MLB Player News

Rucinski (hamstring) fired 5.2 scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and two walks while recording four strikeouts in Triple-A Las Vegas' win over Sugar Land on Sunday.

Rucinski worked up to 72 pitches after tossing 62 in his previous rehab start, a fairly disastrous 2.2-inning stint where he allowed seven runs (five earned). The veteran right-hander's ability to bounce back impressively Sunday in what was his third minor-league outing overall could be enough to earn him activation, with a decision on that front likely in coming days.

Bello allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings Sunday against the Brewers. He did not factor into the decision.

Bello kept the Brewers' bats in check until the fourth inning, when Brian Anderson sent a first-pitch slider over the fence in right center to get the Crew on the board. More issues came about in the fifth, and he wound up allowing two more runs on three hits before being replaced by Richard Bleier to close out the frame. It wasn't a spectacular outing by any means, but Sunday's outing was certainly a step in the right direction from his 2023 debut, when he gave up five earned runs in just 2.2 innings. The 23-year-old is in line to next take the mound in a home start against the Guardians.

Giolito (1-2) took the loss against the Rays on Sunday, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out five.

Giolito was shaky early in his start. He surrendered three runs in the second inning, including a two-run blast from Luke Raley, and then allowed a solo shot to Harold Ramirez the following frame to give the Rays a 4-0 lead. Following the Ramirez home run, Giolito went on to retire 13 of the next 14 batters he faced and put up his longest start of season thus far. The 28-year-old now sits at a 4.50 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and a 28:6 K:BB over 28 innings. His strikeout numbers have taken a dip to start the year but he's also been limiting his walks. He's projected to face the Rays again in Chicago next weekend.

Eflin (3-0) got the win Sunday over the White Sox after allowing one run on three hits and no walks over five innings. He struck out four.

Eflin returned to the mound Sunday for the first time in just over two weeks and pitched very effectively for his third win in as many tries. The White Sox got to him in the fourth with two doubles, but he otherwise felt little pressure throughout the day. Eflin has managed to top 80 pitches just once so far, as manager Kevin Cash seems to be erring on the side of caution with Eflin's pitch count early on in the season. Nonetheless, the 29-year-old has been a successful addition to the rotation thus far, and heads into his next start with a 2.81 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 16:1 K:BB over 16 innings.

Lyles (0-4) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk over six innings against the Angels. He struck out five.

Lyles has gotten off to a rough start to the 2023 season, having allowed three or more runs in four of his five starts while allowing seven home runs. Three of those long balls came in the sixth inning of Sunday's game, when Taylor Ward, Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani hit consecutive solo homers to give the Angles a 4-2 lead. However, Lyles had found a rhythm prior to the nightmare sixth inning, having retired 14 of his previous 15 batters before getting shelled. Lyles is slated for another start Friday against Minnesota, a team he held to two runs in 5.1 innings in his first start of the campaign.

Detmers did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against Kansas City. He struck out six.

Detmers has yet to earn a win this season, having picked up three no-decisions and a loss in his first four starts. He was able to limit damage Sunday, allowing just solo home runs to MJ Melendez and Vinnie Pasquantino and managing to get out of a bases-loaded situation in the bottom of the fourth. However, he was yanked after 5.2 innings at 90 pitches with a runner on first. Detmers owns a 4.15 ERA this season but has generated a 10.4 K/9.

Ober earned the win Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over 5.2 innings against the Nationals. He struck out four.

Ober was impressive, but this may only be a start spot if Kenta Maeda is ready to return from a sore ankle Wednesday. Maeda is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Monday. Ober is overqualified for Triple-A at this stage, as the Twins' impressive starting depth left the 27-year-old right-hander without a rotation spot at the start of the season. Ober has thrived in the minors with a 2.55 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB across 17.2 innings at Triple-A.

Muller (0-2) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on seven hits and four walks over five innings in against the Rangers. He struck out three.

Muller struggled once again Sunday, giving up at least seven hits for the third straight start while increasing his season ERA to 7.23. He couldn't handle the top of the Rangers' lineup, giving up a three-run home run to two-hole hitter Robbie Grossman in the second inning and letting leadoff man Marcus Semien reach safely three times. Through five starts, Muller has seen his velocity dip down to 92.8 mph from 94.3 mph last season, a concerning fact considering his inability to generate swings-and-misses consistently.

DeGrom (2-0) earned the win Sunday, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and zero walks over six innings against the Athletics. He struck out 11.

DeGrom dispelled any worries fantasy managers had about the wrist injury that forced him out of his last start after four innings, striking out 11 batters while giving up just one run over six innings Sunday. After sporting a 4.32 ERA in his first three starts, DeGrom has recovered nicely with just one earned run combined in his last two appearances. He has recorded a 14.5 K/9 on the season.

Flexen (0-4) allowed six runs on nine hits and three walks over four innings Sunday, striking out three and taking a loss against the Cardinals.

Flexen struggled right out of the gate Sunday, coughing up a pair of runs in the first inning. He allowed another run in the third before Nolan Gorman took him deep for a three-run shot in the fourth. After yielding just three runs in his first two starts, Flexen has been hammered for 18 runs over the last 12.1 frames. His next start is lined up to be in Toronto, where he'll look to lower his 8.86 ERA.