MLB Player News

Eflin didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 3-2 win over the White Sox, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five.

Facing Chicago for the second straight outing, Eflin served up solo homers to Andrew Vaughn in the first inning and Jake Burger in the second but otherwise was sharp, tossing 47 of 74 pitches for strikes before exiting with the score tied 2-2. Eflin has had an impressive beginning to his Rays tenure despite missing a couple turns in the rotation due to back trouble, posting a 3.00 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 21:3 K:BB through 21 innings. He'll look to run his record to 4-0 in his next start, likely to come next week in a home series against the Pirates.

Manoah didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 3-2 win over the Mariners, giving up two runs on six hits and four walks over five innings. He struck out seven.

The right-hander once again had trouble finding the strike zone consistently, walking at least four batters for the fourth time in six starts, but Manoah also set a new season high in strikeouts, as he produced 29 called or swinging strikes among his 100 pitches. The 25-year-old's wildness has led to a 4.88 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 28:20 K:BB through 31.1 innings, but he'll try to regain last year's form in his next outing, likely to come next week in Boston.

Castillo didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Blue Jays, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

For the second straight start, Castillo didn't pitch into the sixth inning, and this time he came away with a season low in strikeouts, managing only 18 called or swinging strikes in 95 pitches -- a far cry from his 28.9 percent CSW rate on the year. The right-hander also served up his first homer of 2023, a second-inning solo shot by Alejandro Kirk. Despite what was for him a relatively mediocre outing, Castillo still sports a 1.82 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 38:8 K:BB through 34.2 innings, and he'll look to regain some dominance in his next start, likely to come in Oakland next week.

Rucinski (0-1) took the loss Friday, allowing five runs on 11 hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against Cincinnati. He struck out one.

This was Rucinski's first start in MLB after pitching in Korea the past four years, and he totaled just five swinging strikes against Cincinnati. The right-hander is also coming off a hamstring injury, so it might be a while before he's fully back up to speed. The 34-year-old is tentatively slated to face the Mariners in his next start.

Crawford allowed one run on three hits and struck out three over four relief innings in Friday's 5-2 loss to Cleveland.

Crawford has been dominant coming out of the bullpen. The minor-league starter has allowed one run on five hits while walking none and striking out 10 over 12.1 innings of relief. Garrett Whitlock's elbow injury opened a spot in the rotation, but the Red Sox called up Brayan Bello to start Saturday, which means Crawford will remain in the bullpen.

Dunning (2-0) allowed two runs on three hits and struck out one over 3.1 innings to pick up Friday's win over the Yankees. He also hit a batter and threw a wild pitch.

Dunning came in for injured starter Jacob deGrom (forearm) during the middle of the fourth inning when the Rangers were up, 5-0. It was the second time this season that the multi-inning reliever picked up a win in an injury-shortened start by deGrom. Dunning is the most likely candidate to enter the rotation if deGrom's injury turns out to be more sinister than the wrist injury that forced him to leave a game against Kansas City on April 17.

Valdez (2-3) took the loss Friday, allowing three runs on eight hits over seven innings against the Phillies. He struck out three and did not walk a batter.

Valdez had another solid outing, but Houston's lack of run support turned it into an undeserved loss. The southpaw has not walked anyone in either of his last two starts, both of which lasted seven innings. The 29-year-old has generally been reliable, posting a 2.54 ERA and 1.15 WHIP to start off the year.

Bieber (2-1) earned a win over Boston on Friday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out four batters.

Bieber recorded exactly four punchouts for the fourth straight game. He's now sporting a lackluster 26:11 K:BB through 37.2 frames this season, and his 6.2 K/9 mark would be the lowest of his career. Bieber also forced just six whiffs, tying his season low. However, the 27-year-old has a solid 3.11 ERA and has given up three or fewer runs in each of his six outings. Bieber is projected to face the Twins at home next week.

Anderson did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing one run on five hits and three walks over 6.2 innings against Milwaukee. He struck out seven.

Entering Friday, Anderson had allowed five or more earned runs in three consecutive starts. He rebounded nicely against Milwaukee with his longest outing and most strikeouts of the season. The lefty lowered his ERA to 5.74, which doesn't compare well to his career-best 2.57 ERA from last season.

Chirinos will work as the primary pitcher out of the bullpen behind opener Calvin Faucher in Saturday's game against the White Sox, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Chirinos is filling a hole in the Tampa Bay rotation, but the right-hander won't get a traditional start. Faucher is instead getting the starting nod and will most likely work one or two innings before giving way to Chirinos, who should be capable of providing length for Tampa Bay after working between two and 3.2 innings in his prior three outings this season.