. The right-hander is slated to go three innings in what will be his first outing since last year's World Series. Yesavage is coming back from a right shoulder impingement and will require multiple rehab starts before rejoining the Blue Jays' rotation, but a return before the end of the month is looking increasingly plausible.