MLB Player News

Neto went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 1-0 win against Seattle.

Neto led off the game with a solo blast off Emerson Hancock, and that proved to the only run scored by either team in the contest. The talented young shortstop has gone deep three times through nine games to begin the campaign, though he's tallied just four RBI. Nonetheless, Neto is looking like one of fantasy's top shortstops again this season after posting a .793 OPS with 26 homers and 26 steals over 128 contests last year.

Hancock (1-1) took the loss against the Angels on Saturday, allowing one run on six hits and no walks while striking out five batters over 6.2 innings.

Hancock served up a leadoff home run to Zach Neto but bounced back by keeping the Angels off the scoreboard over the remainder of his outing. He tossed 58 of 82 pitches for strikes and induced 13 whiffs, but the Mariners' offense couldn't produce any runs -- largely due to Angels right fielder Jo Adell, who robbed Seattle of a homer on three different occasions. Despite the loss, this was another promising start for Hancock, who has now given up just one run across 12.2 frames while posting a 14:1 K:BB through two starts. He began the season in the rotation because of Bryce Miller's oblique strain and placement on the 15-day IL, but it's hard to see Hancock giving up his starting role if he continues to pitch anywhere near this well.

Romano earned a save against the Mariners on Saturday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

Romano entered in the ninth frame with the task of protecting a 1-0 lead. He got through the inning unscathed thanks in part to right fielder Jo Adell, who robbed J.P. Crawford of what had appeared to be a game-tying leadoff homer. Romano retired the next two batters on a popout and a punchout, giving him three saves in three chances to begin the campaign. He's putting a stranglehold on the Angels' closer role with 4.2 scoreless frames and a 7:2 K:BB through five appearances.

Kochanowicz (1-0) earned the win over Seattle on Saturday, allowing four hits and issuing two walks while striking out seven batters over 5.2 scoreless innings.

Kochanowicz gave up six runs (five earned) over four innings in his season debut against Houston last Sunday, but he was much more effective Saturday. The right-hander held the Mariners without a run over his 5.2 frames, though he got some help from right fielder Jo Adell, who robbed Seattle of one homer while Kochanowicz was in the game and two more following the hurler's departure. One particularly promising aspect of Kochanowicz's outing was his 12 whiffs and seven punchouts -- he posted a 5.8 K/9 over 111 innings last season and topped seven strikeouts only once across 23 starts. Kochanowicz will try to build upon this impressive appearance the next time he takes the mound, which tentatively lines up to be next week in Cincinnati.

Garcia went 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Saturday's Game 2 win over Milwaukee.

It was Garcia's second multi-hit game of the young campaign, and he picked up only his second extra-base knock. He wasn't quite as productive in the matinee, going 0-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts. The infielder has logged at least one hit in six of his first eight contests, also posting one stolen base thus far. Garcia has been Kansas City's everyday leadoff man to begin the year, which should give him plenty of chances to score runs and swipe bags in the future.

Perez went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, two walks and an additional run scored in Saturday's Game 2 win over Milwaukee.

The homer was Perez's second of the young season, and he also drew a season-high two walks. He also started Game 1 and went 0-for-4 with a strikeout. The veteran backstop has hit safely in six of his first eight games, though he's without any multi-hit efforts to this point. Perez has hit cleanup in each of Kansas City's first eight contests, so he should have plenty of RBI chances moving ahead.

Lugo took a no-decision Saturday against the Brewers, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out seven.

Lugo built off a successful season debut, when he permitted five hits across 6.1 shutout innings against Atlanta last weekend, and on Saturday he most notably escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning. The right-hander took on a full workload in his second start, launching 103 pitches, and he also generated a respectable 10 whiffs. Lugo has a favorable matchup versus the division-rival White Sox on tap for his next start, so he should continue to hold streaming appeal.

X-rays on Emerson's right foot were negative after he left the first game of Triple-A Tacoma's doubleheader against El Paso on Saturday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

The Mariners' top prospect seems to have avoided a serious injury after fouling a pitch off his foot in his first plate appearance of the day. He stayed in the game initially but was then lifted the next half-inning. This comes just days after he signed an eight-year, $95 million extension with Seattle at 20 years old, and both sides are likely breathing a sigh of relief.

Weathers did not factor into the decision Saturday against Miami, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks with four strikeouts across 3.2 innings.

Weathers really struggled with his command, walking a batter in each of the first three innings as he dealt with significant traffic on the bases versus his former team. The left-hander was pulled in the fourth inning after needing 88 pitches to record just 11 outs. Weathers has yet to factor into a decision through two starts and will carry a 4.50 ERA and an 11:5 K:BB across eight innings into his next start at home against the Athletics.

Avila (0-1) took the loss Saturday against the Brewers, allowing five runs on eight hits and three walks in three innings. He struck out four.

Making his first career major-league start, Avila was tagged for four extra-base hits Saturday. The right-hander lacked control on top of his poor pitch location, tossing only 40 of his 73 pitches for strikes. Michael Wacha needed his turn in the Kansas City rotation skipped this weekend to deal with an illness, so the expectation is that Avila was just making a spot start against Milwaukee and may head back to the minor leagues shortly.