MLB Player News

Bubic (0-1) took the loss Tuesday against the Blue Jays after he gave up two runs on seven hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out four.

The left-hander consistently worked from ahead and threw first-pitch strikes to 16 of the 22 batters he faced, and he also generated 14 swinging strikes. Bubic was saddled with the loss as Kansas City's offense mustered just four hits, but it was still an encouraging first outing of the season. He next lines up to pitch Sunday in San Francisco.

Kikuchi (1-0) earned the win Tuesday at Kansas City after he allowed one run on three hits across five innings. He had two strikeouts and one walk.

The left-hander showed strong command in his season debut, throwing 47 of his 69 pitches for strikes. The improved control is a welcome sign after Kikuchi posted a 5.2 BB/9 last year, which helped lead to his move from the rotation to the bullpen. One outing is hardly a trend, and the 31-year-old will attempt to replicate his strong debut next time out Sunday against the Angels.

Valdez allowed three runs -- two earned -- on eight hits over seven innings in Tuesday's loss to Detroit. He walked one and struck out nine.

Valdez has pitched well in his first two starts of the season, but he hasn't been rewarded with a victory despite giving up a total of two runs in 12 innings (1.50 ERA.) The left-hander threw 66 of 103 pitches for strikes, and outside of Spencer Torkelson -- who drove in three in Tuesday's contest -- the Detroit lineup wasn't able to put much together. Valdez is scheduled to be back on the bump against the Pirates early next week.

Manning (1-0) allowed two runs on six hits across 5.2 innings to earn the win Tuesday against the Astros. He walked two and struck out four.

Pitching at Minute Maid Park against a potent Houston lineup is no small task, but Manning held his own, earning the win in his first start of the year. The righty once again dealt with injuries in 2022, though he showed some promise with a 3.43 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across 63 innings. Manning will look to keep moving in the right direction in his next scheduled start on April 11 against the Blue Jays on the road, which looks like another tough matchup.

Heaney took the loss Tuesday, allowing seven runs on seven hits and two walks over 2.2 innings against the Orioles. He struck out two.

It was the first start as a member of the Rangers for Heaney, and it did not go well. The southpaw was able to get through the first without blemish, but he gave up five in the second including a three-run homer off the bat of Ryan Mountcastle, and he gave up a two-run homer to Jorge Mateo in the third before exiting. The left-hander was around the strike zone with 44 of 69 pitches going for strikes, but he didn't fool hitters whatsoever with his arsenal. Heaney is scheduled for a chance to rebound next week when he faces the Royals.

Gibson earned the win Tuesday, allowing two runs on six hits and zero walks over seven innings against the Rangers. He struck out five.

Gibson gave up two solo homers in the game to Adolis Garcia and Nathaniel Lowe, but outside of that it was a very strong outing for the veteran right-hander. He's now 2-0 on the season, but this was a much better effort than the one he had against the Red Sox on Opening Day. Gibson is scheduled for a friendly matchup against the Athletics on Monday.

Maeda (arm) said he exited Tuesday's start against the Marlins while feeling some fatigue, but he otherwise feels fine and expects to make his next turn through the rotation, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

It's encouraging news on the veteran right-hander, who was making his first start for the Twins since he underwent Tommy John surgery in August of 2021. He took a tough-luck loss Tuesday with Sandy Alcantara dominating in a three-hit shutout, but Maeda pitched exceptionally well with nine strikeouts and just one run allowed on three hits and no walks over five innings. Assuming no further issues crop up, the 34-year-old tentatively lines up to next take the mound Monday against the White Sox.

Maeda was removed from Tuesday's start against the Marlins with an apparent arm injury, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The veteran right-hander started off with five scoreless frames in his first outing since undergoing Tommy John surgery in August of 2021, but he gave up a leadoff single in the sixth and appeared to tweak his arm before exiting with the athletic trainer. The Twins haven't officially announced an injury for Maeda, but any potential arm issue is an obvious concern, especially in his first start back. He finished with a final line of one run allowed on three hits with nine strikeouts and no walks in five-plus innings and was on the hook for the loss at the time of his exit.

The Orioles plan to call up Rodriguez from Triple-A Norfolk to start Wednesday against the Rangers, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez is on track to enter the rotation as a replacement for Kyle Bradish (foot), who appears to be headed for the injured list after exiting Monday's start early. The top pitching prospect in the Baltimore system, Rodriguez was denied a spot on the Opening Day roster after a disappointing spring training, but his pedigree and ability to miss bats gives him a chance for early fantasy relevance.

Blackburn (finger) will make a rehab start Friday for Low-A Stockton, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Blackburn said that his finger is "totally healed" so it's now about the right-hander building up his endurance to rejoin the Oakland rotation. He also noted that he'll join Triple-A Las Vegas after the rehab start -- assuming everything goes well -- and build up to five innings. There's a very good chance Blackburn is starting games for the A's before the end of April.