MLB Player News

DeGrom (elbow) will throw a third bullpen session Monday, Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News reports.

DeGrom, who threw a couple light bullpen sessions last week, will throw a third Monday and could "possibly" throw to live hitters by the end of the week. The pitcher said it felt like he had turned a corner after Friday's session.

Faedo (0-2) took the loss Saturday, giving up three runs on five hits over five innings as the Tigers were tamed 5-2 by the Nationals. He struck out four without walking a batter.

Detroit gave the right-hander a 2-0 lead after the first inning, but Faedo couldn't make it stick, and the Tigers' offense went cold the rest of the way. He tossed 53 of 72 pitches for strikes before exiting but generated only four swinging strikes, and his return to the big-league rotation continues to be a mixed bag. Through three starts and 15.2 innings, Faedo has served up five homers to help inflate his 4.60 ERA, but impressive control has led to a 12:1 K:BB and a 0.83 WHIP. He'll look for his first win in his next outing, likely to come at home next week against the White Sox.

Gray (4-1) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over five innings in an 11-5 victory over the Rockies. He struck out six.

The right-hander wasn't particularly efficient in a matchup with his former club, needing 93 pitches (63 strikes) to barely qualify for the win, but the Rangers handed Gray an 8-0 lead after two innings and the outcome was never really in doubt. The 31-year-old has won three straight starts, giving up just two runs in 20 innings over that stretch with a 19:4 K:BB, and he'll try to stay locked in when he next takes the mound, which is likely to come in Baltimore next weekend.

Sandoval (3-3) allowed three runs on five hits and four walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings, taking the loss versus the Twins on Saturday.

Sandoval has failed to complete five innings in three of his nine starts this season, and each time has been because he's issued too many free passes. This was the first time in his last three outings he'd issued multiple walks. The southpaw has a 3.47 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and 34:20 K:BB over 49.1 innings this season. Sandoval will look to rein in his control next weekend versus the Marlins.

Varland (2-0) allowed two runs on six hits and a walk with four strikeouts over five-plus innings to earn the win Saturday over the Angels.

Varland threw 60 of 92 pitches for strikes en route to his second straight win. He allowed three straight runners to reach in the sixth inning, including a Shohei Ohtani solo home run, before Jovani Moran was called on to work out of the jam. Varland has been solid through five starts this season, posting a 4.18 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 31:7 K:BB through 28 innings. He's tentatively projected for a home start versus the Blue Jays next week.

Sale (4-2) earned the win Saturday over the Padres, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out eight over seven innings.

Sale put in his fourth straight quality start, and the three hits allowed matched his season low. Two of those hits were home runs, but they were solo shots by Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis. Just nine starts into 2023, Sale has already covered more innings (50.1) than he did in the three previous years combined (48.1). He's starting to look more like his past self, as Saturday's outing lowered his season ERA to 5.01 with a 1.17 WHIP and 62:13 K:BB. He'll look to keep rolling in a projected road start versus Arizona next week.

Brito did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing four runs on four hits and four walks over four innings against the Reds. He struck out six.

Brito narrowly avoided a disastrous third inning, walking three straight batters to load the bases with two outs, but he managed to allow just one run to score in the inning. However, the Reds got their revenge, with Luke Maile tagging Brito for a two-run home run that brought Jose Barrero in to score. After finishing each of his last three appearances with three or fewer strikeouts, Brito finally found his strikeout stuff, fanning six over four innings to tie his season high in punchouts. With Luis Severino (lat) expected to make his debut Sunday, Brito may be headed toward a demotion considering his 5:3 K/BB and 5.58 ERA likely won't be enough to warrant keeping him on the big league roster.

Sears allowed two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over six innings in a no-decision against Houston on Saturday.

Sears' outing got off to a rough start when he allowed two first-inning runs, but he rebounded from there and held Houston scoreless for the following five frames. The southpaw finished with his third quality start of the campaign and didn't allow any homers for just the second time this season. Sears posted an uninspiring 6.23 ERA over five starts in April, but he's been much better in May, recording a 3.57 ERA through four starts. Though he's yet to record a win this season, Sears is beginning to pick up steam as a fantasy option in deeper leagues, with his 9.4 K/9 being particularly enticing.

Brown tossed six innings against Oakland on Saturday, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and no walks. He struck out nine and did not factor in the decision.

Brown gave up just one extra-base hit in the outing and demonstrated excellent control, throwing 62 of 97 pitches for a strike and issuing no free passes for the first time this season. The rookie also racked up 15 whiffs while setting a season high with nine punchouts. This was one of his finest outings of the campaign, but he had to settle for a no-decision since Houston's offense managed only two runs while he was in the game. Brown how holds a solid 3.20 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 56:17 K:BB over 50.2 innings on the campaign. His next start is tentatively lined up to be a rematch with the Athletics in Oakland.

Eflin (6-1) earned the win Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits over seven innings against Milwaukee. He struck out eight.

Outside of a pair of homers dished out to Owen Miller and Brian Anderson, Eflin was exceptional Saturday, fanning eight and pitching into the seventh frame for just the second time in 2023. Though the 29-year-old has had troubles with the long ball (1.5 HR/9), he has made up for it with strong strikeout numbers (9.96 K/9) while earning six wins, which is the second-most in MLB. Eflin is in line to face one of MLB's most powerful offenses in his next start, taking on the Blue Jays at Tropicana Field.