MLB Player News

Crawford tossed six innings against Seattle on Saturday, allowing one unearned run on three hits and one walk while striking out seven batters in a no-decision.

Crawford pitched well in spring training and carried that over into his first start of the campaign, holding the Mariners to a first-inning unearned run. At one point, the right-hander retired 14 straight batters, including five by strikeout. Crawford is locked into the middle of Boston's rotation and could be in for a breakout campaign after posting a 4.04 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 135:36 K:BB over 129.1 innings last season.

Gilbert tossed seven innings in a no-decision against Boston on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out eight batters.

Gilbert threw a first-pitch strike to 18 of the 26 batters he faced and gave up just one extra-base hit -- a fifth-inning Ceddanne Rafaela leadoff double that led to the lone run Boston managed against the hurler. Gilbert also induced a healthy 16 swinging strikes en route to fanning eight Red Sox batters. Though Seattle's offense was unable to produce enough to get Gilbert a win, this was an excellent first start for the right-hander, who is looking to build off last year's 3.73 ERA and career-best 1.08 WHIP.

Miller worked the ninth inning of Saturday's 12-3 loss to the Guardians, allowing two earned runs on three hits and a walk over one inning. He struck out one.

The Athletics' closer didn't come close to sniffing a save situation in the first two games, so manager Mark Kotsay opted to give him some work in the blowout defeat. Making his first appearance since an exhibition against the Giants on Monday, Miller got only 19 of his 30 pitches into the strike zone, but his status as the top ninth-inning option remains unchanged for the time being.

Brown took a no-decision Saturday, permitting one unearned run over four innings against the Yankees.

The only damage the Yankees managed against Brown came when they scored on a Jose Abreu fielding error. They made him work, though, as Brown wasn't able to go beyond four innings because he threw 88 pitches. The right-hander fanned five batters on the day, picking up eight whiffs. Brown had issues in the second half last season, particularly with the home run ball as he served up a whopping 17 in 61.2 frames after the break. Keeping the ball in the park as he did Saturday could certainly lead to more consistency in 2024.

Stroman (1-0) picked up the win in Saturday's 5-3 win over Houston, allowing three unearned runs on four hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out four.

The Astros plated two runs in the second inning following an Oswaldo Cabrera error and added another in the fifth on errors from Anthony Volpe and Stroman. The right-hander was sharp, though, picking up 13 swinging strikes on his 101 pitches as he won his first start in pinstripes. Stroman is lined up to face the Blue Jays at home in his next outing.

Kikuchi (0-1) took the loss to the Rays on Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings.

One of the three runs charged to Kikuchi crossed the plate after he exited the game, but it was a middling performance, which doesn't inspire much confidence with a trip to New York to face the Yankees coming up this week. Kikuchi gave up a homer to Randy Arozarena and then a single to Isaac Paredes to get the hook with just one out in the fifth inning. The left-hander took a big step forward last season with a career-best 3.86 ERA and there should be plenty of better days ahead in 2024, but there will also likely be more days like Saturday where he just doesn't have his good stuff.

Littell (1-0) earned the win over the Blue Jays on Saturday, allowing four hits and two walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out six.

It wasn't the most dominant outing in terms of swings and misses (11), but Littell got the whiffs when he needed them with two strikes. A waiver claim by the Rays last May after the Red Sox designated him for assignment, Littell has somehow turned himself into a viable No. 3 starter for Tampa Bay, though fantasy managers will face a tough decision this upcoming week with a trip to notoriously hitter-friendly Coors Field on tap.

Verlander (shoulder) will throw a live batting practice session Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The plan for Monday's batting practice is for Verlander to throw three innings and around 50 pitches. If that goes well, the veteran right-hander would begin his rehab assignment as he works his way back to the Astros' rotation.

Gipson-Long (groin) will throw in a simulated game Tuesday in Lakeland, Fla., Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Gipson-Long has been battling a left groin strain he sustained in the first week of spring training. He was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, and he will participate in his first simulated game Tuesday. Gipson-Long made four starts for the Tigers towards the end of the 2023 season, finishing 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 26:8 K:BB over 20 innings.

Urquidy (forearm) played catch Friday, marking the first time he's done so since his injury, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Urquidy was removed from a minor-league game March 15 due to a right forearm strain, and he was placed on the team's 15-day injured list March 28. The plan is for Urquidy to play catch again Sunday while the team monitors him.