MLB Player News

Lugo (5-1) picked up the win Wednesday in a 6-1 victory over the Blue Jays, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out eight.

The 34-year-old right-hander generated an impressive 35 called or swinging strikes over 101 pitches as he baffled Toronto hitters. The quality start was Lugo's sixth in seven trips to the mound, and the two-year, $30 million contract he signed in December is looking like an absolute bargain for the Royals. Lugo will take a 1.60 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 31:11 K:BB through 45 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Brewers.

Verlander pitched seven innings in a no-decision against the Guardians on Wednesday, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out two.

Verlander allowed the leadoff man to reach in four of his seven innings of work but managed to limit the damage to only two runs, both of which came across in the top of the fifth. The veteran right-hander struggled to get ahead in the count for much of the contest and has now issued at least three walks in back-to-back starts, though he's still held opposing teams to two or fewer runs in all three outings to open the campaign. Wednesday also marked Verlander's first start this season in which he's gone at least seven innings.

McKenzie did not factor into the decision in a win over the Astros on Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over seven innings while striking out six.

McKenzie was highly effective Wednesday despite getting down in the count early and often, striking out at least six batters for the third consecutive start, with five of those strikeouts coming on his curveball. The right-hander issued only one free pass in the contest, which marked a season best, while also going seven innings for the first time in the early campaign. McKenzie has not allowed more than two runs in any of his last three starts after surrendering a season-high five runs against the Yankees back on April 13.

Heaney (0-4) took the loss against the Nationals on Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits while striking out four over seven innings.

Heaney looked sharp over his seven innings of work, with the exception of the second inning when he allowed back-to-back hits with one out, which led to Washington's lone run coming home. The lefty would allow only two singles from that point on before being tagged with his fourth loss of the season. It's been a tough go for Heaney to begin the campaign as the Rangers have now lost all six games that he's started, despite him allowing three or fewer runs in four of those outings. On a positive note, he's posted an 11:0 K:BB over his last two starts, going six or more innings in each of those games.

Bradley (pectoral) will throw his second rehab outing with Triple-A Durham on Saturday or Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Bradley was sharp in his first rehab appearance and ramped up to 65 pitches while completing five scoreless innings of work. If he can increase his workload during his weekend start, it's possible that he could be activated from the injured list by mid-May.

Crawford (2-1) earned the win over San Francisco on Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out six batters over seven innings.

Crawford took his first loss of the campaign his previous time out when he allowed season highs of four runs (three earned) and 10 hits against the Cubs. The right-hander got back on track with a strong outing Wednesday, notching his third quality start and second victory of the season. Crawford has been outstanding for the Red Sox early in the campaign, ranking fifth among qualified starters with a 1.56 ERA through 40.1 innings. He's added a 40:13 K:BB and 1.07 WHIP to emerge as one of the league's most pleasant surprises thus far.

Burnes (3-1) took the loss Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk across six innings against the Yankees. He struck out six

All the damage against Burnes came in the fifth inning when Oswaldo Cabrera launched a two-run home run. Despite allowing three or fewer runs for a seventh straight start, Burnes was stuck with the loss Wednesday as the Orioles offense could only manage three total hits and didn't score. While Burnes has allowed a home run in six of his seven starts this season, he owns a 2.61 ERA over 41.1 innings with 41 strikeouts -- the sixth most in the American League. Burnes is lined up for a start against the Nationals on Tuesday.

Gil (2-1) picked up the win Thursday, allowing two hits and one walk with five strikeouts over 6.1 scoreless innings against Baltimore.

Gil rebounded from his first bad start of the season, completing six innings for the first time all season while blanking the O's. Gil has allowed three or fewer hits in all but one start this season, but has allowed 20 walks in 31 innings, leading to an overall ERA of 3.19. The 26-year-old has been a pleasant surprise in the back end of the Yankees rotation and could find himself among the elite fantasy pitchers if he can reign in his walk problem. Gil's set to toe the rubber next against the Astros on Tuesday.

Sandoval (1-5) took the loss Wednesday against Philadelphia, allowing two runs on four hits with two walks over five innings. He struck out 10.

Despite tying for the second most strikeouts of his career and tying his season-best hits allowed total, Sandoval was stuck with his third consecutive loss as the Angels could only muster one run via a solo homer by Ehire Adrianza. He's now in a four-way tie for the most losses in baseball and has yet to complete six innings in a start this year. The southpaw is tentatively scheduled for a start against the Pirates in Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

Flexen did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Twins, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

While the White Sox failed to hang on to a one-run lead after Flexen departed, it was another strong start from the right-hander -- he's now allowed just two runs on six hits in his last two outings (10 innings). Overall, Flexen is 1-3 with a 4.85 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 17:12 K:BB across 29.2 innings in a swing role with Chicago. With Jonathan Cannon back in Triple-A, it seems likely that Flexen will remain in the rotation for now. He's currently slated to face the Rays on the road next week.