MLB Player News

Caglianone went 3-for-3 with a triple and a walk in Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the Tigers.

Caglianone snapped out of a recent slump with his best game in weeks, reaching base in all four plate appearances. The outfielder ripped a 113.5-mph triple to lead off the third inning for Kansas City's first baserunner of the day, before drawing a walk in the fifth and being stranded at third. He added singles in both the seventh and ninth but never crossed the plate. Entering Wednesday, the former sixth overall pick had gone just 3-for-27 (.111) with a 2:12 BB:K over his previous eight games. Following the breakout performance, Caglianone is now batting a respectable .275 with a .754 OPS on the season.

Flaherty did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Royals, allowing one run on two hits and three walks while striking out seven over six innings.

The right-hander was dominant for much of the outing, opening the game with four strikeouts over the first two innings while needing just 25 pitches. Flaherty's only blemish came in the fifth, when back-to-back walks set up an RBI single from Kyle Isbel. After a mediocre start to the year, the 30-year-old has looked much sharper over his last two starts, allowing just two runs while striking out 13 across 11.2 innings. Flaherty has now lowered his season ERA to 4.05, but his 14 walks remain a concern, and he'll seek to keep building momentum in his next scheduled outing against Boston.

Lugo did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Tigers, allowing one run on five hits while striking out seven over 6.2 innings.

Lugo turned in another strong outing, continuing his excellent start to the season. The right-hander faced the minimum in every inning except the third, when Detroit strung together four hits but managed only one run on a sacrifice fly that brought home Javier Baez. Outside of that frame, Lugo was in full control, limiting traffic and missing bats effectively. The 36-year-old has now logged quality starts in three of his first four outings of the campaign and has yet to allow more than two runs in any start. Through 24.1 innings, Lugo owns a sparkling 1.48 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 21:6 K:BB, though he'll face a tougher test in his next scheduled outing against Baltimore.

Leasure will work as Chicago's opening pitcher Thursday against the Rays, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Leasure gave up four earned runs over his first four appearances of the season, but he has since fired 4.2 shutout frames. The White Sox will now trust him to handle the first inning or two of Thursday's series finale before he hands the ball over to Anthony Kay for bulk-relief work.

Cleavinger (calf) is scheduled to face hitters in live batting practice Thursday, per MLB.com.

The left-hander is working his way back from right calf tightness, and the expectation is that he'll be able to rejoin Tampa Bay's bullpen at some point in mid-to-late April. Cleavinger has given up two runs on three hits and four walks over 2.1 innings to begin the year, so it's possible the Rays will ease him back into the high-leverage mix once he's cleared to return.

Weiss is slated to start Thursday's game against the Rockies in Houston, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Weiss has been hit around quite a bit during his last two relief appearances, conceding nine runs (eight earned) on 12 hits and four walks while striking out eight batters over five innings. However, the Astros are running low on options with seven starting pitchers currently on the injured list, so the 29-year-old righty will be called upon to make his first MLB start. He'll at least benefit from a favorable matchup, as the Rockies rank in the bottom third of MLB with a .681 OPS.

Romano (0-2) was charged with the loss and a blown save Wednesday against the Angels, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk in one-third of an inning.

Romano simply didn't have his best stuff Wednesday -- even the one out he recorded was a sharp lineout by Giancarlo Stanton. The right-hander got just 12 of his 21 offerings to hit for strikes, and Jose Caballero drove in a pair of runs on a double to walk it off for the Yankees. Although Romano has converted four of his six save chances so far, he's given up five runs in his past two outings and now owns a dismal 8.44 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 7:5 K:BB through 5.1 innings. He could soon have more competition for ninth-inning work in the form of Kirby Yates (knee), who is nearing his return from the IL.

Gil took a no-decision Wednesday against the Angels, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out five.

Following a shaky season debut against the Rays, Gil struggled once again Wednesday. Control remained an issue -- the right-hander walked multiple batters in his second straight outing and threw just 48 of his 83 pitches for strikes -- and three of his hits allowed were home runs. Gil has now coughed up seven runs on eight hits (four homers) and five walks over his first nine innings, so he shapes up as a volatile fantasy option next week versus Boston.

Kochanowicz took a no-decision Wednesday against the Yankees, allowing three runs on four hits and four walks in 6.2 innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander held his own versus a formidable Yankees lineup, turning in his second consecutive quality start Wednesday. Kochanowicz induced 10 groundouts on the evening, though he also issued at least four free passes for the third time in four starts on the year. While Kochanowicz does hold a respectable 3.47 ERA and 1.24 WHIP through 23.1 innings, his 18:15 K:BB makes him a risky fantasy option against Toronto next week.

McKinstry was pulled from Wednesday's game against Kansas City with hip soreness, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

McKinstry left the game after he came up hobbling following a collision with Jac Caglianone in the seventh inning. Manager A.J. Hinch said after the game that he was always planning to keep McKinstry on the bench Thursday, so he'll have an extra day to recover before potentially returning to the starting nine Friday.