MLB Player News

King (3-1) earned the win Sunday, allowing a hit and four walks over five scoreless innings against the Angels. He struck out six.

King battled inconsistent control and needed 105 pitches to complete five innings but held the opposition scoreless en route to his third win of the campaign. The right-hander has won each of his past three starts and is off to an encouraging start in 2026, posting a 2.28 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 27.2 innings (five starts). His next start is slated for the weekend on the road against the Diamondbacks.

Triple-A Indianapolis placed Harbin (lat) on its 60-day injured list March 18.

Harbin was shut down early in spring training with a right lat strain and will be out for at least the first two months of the Triple-A campaign while he recovers from the injury. Pittsburgh added Harbin to its 40-man roster over the winter after he finished 2025 with a 4.69 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 92:46 K:BB in 63.1 innings across three minor-league levels.

Ward started at first base and went 2-for-5 with an RBI in Sunday's loss to the Rockies.

Ward made his big-league debut and produced early, notching his first MLB hit and RBI with a fourth-inning single. The reigning Pacific Coast League MVP was off to a monster start at Triple-A Oklahoma City, posting a 1.020 OPS through 18 games, which prompted his promotion following Freddie Freeman's move to the paternity list. Earning regular opportunities with the Dodgers will be difficult, though Ward has more than proven himself against Triple-A pitching and turned in an encouraging MLB debut.

Ray (2-3) took the loss Sunday against the Nationals, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out seven over six innings.

Ray was sharp early, holding Washington scoreless through four innings before running into trouble in the fifth. An RBI double by Keibert Ruiz opened the scoring, and Curtis Mead followed later in the inning with a two-run homer. Despite the blemish, Ray still delivered a quality start, but San Francisco's offense again provided no support, leaving him stuck with another loss. The left-hander continues to pitch well, posting a 2.86 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and a 31:11 K:BB across 28.1 innings and will seek to continue his success in his next outing, where he's set to face Miami.

Karros went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, an additional run scored and a walk in Sunday's 9-6 win over the Dodgers.

Karros blasted his first homer of 2026, turning on a Roki Sasaki fastball and sending it 448 feet into the left-field bleachers in the fifth inning. In addition to being his first long ball, it marked the third baseman's first extra-base hit since March 29, when he doubled against the Marlins. With just a .633 OPS through 22 games, Karros will look to build on this performance and find his stride at the plate.

Moniak went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run, an additional RBI and an additional run scored in Sunday's win over the Dodgers.

Moniak was a key contributor in Sunday's win, launching a 428-foot homer off Blake Treinen to give the Rockies the lead in the seventh inning. The outfielder is off to a strong start in 2026, slashing .273/.305/.655 with six homers, three doubles, 12 RBI and 10 runs through 16 games. The 27-year-old remains a non-factor against left-handed pitching but has steadily produced against right-handers since joining Colorado in 2025.

Julien went 3-for-5 with a double, three RBI and a run scored in Sunday's win over the Dodgers.

Julien had a standout day at the plate, recording his first three-hit, three-RBI effort of the campaign. Sunday snapped a cold spell, as the 26-year-old had been hitless over his previous six appearances. Julien has regularly operated as the Rockies' leadoff man against right-handed pitching in 2026, slashing .259/.355/.352 with one homer, two doubles, eight RBI, six runs and two stolen bases across 20 contests.

Diaz entered in the eighth inning and allowed three runs on three hits and a walk without recording an out in Sunday's loss to the Rockies.

Diaz made his first appearance since April 10, with the Dodgers trailing in the eighth inning, and failed to record an out as the Rockies extended their lead. The right-hander didn't allow hard contact, with no exit velocities above 88.0 mph, but his own velocity was down, as the 32-year-old's fastball averaged 95.4 mph Sunday after sitting at 97.3 mph last regular season. The loss in fastball velocity has been a prominent storyline in the first few weeks of the season, though there has been no indication of an injury. With a 10.50 ERA, 2.33 WHIP and four saves across six innings in 2026, Diaz's usage, velocity and effectiveness will be worth monitoring moving forward.

Sasaki did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against the Rockies. He struck out two.

Sasaki avoided a disastrous outing at Coors Field but failed to complete five innings and struggled to generate whiffs. There was hope the young right-hander would take a step forward in 2026 after a disappointing rookie campaign, but that hasn't materialized early, as he owns a 6.11 ERA and 1.87 WHIP with a 17:12 K:BB across 17.2 innings (four starts). Sasaki is projected to make his next start Saturday against the Cubs, when he'll be looking for his first win of the season.

Brannigan (nose) has gone 3-for-19 (.158 average) with a 1:13 BB:K in five games for Double-A Altoona since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list Tuesday.

Shelved to begin the season after fracturing his nose in his lone Grapefruit League game Feb. 22, Brannigan was cleared to begin a rehab assignment April 3 and went 6-for-21 with a pair of solo home runs in six games between stops at Single-A Bradenton and High-A Greensboro. He struck out at a 43.5 percent clip during his rehab assignment, and making consistent contact has remained an issue for the 25-year-old since he reported back to Altoona. Brannigan was added to the Pirates' 40-man roster over the winter, but he doesn't appear likely to get a look with the big club anytime soon.