MLB Player News

Lopez (1-2) was hit with the loss in Friday's game versus the Tigers after giving up five earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out seven batters across four innings.

Lopez got behind early after giving up a solo shot to Mark Canha in the first inning, but most of the damage done against the right-hander came in the fifth when he allowed four consecutive hitters to reach base to begin the inning. He left with the Twins down 4-0 and two runners on base before recording an out in the frame, and reliever Kody Funderburk allowed an additional run to score before closing out the inning. Lopez now holds a 4.86 ERA and 1.20 WHIP through his first three starts and will look to improve upon those numbers his next time out, which projects to come in Baltimore on Wednesday.

Skubal (2-0) earned the win Friday against Minnesota, striking out five batters over five scoreless frames while giving up two hits and two walks.

After throwing two perfect innings to begin the game, Skubal ran into a bit of trouble by allowing two runners to reach base during the third and fourth innings, but both times the left-hander was able to secure the final out and prevent any runs from coming across the plate. He now owns an impressive 2.08 ERA and 0.75 WHIP through 17.1 frames across his first three outings with a 20:4 K:BB. Skubal is tentatively scheduled to make his next start Wednesday against the Rangers, who currently own an AL-best .769 team OPS.

Miller (2-1) earned the win Friday, allowing one unearned run on three hits and three walks over 6.1 innings against the Cubs. He struck out four.

Miller continued his stellar start to the season. The unearned run he allowed only scored after he exited the game after 100 pitches. Miller has a 1.96 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB over his first 18.1 innings. He is scheduled to make his next start against the Reds at home.

Blackburn did not factor into the decision Friday against the Nationals, pitching 6.1 scoreless innings while allowing five hits and two walks. He struck out four.

Blackburn has now has thrown 19.1 consecutive innings without allowing a run over his first three starts. The 30-year-old right-hander's 0.00 ERA has come along with a 0.72 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB. Blackburn's next start is scheduled to come against the Cardinals at home.

France (0-2) allowed eight runs on eight hits and four walks over four innings Friday, striking out three and taking a loss against Texas.

France gave up one run through two innings before he was lit up for six runs in the third. Most of the damage that frame came via Jonah Heim's three-run blast. In each of his first two starts of 2024, France had yielded exactly three runs over 5.2 innings. Now, he owns a brutal 8.22 ERA with a 12:7 K:BB across 15.1 innings. France is currently in line for a tough home matchup with Atlanta next week.

Dunning (2-1) yielded three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings Friday, striking out three and earning a win over Houston.

Dunning served up a homer to Kyle Tucker in the first inning and Houston scratched two more runs across in the fourth. Dunning wasn't very efficient Friday, throwing just 46 of 80 pitches for strikes with only five whiffs. It was his lowest pitch total of the year but Texas was up 12-3 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. The 29-year-old righty has allowed exactly three runs in each of his first three starts this season. Dunning is lined up to take the mound in Detroit next week.

Flexen (0-3) yielded six runs on seven hits and a walk over 2.2 innings Friday, striking out two and taking a loss against the Reds.

Flexen gave up just one run through the first two frames before the Reds tagged him with five in the third inning. His day was ended after serving up back-to-back home runs to Elly De La Cruz and Tyler Stephenson. Flexen's ERA jumped to 8.78 with a lackluster 7:6 K:BB through three starts. He's projected to face the Royals at home next week.

Francis will be available out of the bullpen Saturday against the Rockies, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Francis was originally listed as Toronto's starter for Saturday's contest, but the Jays will instead promote Yariel Rodriguez from Triple-A Buffalo to make his MLB debut. It's unclear whether or not Francis' move to the bullpen will be permanent, but after surrendering 12 earned runs through 8.1 innings across his first two starts, he may return to a multi-inning relief role if Rodriguez proves to be an effective big-league starter.

Gausman (0-2) took the loss Friday against the Rockies, allowing six runs on 10 hits over 3.2 innings. He struck out four.

While it was encouraging to see Gausman's average fastball velocity back up to 93.9 mph, his results didn't improve -- the right-hander's now allowed 11 earned runs over just five innings between his last two starts. After a shoulder injury limited him in spring training, Gausman's struggled to an 11.57 ERA with a 1.93 WHIP through his first three starts (9.1 innings) this season. He'll look to get on track in his next outing, though he's currently lined up for a tough home matchup against the Yankees.

Rodriguez will be recalled from Triple-A Buffalo to start Saturday's game against the Rockies, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez will be making his MLB debut Saturday, replacing the struggling Bowden Francis as Toronto's starting pitcher. Rodriguez has thrown 6.1 scoreless innings and struck out 10 batters through two starts with Buffalo. If the 27-year-old righty finds success in his first big-league start, he could end up taking Francis' spot in the Jays' rotation.