MLB Player News
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Kumar Rocker P | TEX
Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Goes five innings in season debut
Rocker (0-1) took the loss Saturday against the Reds, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk with three strikeouts across five innings.
Rocker won the fifth spot in the Rangers' rotation during the spring but had his first turn skipped due to Jacob deGrom being pushed back a day with a neck issue earlier this week, so Saturday was his 2026 season debut. Rocker surrendered three straight singles to Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart in the top of the first inning, allowing both of his runs on the three hits. He eventually settled in and threw 80 pitches. Rocker's next start will likely come next weekend in Los Angeles against the Dodgers. He won't be a recommended fantasy streaming option for that one.
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Steven Matz SP | TB
Rays' Steven Matz: Fans eight in win
Matz (2-0) earned the win Saturday against the Twins after allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out eight.
Matz tossed 58 of his 97 pitches for strikes and looked far better than in his opening outing, when he allowed four runs on six hits across five frames in a win over the Cardinals. Matz has a 10:3 K:BB through his first two starts of the season, but he should face a tougher test the next time he's on the mound since his next start is tentatively lined up for next weekend at home against the Yankees.
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Matt McLain SS | CIN
Reds' Matt McLain: Two more hits Saturday
McLain went 2-for-4 with a run scored in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Rangers.
McLain singled in the top of the first inning and came around to score on an RBI single from Elly De La Cruz. After snapping an 0-for-13 skid Friday, McLain is 4-for-9 through two games against Texas this weekend. He's now slashing .267/.389/.300 with just one extra-base hit, one RBI, three runs scored, zero stolen bases and a 5:9 BB:K across 36 plate appearances to begin the 2026 season.
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Sal Stewart 1B | CIN
Reds' Sal Stewart: Stays hot with two hits and RBI
Stewart went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Rangers.
Cincinnati scored both of its runs in the top of the first inning against Kumar Rocker, as Elly De La Cruz singled home Matt McLain before Stewart singled home De La Cruz. Through eight games, Stewart is slashing .407/.529/.741 with three doubles, two home runs, four RBI, five runs scored and a 7:5 BB:K across 34 plate appearances.
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Emilio Pagan RP | CIN
Reds' Emilio Pagan: Picks up third save Saturday
Pagan collected his third save in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Rangers, allowing one hit and two walks with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.
Pagan walked Jake Burger to lead off the inning but got Joc Pederson to ground into a double play. Pagan then walked Josh Smith before Josh Jung reached on an infield single. Evan Carter then struck out to end the threat. Pagan's outings have been adventurous this season, as he owns an 8.44 ERA and 6:3 K:BB across 5.1 innings.
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Martin Perez SP | ATL
Braves' Martin Perez: Starting Sunday
Perez will start Sunday's series finale against the Diamondbacks, Barrett Sallee of 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.
This was expected, but manager Walt Weiss confirmed that Perez will indeed step into the Atlanta rotation, replacing Jose Suarez. The 35-year-old lefty saved the bullpen after Suarez struggled Tuesday against the Athletics, allowing just two hits and striking out three over 4.1 scoreless innings. Perez figures to make at least a couple starts while the team awaits the return of Spencer Strider (oblique).
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Rhett Lowder SP | CIN
Reds' Rhett Lowder: Shuts out Texas over six innings
Lowder (1-0) earned the win Saturday against the Rangers, allowing three hits and two walks with four strikeouts across six shutout innings.
It was Lowder's first major-league win since September of 2024, as he was limited to just five minor-league starts last season due to oblique and forearm issues. Lowder won a job in the Reds' rotation this spring, and the 24-year-old breezed through six shutout frames on 82 pitches. Through two starts this year, Lowder has a 1.64 ERA and 9:4 K:BB across 11 innings. He tentatively lines up to make his next start on the road versus the Marlins next week.
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Luis Morales SP | ATH
Athletics' Luis Morales: Can't find plate in loss
Morales (0-2) took the loss Saturday, coughing up five runs on eight hits and six walks over three-plus innings as the A's were routed 11-0 by the Astros. He failed to strike out a batter.
It was a disastrous outing for Morales, who managed only 38 strikes on 77 pitches before getting the hook after he walked the leadoff batter in the fourth inning. The right-hander may not be long for the rotation if he can't tighten up his control, and through two starts he carries a 12.27 ERA, 2.86 WHIP and 5:8 K:BB over 7.1 innings. His next start is scheduled to come on the road next weekend against the Mets.
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Christian Walker 1B | HOU
Astros' Christian Walker: Swats first homer of season
Walker went 3-for-5 with a walk, a double, a home run, two RBI and three runs scored in Saturday's 11-0 win over the A's.
The veteran first baseman was one of the key figures in an 18-hit barrage for Houston, with his biggest blow being a solo shot in the third inning off Luis Morales. The homer was Walker's first of the year, and through nine games he's batting a sizzling .344 (11-for-32) with six doubles, six runs, nine RBI and a 4:6 BB:K.
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Tatsuya Imai SP | HOU
Astros' Tatsuya Imai: Fans nine in first MLB win
Imai (1-0) picked up the win in Saturday's 11-0 rout of the A's, allowing three hits and three walks over 5.2 scoreless innings. He struck out nine.
After a bumpy MLB debut that saw him last just 2.2 frames, the 27-year-old righty looked much more comfortable in his second trip to the mound Saturday as he fired 58 of 94 pitches for strikes and came one out short of his first quality start for the Astros. Imai will take a 4.32 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB through his first 8.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next weekend in Seattle.