MLB Player News

Bassitt (0-2) took the loss against Houston on Wednesday, allowing four runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out three batters over 4.1 innings.

Bassitt began his outing with two scoreless frames before giving up a run in each of the third and fourth innings. He remained in the game to begin the fifth and allowed the first two batters to reach base, and both came around to score after the right-hander departed the contest. Bassitt was a steady part of Toronto's rotation in his first year with the club last season, posting a 3.60 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 200 innings. However, his 2024 campaign has gotten off to a sour start, as he's posted a 7.71 ERA and 2.14 WHIP over 9.1 frames while dropping each of his first two outings.

Javier (1-0) earned the win over Toronto on Wednesday, allowing one hit and issuing five walks while striking out three batters over five scoreless innings.

Javier threw only 51 of his 97 pitches for strikes and issued five free passes, but he kept the Blue Jays off the scoreboard by allowing just one hit. It was the second straight scoreless outing for the right-hander, who tossed six shutout frames against the Yankees in his 2024 debut March 29. Javier isn't likely to have this level of success with such poor control often, but he's getting the job done so far this season after struggling to a career-worst 4.56 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 31 starts last year.

Lorenzen (neck) struck out three over 2.2 innings while allowing three earned runs on three hits and two walks Saturday in his rehab start with Triple-A Round Rock.

Though he's officially on the 15-day injured list with a neck strain, Lorenzen isn't believed to be dealing with any major health concerns. Instead, he was placed on the IL prior to Opening Day so he could continue the ramp-up process in the minors since he missed most of spring training after not signing with the Rangers until March 22. Lorenzen didn't look especially overpowering in his first rehab start, but more importantly, he built up to 50 pitches (34 strikes). He's expected to make another rehab start with Round Rock on Thursday and will likely push his pitch count into the 65-to-70 range, per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. If all goes well, Lorenzen could then return from the IL early next week and slot into the Texas rotation during the club's three-game series with Oakland that runs from April 9 through 11.

Rodon did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks over 5.1 innings against the Diamondbacks. He struck out three.

Rodon struggled out of the gate, allowing a leadoff double to the first batter he faced and later surrendering solo home runs in the second and fifth innings. Five of the seven hits he allowed on the afternoon went for extra bases, while the veteran lefty also failed to make it through six innings for the second straight start to open the season. On a positive note, Rodon has held his opponents to two or fewer runs in each of those outings.

Stripling (0-2) took the loss Wednesday, allowing one run on eight hits over seven innings against the Red Sox. He struck out three and did not issue any walks.

Stripling managed to hold the Red Sox to one run on the afternoon despite allowing six hits over the first four innings. Still, he would end up being tagged with his second loss as Oakland's offense was shut out for the second time in its last three games. The right-hander has now surrendered 15 hits over his first two starts (12 innings) and things won't get any easier next week when the A's travel to Arlington to take on the reigning World Series champions.

Manoah (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment Sunday with Single-A Dunedin, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Manoah pitched a three-inning simulated game Tuesday at the Jays' spring training facility without any issues, and he's slated to up his workload to four frames in his first rehab start. If Manoah's Single-A outing goes well, his assignment may move to a higher-level affiliate, but the 26-year-old is likely still several rehab appearances away from making his season debut with Toronto.

Civale (1-1) took the loss Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over six innings against the Rangers. He struck out eight.

Civale was excellent Wednesday, allowing just a solo home run to Corey Seager in the sixth inning. However, the Rays couldn't get anything going against Nathan Eovaldi on the other side, sticking Civale with his first loss. The 28-year-old right-hander's allowed just two runs in 12 innings through his first two starts, while showing more of a strikeout punch than he has in the past. Civale made 23 starts last year between Tampa Bay and Cleveland, going 7-5 with a 3.46 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 116:33 K:BB. He looks like a dependable fantasy option.

Eovaldi (1-0) earned the win Wednesday, allowing four hits and one walk over seven scoreless innings against Tampa Bay. He struck out eight.

Eovaldi was stellar Wednesday, punching out eight Rays while allowing just two runners to reach second base across seven scoreless frames. The 34-year-old Eovaldi's picked up where he left off last season, allowing two runs in 13 innings while striking out 11 through his first two starts of 2024. He's tentatively lined up for an enticing home matchup with the Athletics in his next outing.

Verlander (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Verlander will throw one more bullpen session at Minute Maid Park on Thursday before heading out on his rehab assignment. He's expected to throw around 70-to-75 pitches Sunday for Sugar Land. Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that the team is confident Verlander will need just two rehab starts, which could put him on track to rejoin the rotation as soon as April 17 against Atlanta. Verlander has been working his way back from right shoulder inflammation.

Sandoval (1-1) earned the win Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over 5.2 innings in a 10-2 victory over Miami. He struck out seven.

It was an encouraging outing from Sandoval after the left-hander was tagged for five runs (three earned) in just 1.2 innings in an Opening Day loss. Sandoval held the Marlins to just a pair of third-inning runs while the Angels' offense provided plenty of support in a comfortable win. Sandoval's ERA now sits at 6.14 through two starts after he went 7-13 with a 4.11 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 128:74 K:BB across 28 outings last season.