MLB Player News

Skubal (1-2) took the loss against the Twins on Tuesday, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out seven across 4.2 innings.

Skubal opened things up by striking out four of the first seven batters he faced. He kept the Twins off the board through four frames, but things fell apart for the reigning AL Cy Young winner in the fifth, when he yielded four runs on three hits and two walks before being pulled. Skubal gave up just one earned run through his first two starts of the season, so Tuesday's outing can be considered a blip on the radar for the 29-year-old southpaw. He still generated 19 whiffs while recording 65 strikes on 95 pitches (68.4 percent). Skubal's next start is tentatively slated for this weekend at home against the Marlins.

MRI results on deGrom's right knee came back negative Tuesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

DeGrom left his start Monday after feeling tenderness in his right knee, but testing has determined that he didn't suffer any structural damage and isn't facing an extended absence. The Rangers will have him throw a bullpen session in the next couple of days to see how he feels, but he's still expected to make his next start, which is lined up to come against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Del Castillo started at designated hitter and went 1-for-5 with two RBI in Tuesday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Mets.

With two outs and the bases loaded, Del Castillo challenged a called third strike, which was ruled a ball upon review. He didn't waste his second life and delivered a two-run single to right field to knot the game at 2-2. One batter later, Nolan Arenado doubled in the go-ahead run. The lefty batting Del Castillo, who was activated from the injured list Saturday, made his second start in three games since coming off the IL, both as the DH against right-handers.

Topa earned the save in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Tigers, allowing one walk and no hits in a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.

Eric Orze was given the initial save opportunity but was pulled after yielding an RBI double to Kevin McGonigle. With Cole Sands and Taylor Rogers already deployed earlier in the game, the Twins turned to Topa, who proceeded to seal the win for Minnesota after getting two of the next three batters to ground out. Topa is one of three Twins pitchers to record a save this season, but there doesn't appear to be a clear-cut favorite for the closing job in Minnesota as of yet.

Bradley (2-0) came away with the win against the Tigers on Tuesday, allowing one run on six hits while striking out 10 across 6.1 innings. He did not issue a walk.

Bradley set the tone by striking out the first two batters he faced, and he struck out at least one batter in each of the next six frames. He was tagged with an earned run after Parker Meadows came around to score in the seventh, but that was the only blemish in an outstanding start for Bradley, who generated 15 whiffs while logging 68 strikes on 104 pitches (65.4 percent). Bradley has logged back-to-back quality starts and has yielded only two runs while striking out 22 batters across 16.2 innings to open the season. He's slated to start this weekend on the road against the Blue Jays.

Vargas started at first base and went 1-for-5 in Tuesday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Mets.

Vargas got the first crack at first base after the Diamondbacks placed Carlos Santana (adductor) on the 10-day injured list Tuesday. Arizona called up Luken Baker to replace Santana, adding another body to a rotation of players that could see time with both Santana and Pavin Smith (elbow) sidelined. in addition to Vargas and Baker, the Diamondbacks could deploy Jose Fernandez and Tim Tawa at first base.

Kirby (1-2) took the loss against the Rangers on Tuesday, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out four across eight innings. He did not issue a walk.

Kirby ended up being the only pitcher deployed by the Mariners during Tuesday's game, tossing 68 strikes in 90 pitches (75.6 percent) while inducing 12 groundouts. He kept the Rangers off the board for the majority of his start but gave up three runs in the fifth inning, including a two-run homer to Kyle Higashioka that was enough for Kirby to take the loss since his teammates failed to generate any more runs. Kirby has recorded a quality start in each of his first three appearances of the season and has a 3.60 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB across 20 innings. He'll look to get back in the win column in his next start, which is slated for next week at home against the Astros.

Donovan went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk during the Mariners' 3-2 loss to the Rangers on Tuesday.

Donovan wasted no time getting the Mariners on the board, taking the first pitch of the game from Nathan Eovaldi deep to right field for a solo shot. It was Donovan's third home run of the season, and he appears to be past the groin injury that caused him to miss the Mariners' final two games of the weekend series against the Angels. He has gone 12-for-35 (.343) with a steal and five RBI to open the season.

McGonigle went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Twins.

McGonigle now has at least one hit in eight of his 11 games so far, and he's batting .302 overall with an .853 OPS. The rookie infielder has hit the ground running, and it looks like he's earned a prominent spot in Detroit's lineup moving forward. McGonigle displayed similar offensive skills in the minors the past few years, and he's emerging as a fantasy weapon at just 21 years old.

Junis earned the save in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Mariners, when he allowed two hits with no strikeouts over a scoreless ninth inning.

For the second straight game, Junis was called to the mound to close out the game for the Rangers. He gave up back-to-back singles to open the ninth inning but needed just six pitches to get the next three batters out. Junis and Tyler Alexander each have two saves this season, but while Alexander's both came when Robert Garcia and Chris Martin were unavailable, Junis was deployed ahead of Martin on Tuesday. The back of the Texas bullpen remains muddled for the time being.