MLB Player News

Mean is scheduled to undergo an MRI after leaving Wednesday's start against Milwaukee with left forearm tightness, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.

The left-hander apparently isn't overly concerned about the injury and hopes to throw again shortly after the MRI. Means didn't factor in the decision Wednesday after giving up two runs on two hits with two strikeouts and one walk across four innings, and his availability for his next turn through the rotation will remain in question at least until the Orioles update his status.

Kelly struck out six in 5.1 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and two walks in a 3-2 win Wednesday over Houston. He did not factor into the decision.

Kelly has not allowed a run in either of his two starts, striking out 13 in 9.1 innings. Not known as a strikeout pitcher, the 33-year-old also struck out 13 batters in seven Cactus League frames this spring. Time will tell if Kelly's recent increase in velocity is here to stay and will continue to result in more strikeouts. His next start is likely early next week in Washington.

Valdez allowed a run on two hits and five walks in three innings while striking out three in a 3-2 loss Wednesday in Arizona. He did not factor into the decision.

Four of Valdez's five walks were on four pitches and he also hit a batter as he struggled with his command all day. He needed 75 pitches to get through three innings. The 28-year-old has averaged 4.0 BB/9 for his career, so Wednesday's struggles are nothing new. His next start is likely early next week against the Angels.

Nola (1-1) took the loss Wednesday against the Mets, giving up three runs on three hits and three walks over 3.1 innings as the Phillies fell 9-6. He struck out five.

The right-hander dodged baserunners in each of the first two innings to keep the game scoreless, but Nola's luck -- and Philadelphia's -- began to run out in the third. He got the hook after throwing 76 pitches (47 strikes), and Nola will take a 6.75 ERA and 12:3 K:BB through 9.1 innings to begin the season into his next start, scheduled for Monday at Coors Field against the Rockies.

Paddack (0-1) allowed three earned runs on six hits and no walks while striking out three across four innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Paddack allowed all of his runs in the first two innings of the game, though he settled in to retire six of the final seven batters he faced. While Paddack took the loss in his first start with the Twins, he did not allow a home run or a walk, the former particularly noteworthy given he entered the game having surrendered a 1.5 HR/9 across 308 career big-league innings. The Twins are employing a six-man rotation to begin the season, so his starts will be limited. Paddack currently projects to take the mound Wednesday at Kansas City.

Means was removed from Tuesday's start versus the Brewers with left forearm tightness, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Means made an abrupt exit after four innings during Tuesday's start, and his initial diagnosis is a worrying one. He left in line for the loss after giving up two runs on two hits with two strikeouts and one walk. The specifics and severity of the injury remain unclear, but forearm tightness is often a precursor to more serious issues. Means should be considered day-to-day until more information is available, leaving his availability for the next turn through the rotation up in the air.

Kershaw (1-0) did not allow a baserunner while striking out 13 across seven scoreless innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Twins.

Kershaw made his long-awaited season debut, and he delivered a perfect game through seven innings. He racked up 20 swinging strikes across 80 total pitches, which helped him match his highest strikeout total since June 13 of the 2021 campaign. Though his pitch count was strictly limited and his velocity was down two mph on both his slider and curveball (per baseball savant), Kershaw delivered an excellent start to his 2022 campaign. He currently projects to return to the mound Monday against Atlanta.

Means was removed from Tuesday's game against the Brewers after four innings for undisclosed reasons, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Means was at only 51 pitches and had retired seven straight batters since allowing a two-out, RBI single during the second inning, so his exit clearly isn't performance-related. The 28-year-old left in line for the loss and allowed two runs on two hits and a walk with two strikeouts. Means' status should be updated by the team sometime during or after Wednesday's contest.

Webb (1-0) pitched eight innings, striking out seven and allowing one run on four hits in a 2-1 win Wednesday over San Diego.

After allowing a one-out RBI triple to Jake Cronenworth in the first inning, Webb shut down the Padres the rest of the way, giving up just two singles. The eight innings pitched was the most of any starter in baseball so far this season. The 25-year-old has given up just one run in each of his two starts in 2022. His next start will likely come early next week against the Mets.

Eovaldi (1-0) allowed two earned runs on four hits and one walk while striking out six across five innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Tigers.

Eovaldi surrendered a pair of solo home runs -- one in the opening inning and the other in the fifth -- but otherwise limited the Detroit offense. The Tigers did make him work, however, as they fouled off 32 of Eovaldi's offerings and ran his pitch count to 101 across five frames of work. Eovaldi has worked five innings in each of his first two starts and posted a 13:2 K:BB in that span, though he's also surrendered four long balls.