MLB Player News

Battenfield is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Tigers at Progressive Field.

After a brief stint in the bullpen, Battenfield took Zach Plesac's spot in the rotation last Friday against the Twins and turned in an impressive seven-inning outing in which he struck out seven and permitted just two hits and zero walks. As expected, Battenfield will be rewarded with another turn through the rotation, and he should have some security in a starting role while both Triston McKenzie (shoulder) and Aaron Civale (oblique) are likely sidelined until late May and while Plesac works to get back on track at Triple-A Columbus.

Varland is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Padres at Target Field.

In his second start of the season with the big club last Wednesday and his first since April 14, Varland took a no-decision after surrendering four earned runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against the White Sox. Though Varland couldn't come through with a quality start, he managed to induce 15 swinging strikes among his 87 pitches, which bodes well for his outlook moving forward. Varland carries some risk as a relatively unestablished MLB arm, but with two starts likely on tap this week -- his second is expected to come Sunday at home versus the Cubs -- he could make for an appealing lineup option for managers who are chasing strikeout upside.

Faedo did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Cardinals, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and no walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out one.

Faedo did a good job not issuing any free passes and did give up only three hits; however, two of those hits were home runs to Paul Goldschmidt. He was pulled in the fifth at 72 pitches despite not facing any threats on the bases. His performance was likely enough to earn him another go in the rotation should manager AJ Hinch elect to stick with a five-man rotation for the coming week. Faedo's next start would line up for a home matchup against the Mariners.

Miller (0-2) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five over six innings in a loss to the Royals.

Miller gave up a solo home run to Salvador Perez in the opening frame and the Royals got to him again in the fourth off a couple base hits. His teammates were only able to put up one run, leaving Miller still winless after his first four starts of his major league career. The 24-year-old owns a 3.38 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB over 21.1 innings. He'll be tasked with his toughest test thus far in a projected matchup with the Rangers later in the week.

Kikuchi (5-0) earned the win Sunday, allowing no runs on four hits and two walks over 6.1 innings against the Pirates. He struck out three.

Kikuchi returned to form Sunday after allowing five runs in his last start in Boston. The 31-year-old left-hander has allowed one run or fewer in five of his seven starts this season. Kikuchi lowered his ERA to 3.35 with a 1.19 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB through 37.2 innings. Improved command has been vital to Kikuchi's early-season success. His walk rate is down to 4.7 percent from 12.8 percent last year

There's a "good chance" Glasnow (oblique) will make a third rehab start with Triple-A Durham following his second rehab start Wednesday, Rays manager Kevin Cash told Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times.

Glasnow struck out four and walked two over 2.1 scoreless frames in his first rehab outing Friday, throwing 46 pitches. "He's going to throw four innings, 60 to 65 pitches I think on Wednesday in Charlotte. Then we'll talk," Cash said. "I think in fairness and to get ahead of it, there's a good chance he's going to make another start after this upcoming one, just to kind of get him closer to normal build-up. Similar to a spring training (build-up)." Assuming Glasnow does indeed make a third rehab start, he would tentatively be lined up for his season debut with the Rays during their May 19-21 series at home versus the Brewers.

Cole did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits and two walks over five innings during an 8-7 defeat to the Rays in extras. He struck out six.

Cole had been a prototypical ace over his first seven starts, posting a 1.35 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 52:14 K:BB across 46.2 innings, but Sunday's performance was a step in the wrong direction. He was spotted a six-run lead and held Tampa Bay scoreless through four innings, but he couldn't maintain the advantage and surrendered six answered runs, including home runs by Jose Siri and Christian Bethancourt, before being pulled with no outs in the sixth. The homers were the first allowed by the right-hander this year, and his five innings were a season low. Cole's next start is projected for a rematch against the Rays, so it'll be a solid bounce-back opportunity after he submitted his worst outing of the campaign thus far.

Kopech (1-3) allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk over six innings Sunday, striking out two and earning a win over the Reds.

It wasn't the cleanest outing but Kopech cruised to victory with a whopping 17 runs of support from his offense. Unsurprisingly, he struggled with the long ball in Cincinnati, serving up four solo homers, including Jonathan India's leadoff shot in the first inning. Kopech had allowed just three home runs over his previous five starts after coughing up five in his season debut. The 27-year-old now owns a 5.97 ERA and a 36:22 K:BB across 37.2 innings. Kopech is projected for a tough home matchup against the Astros next week.

Perez did not factor in the decision in Sunday's win over the Angels. He allowed seven runs on eight hits and three walks with two strikeouts in 3.2 innings.

Both Perez and Jose Suarez struggled in a high-scoring contest that was at 11-7 through four innings. Perez had allowed a total of seven runs (six earned) over his previous four starts combined. The 32-year-old southpaw saw his ERA rise to 3.86 with a 1.55 WHIP and 28:12 K:BB across 37.1 innings through seven starts this season. Perez is tentatively scheduled for a favorable road start in Oakland during next weekend's four-game series.

Bielak (0-1) allowed three runs (two earned) on 10 hits and two walks over 4.2 innings Sunday against Seattle. He took the loss and failed to record a strikeout.

Bielak had traffic on the bases nearly the entire afternoon and never found much of a groove. He escaped danger in the first two frames before serving up a solo shot to Julio Rodriguez to lead off the third. Bielak is sporting a 4.15 ERA and a 6:5 K:BB through 8.2 innings. He's currently projected for a road matchup with the White Sox next week.