MLB Player News

Busch went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Angels.

Busch ceded leadoff duties to Nico Hoerner with the Cubs facing lefty starter Yusei Kikuchi, but the former only slid down to fifth in the order and still turned in a strong effort. The Chicago first baseman is reportedly going to face southpaws more often this season, and Wednesday was a quality showing in that regard. While Busch will likely still perform better against righties overall, his ability to stay in the lineup most days should boost his fantasy stock.

Hoerner went 3-for-5 with two doubles, an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Angels.

With Chicago facing lefty starter Yusei Kikuchi, Michael Busch slid down to fifth in the order, with Hoerner grabbing the leadoff spot. He responded with his first three-hit effort of the season and also added his fourth stolen base of the year. Hoerner is now riding a five-game hitting streak, and his ability to consistently get on base and run frequently when he does makes him a solid fantasy contributor.

Liberatore did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Mets, allowing a run on three hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out two.

Liberatore was impressive Wednesday, holding the Mets without a hit until the fifth inning before eventually giving up a lone run on a Juan Soto homer with two outs in the sixth for his first quality start of 2026. Through two starts, the 26-year-old Liberatore has given up just two runs on 10 hits and three walks while striking out four over 11 innings. The left-hander is tentatively in line for a road matchup with the Nationals his next time out.

Peralta (1-0) did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Cardinals, allowing a run on three hits and two walks across 5.1 innings. He struck out seven.

Peralta pitched well Wednesday, blanking St. Louis through his first five innings before he was ultimately charged for a run in the sixth in an eventual 2-1, extra-innings defeat. Through his first two starts with the Mets, Peralta's given up five runs on nine hits and two walks over 10.1 innings while striking out seven in both outings. He's currently slated for a home matchup with the Diamondbacks his next time out.

Manager Dave Roberts told reporters Wednesday that Wrobleski will get a start during the Dodgers' upcoming six-game road trip, Jon Paul Hoornstra of Newsweek.com reports.

Roberts did not indicate which day Wrobleski will start, but that will come either this weekend against the Nationals or next week against the Blue Jays. The southpaw was unable to crack the Dodgers' rotation coming out of training camp, but earlier reports indicated that the 25-year-old would serve in a hybrid role out of the bullpen. His ability to make spot starts will periodically give Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani and the rest of the Dodgers starters an extra day of rest. Wrobleski made his 2026 regular-season debut against the Guardians on Sunday, when he allowed three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out two across four innings.

Misiorowski did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Rays, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks across six innings. He struck out seven.

It was another strong effort from Misiorowski, with the lone damage coming on Yandy Diaz's two-run homer in the third inning. Through two starts, the right-hander has allowed three runs on six hits and five walks while punching out 18 over 11 innings. Misiorowski has also given up a pair of homers this year, with the long balls and walks being his only areas of concern at the moment. He is currently slated to face the Red Sox on the road his next time out.

Boyd (1-1) earned the win Wednesday against the Angels, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out 10.

Boyd was dialed in for his second start after coughing up six runs in a rough season debut, turning in his ninth career game with at least 10 strikeouts. The left-hander threw 64 of his 98 pitches for strikes Wednesday, and he also registered a staggering 20 whiffs on the afternoon. Boyd will be looking to carry this momentum into his next start, which is slated for next week at pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field versus the Rays.

Rojas is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Guardians.

Rojas received the start at second base on Opening Day, but he's been on the bench for the Dodgers' other three games against right-handed pitchers so far this season. The veteran infielder's other two starts have come versus lefties, with the switch-hitting Alex Freeland seemingly settling into the strong side of a platoon at the keystone.

Abbott (0-1) took the loss Wednesday, giving up four runs on five hits and three walks over 5.2 innings as the Reds fell 8-3 to the Pirates. He struck out five.

The big blow off Abbott was a three-run homer by Oneil Cruz in the first inning, and while the southpaw settled down from there, that was too much of a cushion to give Paul Skenes. Abbott tossed 55 of 88 pitches for strikes, and through his first two starts of the year he's managed a 3.09 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 9:4 K:BB in 11.2 innings. He'll look for his first win of 2026 in his next outing, which is set to come on the road next week in Miami.

Cruz went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 8-3 win over the Reds.

The center fielder got things rolling for the Pirates when he hooked an Andrew Abbott curveball 407 feet down the right-field line in the first inning. Cruz has three homers in six games to begin the season, and all three have come in the last two days. He's batting .304 (7-for-23) with six RBI and seven runs, though he's still looking for his first steal of 2026.