MLB Player News

Pearson allowed four hits and a single run, fanning eight, over 3.2 innings is his season debut at Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday.

Pearson walked just one batter, throwing 53 of his 78 pitches for strikes, and will likely be looking to build up his pitch count in his next appearance. He could be a candidate for a rotation spot with the Blue Jays after a few more starts in Buffalo.

Kittredge will work as the Rays' opening pitcher in front of bulk reliever Ryan Yarbrough in Wednesday's game against the Angels, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Kittredge hasn't surpassed two innings or 26 pitches in any of his nine outings this season, so he shouldn't be expected to push far past those levels before giving way to Yarbrough. The 31-year-old right-hander has posted a 1.54 ERA and 0.77 WHIP across 11.2 innings in 2021.

Yarbrough will work as the Rays' primary pitcher behind opener Andrew Kittredge in Wednesday's game against the Angels, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Yarbrough has operated as a traditional starter in four of his first six starts, but he'll be following an opener for the third time in his last four turns through the rotation. He's enjoyed far better results in his two outings as a primary pitcher, limiting opposing batters to a .411 OPS while going 1-0 with 10 strikeouts across 10.2 innings.

Kay (0-2) allowed four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four over four innings to take the loss against Oakland on Tuesday.

The left-hander's second appearance of the season went much like his first, as Kay was unable to pitch beyond the fourth inning and allowed four earned runs. All of the damage against him came in the second frame, when Oakland struck for a two-run double and a two-run home run. Kay has now allowed eight earned runs over 7.1 innings this season while compiling a 7:2 K:BB. He could get another start this weekend at Houston, but Kay will likely eventually cede his rotation spot to Nate Pearson (groin).

Wittgren (1-1) pitched a perfect seventh inning to earn the win in Tuesday's 7-3 victory over Kansas City.

Wittgren became the pitcher of record when Cleveland rallied for four runs in the top of the eighth inning. The right-hander has kept runs off the scoreboard in five of his last six outings. He's had a rough start to the year with a 6.48 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 7:4 K:BB across 8.1 innings, but he's been more effective in recent outings. He's picked up one save and three holds in nine appearances, although Wittgren seems to do better in a lower-leverage role.

Hentges gave up two runs on six hits and two walks with a pair of strikeouts in 3.1 innings in Tuesday's 7-3 win over Kansas City. He did not factor in the decision.

Hentges was a little too generous with baserunners, although he largely got away with it. Salvador Perez got the better of the southpaw twice, hitting an RBI single in the third inning and a solo home run in the fifth. Hentges has a 5.00 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 8:2 K:BB across nine innings this season. He has a loose grip on the fifth starter role and tentatively lines up to face Cincinnati at home this weekend if he remains in the rotation.

Maton allowed a run on two hits and a walk with three strikeouts in Tuesday's 7-3 win over Kansas City. He did not factor in the decision.

Maton worked as an opener Tuesday, and the only run he allowed came on a Michael Taylor single in the second inning. Through 10 innings this season, Maton owns a 4.50 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB. He'll likely return to a low-leverage role in the bullpen.

Montero (3-1) pitched the eighth inning of Tuesday's 5-2 victory over Baltimore to earn the win, allowing two hits and a hit batsman.

The outing was far from clean, as Montero loaded the bases with two outs before inducing a groundout to escape the jam. His three wins are a bit misleading, as he sports a 3.89 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with four saves, four blown saves and only 10 strikeouts in 14 innings. It looks like Kendall Graveman has leapfrogged Montero as the No. 1 arm in the bullpen.

Lakins (1-3) took the loss against Seattle on Tuesday, giving up a single, two walks and three runs without recording an out.

Lakins entered the eighth in a tight 1-1 game and proceeded to load the bases before Tanner Scott allowed all three runners to score on a sacrifice fly and a grand slam. All five earned runs Lakins has surrendered on the year have come during his last two appearances, and he'll likely need to regain manager Brandon Hyde's trust to warrant use in a similar situation again.

Lopez started Tuesday's 5-2 loss to Seattle, allowing one run on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts in 4.2 innings. He did not factor into the decision.

Typically, Lopez pitches between four and five innings -- he had done that in all six of his starts this season. He ran into trouble the second time through the order Tuesday, however, surrendering a Kyle Seager home run in the fourth and allowing two baserunners in the fifth before being removed. Until manager Brandon Hyde trusts him to go deeper into games, it will be difficult for Lopez to hold value.