MLB Player News

Elder (1-0) picked up the win Monday against the Athletics, allowing just five hits and one walk while striking out five across six scoreless innings.

With all of the injuries in the Atlanta rotation, Elder opened the season in the starting five and breezed his way through his first outing of 2026. He needed just 83 pitches (52 strikes) to get through six frames and surrendered only one extra-base hit. Elder's next start should come Sunday against the Diamondbacks in Arizona.

Hicks went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and an additional RBI in Monday's 9-4 loss to the White Sox.

Hicks cracked his second homer of the campaign Monday. Most of the 26-year-old backstop's action in 2026 is likely to come at either catcher, designated hitter or first base, as Agustin Ramirez is locked in as Miami's top catcher, and Hicks is making an early case for the Marlins to find ways to get his bat into the lineup.

Vargas went 2-for-4 with a home run, six RBI and two runs scored in Monday's 9-4 win over the Marlins.

Vargas piled up a career-high six RBI, also blasting his first homer of the campaign. The infielder led off Monday for the first time this season and has also hit third in another contest this year, and he'll likely need maintain a spot high in the batting order to boost his fantasy upside in a fairly lackluster White sox lineup.

Martin (1-0) tallied the win Monday against the Marlins, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out six.

Martin wasn't spectacular in his season debut, but he received plenty of run support and was able to nab his first win of the year. The right-hander wasn't particularly efficient either, throwing just 54 of his 92 pitches for strikes, and three of his hits given up went for extra bases. Martin's next start is scheduled for this weekend at home versus the Blue Jays, making him difficult to trust in fantasy lineups in a tough matchup.

Holmes (1-0) earned the win against the Cardinals on Monday, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five over 5.2 innings.

Holmes surrendered an early run in the first inning but settled in from there, shutting down St. Louis over the next four frames. The right-hander was one out away from a quality start before Nolan Gorman tagged him for a solo homer in the sixth, immediately ending his outing. Following this strong start to the season, the 33-year-old is lined up to face San Francisco in his next start, a favorable matchup given the Giants' offensive struggles so far in 2026.

Paddack (0-1) took the loss Monday against the White Sox, allowing eight runs on eight hits and no walks in four innings. He struck out six.

Despite getting what appeared to be a soft matchup versus the lowly White Sox, Paddack completely came apart following two scoreless frames to begin his outing. Chicago plated four runs in each of the subsequent innings, though Paddack was at least able to fan six and register 15 whiffs to provide something of a silver lining Monday. Paddack's next start is lined up to come in New York against the Yankees, and he won't be a recommended streaming option for that one.

Schreiber picked up the save Monday against the Twins by allowing one hit in a scoreless inning.

Lucas Erceg pitched in back-to-back days Saturday and Sunday, so it was Schreiber who got the call in a save situation in Monday's series opener. The right-hander retired the first two batters he faced before giving up a single to Ryan Jeffers. Schreiber was then able to slam the door by getting Matt Wallner to ground out. It's not clear how many save opportunities Schreiber will get this year, as Erceg and Matt Strahm were likely unavailable due to recent workload and Carlos Estevez (ankle) is dealing with an injury, but it was promising to see Schreiber come through when called upon.

Phillips earned the save Monday against the Pirates, walking two in a hitless and scoreless ninth inning. He struck out one.

Closer Emilio Pagan was likely unavailable after working each of the past two days for Cincinnati, opening the door for Phillips to claim his first save opportunity of the year. Monday marked Phillips' first career major-league save, though the right-hander doesn't figure to see very much ninth-inning work in 2026 when Pagan or other Reds high-leverage arms are available.

Ashcraft (0-1) took the loss Monday against the Reds, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks in six innings. He struck out three.

The right-hander was saddled with a tough-luck loss, logging a quality start in his season debut. The four walks allowed matched a career high for Ashcraft, but it was still a fine showing overall at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park. Ashcraft's next start is scheduled to come over the weekend at home versus the Orioles, and he'll be trying to reach the 90-pitch mark after tossing 87 pitches Monday.

Bubic (1-0) collected the win after allowing one run on two hits and three walks while striking out four across six innings Monday against the Twins.

Bubic dealt with plenty of traffic on the base paths due to the three walks he issued, but the Twins' only run of the contest came on a solo home run by Matt Wallner in the top of the second inning. Bubic's 2025 campaign came to an early end after he was diagnosed with a left rotator cuff strain in July, so this was a strong first outing to 2026 for the southpaw. His next start tentatively lines up for Sunday against Milwaukee.