MLB Player News

Ragans gave up three runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings in Tuesday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Astros. He did not factor into the decision.

Ragans didn't have his best stuff Tuesday, and it was evident early when he allowed three batters to reach base in each of the first two innings. The left-hander had given up only six hits over two starts coming into the matchup with Houston, a figure the Astros came close to doubling. Although Ragans couldn't find his groove Tuesday, his ability to limit the damage was impressive. He'll look to get back on track in his next projected start, which lines up for Sunday on the road against the Mets.

Bassitt (1-2) picked up the win in Tuesday's 5-3 victory over the Mariners, allowing one run on five hits and four walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out eight.

The veteran right-hander wasn't exactly sharp and threw 115 pitches (72 strikes), but Bassitt has a shutout going until he served up a solo shot to Dominic Canzone in the seventh inning. After issuing a career-high 59 walks in 2023 over 200 innings, Bassitt's had genuine control issues to begin the current campaign. Through his first 16 innings, he has a 17:9 K:BB to go along with a 5.06 ERA. He'll look to rein in the free passes in his next start, which lines up for this weekend against the Rockies.

Kirby (1-2) took the loss Tuesday in Toronto, coughing up five runs on eight hits over four innings as the Mariners fell 5-3. He struck out three without walking a batter.

Three of the hits off the right-hander went for extra bases, including a two-run shot by Bo Bichette in the third inning -- the first homer of the year for the Blue Jays shortstop, and the first Kirby has served up. He pounded the strike zone per usual, tossing 64 of 87 pitches for strikes, but he wasn't fooling anyone and generated only four swinging strikes. Kirby will carry a 6.91 ERA and 13:2 K:BB through 14.1 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home against the Reds early next week.

Varland (0-2) picked up the loss after he tossed five innings, surrendering six runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out six in Tuesday's 6-3 defeat to the Dodgers.

After three scoreless frames to open the game, Varland was done in by the long ball Tuesday, giving up a three-run homer to James Outman in the top of the fourth inning before Will Smith launched another three-run shot the following frame. The right-hander now owns an inflated 9.00 ERA and 2.00 WHIP with 10 strikeouts over nine innings in his first two starts of the 2024 campaign. Varland is tentatively set to return to the mound Sunday for a road matchup with the Tigers.

Rodon (1-0) picked up the win Tuesday, allowing two unearned runs on four hits and two walks over six-plus innings in a 3-2 victory over the Marlins. He struck out six.

The southpaw carried a shutout into the seventh inning, but after a leadoff walk to Josh Bell, Anthony Rizzo botched a potential double-play ball and both runners scored after Rodon had left the mound. He tossed 58 of 89 pitches for strikes in his first quality start of the season while lowering his ERA to 1.72, and Rodon will carry a 13:7 K:BB through 15.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road in Toronto early next week.

Soroka didn't factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out four.

Soroka was staked to a 5-0 lead before taking the mound in the first, but he couldn't make it stand -- the right-hander gave up a two-run homer to Josh Naylor in the bottom half of the frame before the Guardians tacked on two more runs between the third and fourth innings, forcing Soroka out of the game before he could qualify for a decision. It's been a rocky start to the year for Soroka -- he's 0-1 with a 6.14 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 6:6 K:BB across his first three starts (14.2 innings). He's currently in line to face the Reds at home Sunday in his next outing.

Allen didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 7-5 loss to the White Sox. He allowed five runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out four.

Allen got off to a brutal start, allowing seven of the first eight batters to reach safely in the first inning and ultimately allowing five runs. However, the left-hander would settle down to blank the White Sox over his final three frames, allowing just two more hits, while the Guardians rallied to tie the game and get Allen off the hook. Still, it's a tough outing for Allen, who'd won his first two starts this season. His ERA is now up to 4.60 with a 1.34 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB through 15.2 innings on the young campaign. Allen will look to get back on track in his next start, tentatively lined up as a tough home matchup Sunday versus the Yankees.

Mize allowed two runs on five hits and a walk over five innings during Tuesday's 5-3 win at Pittsburgh. He struck out two and did not factor in the decision.

The right-hander didn't have his best stuff, as he generated just seven swinging strikes on 83 pitches, but he limited the damage to a pair of runs. Mize looked less rusty than in his season debut, which is encouraging after he missed the entirety of 2023 while recovering from Tommy John and back surgeries. He tentatively lines up to face the defending champion Rangers in Detroit early next week.

Scherzer (back) completed a bullpen session Tuesday and expected to throw live batting practice next week, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

The veteran right-hander continues to build up his workload as he makes his way back from December surgery to address a herniated disc, and he's closing in on the final stages of his rehab program. Scherzer could progress to a minor-league rehab assignment soon after facing live hitters, keeping a potential return in May on the table.

The Rays placed Alexander on the bereavement list Tuesday.

Alexander has struggled in each of his first two appearances of the season, registering an 8.68 ERA, 1.93 WHIP and 8:4 K:BB over 9.1 innings. He's scheduled to start Friday against the Giants, but he will step away from the team for a few days to be with his family. In a corresponding move, the Rays recalled Kevin Kelly from Triple-A Durham.