MLB Player News

Williams allowed two earned runs over an inning of relief in Friday's 6-1 loss to the Pirates.

Williams allowed just one earned run all season en route to being named NL Rookie of the Year in 2020, but he has now given up at least one earned run in three of his four appearances in 2021. A late start to the spring could be the primary cause of his issues. According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, in an effort to build Williams up, manager Craig Counsell is going to use him on a more regular basis for the time being, as opposed to only in setup situations in front of closer Josh Hader.

Hoffman (2-1) picked up the win in Friday's 10-3 rout over Cleveland, allowing one run on seven hits and three walks over six innings while striking out four.

The right-hander found out earlier this week he would remain in the rotation after the return of Sonny Gray, and Hoffman celebrated with his first quality start of the season, tossing 58 of 91 pitches for strikes. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing Thursday, at home against the Diamondbacks.

Weathers did not factor in the decision against the Dodgers on Friday, hurling 3.2 scoreless innings and allowing one hit and two walks while striking out three.

In his first major-league start, Weathers mostly stifled a potent Dodgers offense, though an elevated pitch count -- he threw 79 pitches, 46 of which were strikes -- prevented the rookie from getting past the fourth frame. It remains to be seen whether Weathers will get another chance in the rotation with Dinelson Lamet (elbow) close to returning to the rotation, but Weathers' effectiveness so far this season should at least allow him to remain in the bullpen. Across 9.2 innings, the southpaw has allowed only one run while striking out 10.

Young (0-3) was credited with the loss Friday against the Nationals after allowing one run on one hit while striking out one across 1.1 innings.

Young retired the side in order during the eighth inning and stayed for the ninth, but he couldn't get the job done and was punished by Kyle Schwarber, who blasted a mammoth walkoff homer deep to right field. The 27-year-old left-hander has endured a rough start to the season, allowing runs in four of his six appearances thus far.

Hand (1-0) earned the win Friday against Arizona after pitching a scoreless inning, allowing one hit and striking out one.

Hand had to keep the game scoreless in the top of the ninth and that's exactly what he did, as he tossed 11 of his 17 pitches for strikes en route to posting his fourth straight scoreless outing of the campaign. The 31-year-old left-hander has gone 1-for-1 in save opportunities but has also been reliable every time Washington has needed him.

Garcia notched his third save of the season Friday against Miami after pitching a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit and fanning one.

Garcia allowed a two-out single to Alex Dickerson, but he retired Buster Posey on a groundout to close things out. The 30-year-old right-hander has now gone 3-for-3 in save opportunities this season, and while manager Don Mattingly hasn't named him the team's official closer just yet, he seems to be locking down the role based on his recent performances.

Bass (1-2) was credited with the win Friday against the Giants after tossing a scoreless inning, striking out one.

Bass was called upon to pitch the eighth inning and only needed eight pitches to get the job done -- he tossed seven of those deliveries for strikes, as he was in complete command of the zone. The right-hander lost the closer job a few days ago following a woeful start to the season, but he seems to be turning things around and has now pitched four straight scoreless outings since being removed from the closer role.

Castano gave up one run on three hits and two walks across five innings Friday against the Giants. He didn't factor into the decision.

Castano limited the damage to just one run in his season debut, and while he didn't strike out anyone, he's never been a pitcher with high strikeout numbers, as evidenced by his 3.6 K/9 last season. The southpaw is unlikely to serve as a regular starter for the Marlins, but he delivered when called upon and notched decent numbers in 2020, posting a 3.03 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP across 29.2 innings during seven appearances (six starts).

Smith allowed no hits and three walks while striking out three in the ninth inning to earn the save against the Cubs on Friday.

Smith has now put together three consecutive scoreless outings, and he earned his third save of the year in Friday's series opener. The southpaw has also been charged with two losses in his first eight appearances and has posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 12 strikeouts in seven innings this year.

Lamet (elbow) threw 70-75 pitches in a sim game Thursday and will toss a bullpen session this weekend, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Lamet has been increasingly ramping up and now appears close to making his season debut for the Padres. If his bullpen session goes well, he could return to pitch in San Diego's upcoming series against Milwaukee. The most logical target date would have Lamet starting Wednesday in the spot previously occupied by the injured Adrian Morejon (elbow).