MLB Player News

McCullers (1-0) earned the win Monday against the Red Sox, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out nine over seven innings.

McCullers delivered a dominant outing, racking up 17 whiffs and cruising through six innings while facing the minimum number of batters before running into trouble in the seventh. The right-hander allowed two baserunners and an RBI double to Wilyer Abreu for his lone run but escaped the jam by striking out Masataka Yoshida on a full count with runners on second and third. It marked the 32-year-old's first time completing seven innings since 2022, a promising sign after injuries have limited his production in recent seasons, including a 6.51 ERA across 55.1 innings in 2025. McCullers will look to build off Monday's performance in his next scheduled start against a good Athletics lineup.

Estrada will be recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

This upcoming promotion likely means that Cody Ponce (knee), who exited Monday's start due to injury, is headed for an IL stint. Estrada will be brought up to provide length for Toronto, at least until Trey Yesavage (shoulder), Jose Berrios (elbow) or Shane Bieber (elbow) can return from the injured list, and a number of off days on the Jays' schedule in early April could mean the 26-year-old righty is needed for only one or two starts. Estrada made two relief appearances for the Blue Jays a year ago, allowing seven runs while striking out 10 and walking one over 7.1 regular-season innings.

Moncada went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in Monday's 7-2 loss to the Cubs.

Moncada's two-run shot off Colin Rea in the seventh inning accounted for all of the scoring for the Angels on Monday. Most importantly, Moncada is healthy and has started all five games to begin the season. He's 2-for-17 at the plate with the two-run homer and a 5:5 BB:K to begin the 2026 campaign.

Johnson (0-1) took the loss Monday against the Cubs, allowing six runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out four across 3.1 innings.

Used strictly out of the bullpen as a rookie at the big-league level last season, Johnson won a spot in the Angels' rotation with an impressive spring training. His first big-league start, however, will be one to forget, as Johnson allowed three runs in the first inning and three more in the third before being lifted at 80 pitches in the bottom of the fourth. Johnson should get another turn through the rotation but could eventually be the odd man out once Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder) is ready to return to action. Johnson's next start is scheduled for Sunday at home against the Mariners.

Cole has been ruled out indefinitely after fracturing a toe on his right foot during Monday's game against Triple-A Round Rock, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Cole suffered the injury in the fourth inning of Monday's matchup after being struck by a pitch. A timeline for Cole's return will likely depend on whether or not he requires surgery to repair the broken toe, but regardless, the outfielder is most likely headed for a stint on Triple-A Sugar Land's injured list. One of Houston's top prospects, Cole posted an .880 OPS in 52 plate appearances in his first taste of the majors late last season and was in contention for a spot on the Opening Day roster this spring.

Kelly recorded his first save of the season in Monday's 3-2 win over the Brewers, pitching one-third of a hitless and scoreless inning.

After left-hander Ian Seymour recorded the first two outs of the ninth inning and allowing one walk, manager Kevin Cash called on Kelly to record the 27th out of the game. It was notable that Griffin Jax was used in the seventh inning of a 2-2 game, and he pitched a scoreless and hitless frame while recording one strikeout. Jax struggled in the Rays' opening series against the Cardinals, blowing a pair of saves, so Cash could be moving to more of a committee approach at the end of games.

Martinez allowed two runs on six hits and didn't walk a batter in Monday's 3-2 win over the Brewers. He struck out three.

It was Martinez's first start of the season after he dealt with a hamstring issue late in spring training. Signed to a one-year, $13 million deal in February, the 35-year-old is expected to man a spot in the rotation for Tampa Bay this season. However, Martinez has never been a big strikeout pitcher, capping his fantasy upside. Martinez's next start should come Sunday in Minnesota.

Diaz went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 3-2 win over the Brewers.

Diaz led off the game with a solo blast off Kyle Harrison, and he later singled off Harrison in the second inning. The veteran designated hitter is swinging a hot bat to begin the season, as Diaz is 11-for-20 with one double, one home run, six RBI, four runs scored and a 1:1 BB:K through four contest.

Jax threw a clean seventh inning Monday against the Brewers. He struck out one.

Although Jax didn't get the call to work the ninth inning Monday -- it was Kevin Kelly who recorded the final out for the save -- he still worked a high-leverage situation in the seventh frame of a tie game. After the right-hander blew a pair of saves in his first two appearances of the year, it's possible the Rays wanted to deploy Jax in a different setting so that he could try and regain his footing. The expectation entering the season was that Tampa Bay would have a committee approach at closer, and the team still appears to trust Jax to pitch in key spots.

Lopez (0-1) took the loss Monday against Atlanta, allowing three runs on five hits and five walks without recording a strikeout across four innings.

Lopez generated just four whiffs on 91 pitches, and his fastball velocity was down 1.4 mph from his 2025 average of 90.8 mph. The 28-year-old started 17 games for the Athletics last season and turned in a respectable 4.08 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 113:37 K:BB across 92.2 innings. His stuff will need to improve moving forward if he's going to build on that in 2026. Lopez's next start is scheduled for Sunday at home against the Astros.