MLB Player News

Burns did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Rangers, allowing one run on five hits and one walk with nine strikeouts over six innings.

Burns opened with six scoreless innings before surrendering a solo homer in the seventh and leaving the 1-1 tie without recording an out in the frame. He threw 59 of 87 pitches for strikes while generating an eye-popping 21 whiffs and has now tallied 16 strikeouts through his first two starts this season. The 23-year-old has allowed just one run across 11 innings and lines up for a home matchup against the Angels next weekend.

Webb (0-1) allowed three runs on three hits and a walk while retiring only one batter to take the loss in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader against the Guardians.

Webb has now made four appearances so far this season, and he's been scored on in half of them. The righty is sitting with an ugly 7.36 ERA, and he's nothing more than a low-leverage option for the Cubs at the moment, which limits his fantasy ceiling. Webb did pitch better for the Rangers last year, however, posting a 3.00 ERA and 58 strikeouts across 66 innings of relief, which suggests that better performances could be ahead after a middling start to 2026.

Quintana (hamstring) has resumed playing catch, MLB.com reports.

Quintana returned to throwing only three days after being placed on the injured list, a positive sign that his absence won't be long-term. However, he also hasn't been cleared for any additional activity, so his exact timeline for a return is unclear.

Palencia tossed a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout to earn the save in a 1-0 win over the Guardians in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader.

Palencia has been sharp so far this year with three scoreless appearances, though Sunday marked his first save opportunity and conversion. The hard-throwing righty led the Cubs with 22 regular-season saves in 2025, and that was after not beginning the year as the team's closer. Palencia was the Opening Day closer this year, and the save chances should start to stack up as the season progresses, giving him a fairly high ceiling as a fantasy option.

Paddack did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one unearned run on three hits and four walks across 4.2 innings in relief against the Yankees. He struck out four.

The Marlins elected to use an opener ahead of Paddack on Sunday after he gave up eight runs in four innings in his season debut against the White Sox. It certainly appeared to be the right decision, as Paddack held the Yankees to a lone unearned run, despite having some trouble with his command. It remains to be seen if the Marlins will utilize Paddack as a traditional starter or in a bulk role in his next outing, tentatively scheduled for next week in Detroit.

Garcia went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Rockies.

Garcia accounted for the Phillies' lone run and was the only member of the starting lineup to reach base multiple times Sunday. Garcia's home run in the second inning was his second as a member of the Phillies, and the veteran outfielder is slashing .294/.306/.529 with the two homers, four RBI, three runs scored and a 1:9 BB:K across 36 plate appearances.

Walker (0-2) took the loss Sunday against the Rockies, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts across five innings.

After surrendering seven runs (six earned) over 4.2 innings in his season debut last Monday against the Nationals, things didn't go much better for Walker on Sunday, as he allowed a pair of home runs in the first inning before Mickey Moniak tagged him for a third homer allowed in the fifth frame. Through two starts, Walker has an ugly 9.31 ERA and 6:5 K:BB across 9.2 innings. Once Zack Wheeler (shoulder) is ready to return, Walker may be the odd man out of the rotation.

Horwitz went 1-for-2 with a single, two walks and a run scored Sunday against the Orioles.

Horwitz started his fourth straight game at first base, and he's reached base in each of those contests. He's been particularly patient, with his two free passes Sunday bringing his walk rate to 14.3 percent. Despite the value he has brought to Pittsburgh's lineup, he has only two runs and two RBI with only a .174 batting average across 28 plate appearances.

Bender picked up the save in Sunday's 7-6 win over the Yankees despite allowing two runs on a hit and three walks over one inning. He struck out two.

With Pete Fairbanks serving as the opener Sunday, the Marlins turned to Bender in the ninth inning with a three-run lead. After issuing a pair of walks, Bender gave up a two-run double to Jazz Chisholm before ultimately striking out J.C. Escarra to escape with a 7-6 win and his first save this season. After two scoreless appearances to open the year, Bender has given up four runs in just 1.1 innings in his last two outings. The right-hander logged four saves in 2025 while posting a 2.16 ERA with a 1.06 WHIP across 50 innings.

Vodnik secured his first save in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Phillies, allowing two hits with three strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

Vodnik blew his first save opportunity of the season last Sunday against the Marlins but worked around a pair of singles in the ninth inning to eventually strike out the side. Vodnik has a 4.50 ERA and 4:0 K:BB across four innings early on in the 2026 campaign.