MLB Player News

Nastrini is scheduled to start Sunday's game in Philadelphia.

The rookie right-hander will receive another turn through the White Sox rotation after he acquitted himself well in his MLB debut Monday, striking out five and allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks over five innings in a no-decision against the Royals. Though Nastrini was able to pound the zone effectively Monday, fantasy managers may want to tread cautiously with him, given the control issues he's displayed for much of his minor-league career. Between stops at the Triple-A and Double-A levels within the White Sox and Dodgers organizations in 2023, Nastrini posted a 10.8 percent walk rate over 114.2 innings.

Carrasco (1-1) earned the win Thursday against the Red Sox, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

Carrasco's gotten off to a solid start in his second stint with Cleveland -- the veteran right-hander hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his first four starts. He lowered his ERA to 3.44 and also has a 1.53 WHIP and 16:12 K:BB across 18.1 innings after struggling to a 6.80 ERA in 20 starts with the Mets last season. While Carrasco isn't likely to warrant fantasy consideration at this stage in his career, he's likely locked in as the Guardians' fifth starter with Shane Bieber (elbow) out for the year.

Maeda did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Rangers, allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits and two walks over 2.2 innings. He struck out two.

It was a tough day for Maeda against a potent Texas offense -- the right-hander gave up five runs, including three homers, before departing in the third inning. Maeda's ERA is up to 7.64 while allowing an AL-worst seven home runs across his first four starts (17.2 innings). He'll look to get on track in his next outing, currently slated for early next week in Tampa Bay.

Leiter did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Tigers. He allowed seven runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out three in 3.2 innings.

After a clean first inning, the Tigers tagged Leiter for four runs in the second before tacking on three more with two outs in the fourth, making for a tough debut for the second overall pick in 2021. Leiter struggled to a 5.19 ERA in the minors last year, though he'd gotten off to a promising start this season, posting a 3.77 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 14.1 innings for Triple-A Round Rock. With Michael Lorenzen (neck) making his Rangers debut this weekend, Leiter could be headed back to the minors.

Canning (0-3) took the loss Thursday against Tampa Bay, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out four.

While Canning was ultimately charged with his third loss of the year, it was a step in the right direction after he'd allowed four runs or more in each of his first three starts. It looked like it could be another short outing for Canning on Thursday after he allowed two runs in the first inning, but the right-hander would settle in and hold the Rays scoreless over his final 4.1 frames. Canning still sports an ugly 8.05 ERA with a 1.58 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB through 19 innings this season. He's currently slated to face the Orioles at home in his next start.

Pepiot (2-2) earned the win against the Angels on Thursday, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

It was a strong bounce-back effort from Pepiot after he allowed five runs in a loss to San Francisco in his last start. The right-hander blanked the Angels through five innings Thursday, ultimately allowing a lone run on a sacrifice fly in the sixth. It's been a mixed bag for Pepiot through four starts this year, though his underlying metrics are impressive. He lowered his ERA to 4.37 with an encouraging 1.01 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB across 22.2 innings this season.

Pivetta (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Pivetta will play catch from 120 feet Thursday, and if all goes well, he'll take a big step forward in his recovery from a right elbow strain by getting back on the mound this weekend. The right-hander will likely need to complete multiple bullpen sessions before he's cleared to face hitters in live batting practice. After that, Pivetta will likely require a brief minor-league rehab assignment to get stretched back out, so he could be hard pressed to make it back from the injured list in the minimum 15 days. A return in the first or second week of May could be realistic, provided Pivetta avoids any setbacks while ramping back up.

The Rangers selected Leiter's contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Leiter is set to start Thursday's game in Detroit in his MLB debut after posting a 3.77 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 25:3 K:BB across 14.1 innings with Round Rock to begin the season. The Rangers are seemingly planning for Leiter to make just one start before heading back to the minors, but he could change minds if he pitches well, particularly with Andrew Heaney's struggles.

Pivetta (elbow) continues to play catch but hasn't yet advanced to mound work, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

Pivetta was placed on the 15-day injured list and is first eligible to return Sunday, but he's not yet ready to help a Red Sox rotation that has been hit by the injury bug of late, as Garrett Whitlock (oblique) joined him on the IL this week. It's likely Pivetta will need at least one rehab start before rejoining the club.

Gipson-Long is receiving multiple medical opinions on his injured right elbow before the next step in his rehab program is decided, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

He was examined by Dr. Tim Griffith in Atlanta last week and Dr. Keith Meister in Texas on Tuesday, and Gipson-Long may get a few more doctors to check out his elbow in the days to come. While receiving multiple consultations on his pitching elbow isn't a promising sign for his long-term outlook, Gipson-Long and the Tigers haven't determined a treatment plan just yet. He initially opened the season on the 15-day injured list with a groin strain, but clearly the elbow is the bigger concern now.