MLB Player News

The Rangers have a list of concerns about Hearn's performance thus far in 2021, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. After seven outings, he has a 7.59 ERA and 2.06 WHIP over 10.2 innings.

The first issue is Hearn's velocity when facing first batters. He averages a robust 95.1 mph overall, but against first hitters, that average drops to 93.1. "There is no reason to ease your way in," Rangers manager Chris Woodward said. "You've got to have your best fastball from pitch one. That's something you've got to do in the bullpen or in the warmup. There is plenty of time to get loose. It's definitely hurt him at this point." He's also struggled when falling behind in the count, allowing opposing hitters to go 6-for-11 with nine walks when they've gotten ahead of him. And if that's not enough, the left-hander has been raked by right-handed batters, who are slashing .423/.516/.923 against him. All four home runs he's allowed have been to righties. The need for relievers to face at least three batters means they have to be competitive to opposite-side hitters. Where this leaves Hearn is unclear. He had been serving as a tandem starter but has thrown just 2.1 innings over his last three outings.

Taylor allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two over one inning in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Blue Jays.

The Red Sox had fallen behind 4-0 after two innings, but they managed to claw their way back to 4-3 in the eighth before Taylor was summoned from the bullpen. The left-hander allowed Toronto to tack on a pair of insurance runs, scuttling Boston's attempted comeback. Taylor was a pivotal reliever in 2019 before throwing just 7.1 innings in 2020, a season impacted by a bout with COVID-19. He's off to tough start in 2021, allowing eight runs on 15 hits and five walks over 6.2 innings (10.80 ERA). Taylor is one of two left-handers in Boston's bullpen -- Darwinzon Hernandez is the other -- but he has options left and could end up at Triple-A Worcester if this caliber of work continues.

King (2-0) allowed two hits over one scoreless inning to pick up the win over the Angels on Wednesday.

King entered in the seventh inning with the Rangers in a 3-1 hole and was the pitcher of record when his offense put up crooked numbers in the eighth and ninth innings. The left-hander turned in his fifth straight scoreless outing, lowering his ERA to 1.13. He's walked one and allowed 12 hits over eight innings but has managed to pitch out of danger by keeping balls on the ground (65.4 GB%)

Thornton pitched two innings against Boston on Wednesday, allowing no runs on two hits without walking or striking out a batter. He did not factor in the decision.

Thornton made his first start of the campaign Wednesday, but he was limited to 25 pitches despite yielding only two hits. The right-hander started 29 games during his rookie season in 2019 before elbow issues held him to just three appearances last season. He could work his way back into a traditional starting role at some point, but for now his role seems to be confined to that of a long reliever and short-inning opener.

Soto pitched a clean seventh inning with two strikeouts to earn the save in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Pirates.

Soto took a tough loss in his last appearance, allowing an unearned walkoff run, but he made sure to leave nothing to chance in this one as he nailed down his second save. The lefty simply overpowered the Pirates on just 11 pitches, and he now has 11 strikeouts this season in 8.1 innings pitched. Soto has the best pure stuff of any Detroit reliever, which should make him the favorite for save opportunities moving forward.

Colome (1-2) took the loss and blew his third save of the season Wednesday, giving up four runs (one earned) on one hit and two walks over 1.2 innings as the Twins fell 13-12 to the A's in 10 innings. He struck out one.

Minnesota's defense completely fell apart after Byron Buxton had given the team a two-run lead in the top of the 10th, as errors by Travis Blankenhorn at second base and Luis Arraez at third handed the win to Oakland. Even with the unearned runs cushioning the blow to his ratios, Colome sports a 5.63 ERA through eight innings, and while his 8:2 K:BB is solid, manager Rocco Baldelli may have to start looking to other options in save situations.

Solomon was optioned to the Astros' alternate training site Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

He gave up zero runs while striking out two and allowing one hit and one walk over two innings (two appearances) while up with the big club. The Astros intend to stretch Solomon out in the minors, so he probably won't be back up to the majors anytime soon.

Fulmer (1-1) allowed three runs on four hits and a walk with three strikeouts over four innings while taking the loss in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Pirates.

Fulmer was initially only expected to work three innings at most, but his pitch count was low enough to stay in. That turned out to be a mistake, as the Pirates tagged him for three runs in the fourth inning. The right-hander had a 3.94 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 15 strikeouts across 16 innings this season. Fulmer is still working up his pitch count -- he threw 60 pitches Wednesday (40 strikes). He could start on short rest versus the Royals on Sunday, but he could be piggybacked again as he was against the Pirates.

Zimmermann (1-2) took the loss Wednesday at Miami after giving up three runs on six hits with four strikeouts and two walks across 4.2 innings.

The 26-year-old started off with four scoreless frames Wednesday, but he was tagged for three runs during the fifth inning and was unable to complete the frame. It was Zimmerman's worst start of the season, and he now has a 4.57 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB over 21.2 innings. The left-hander will attempt to get back on track next time out against the Yankees early next week.

Jimenez was optioned to the Tigers' alternate training site following the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Pirates, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Jimenez has gotten off to a rough start this year and allowed five runs on no hits and seven walks while striking out two in one inning across two relief appearances. He'll now head to the team's alternate camp to sort things out. The move will make room for Spencer Turnbull, who was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday ahead of his scheduled start in the second game of the twin bill.