MLB Player News

Verlander (1-1) picked up the win during Saturday's 4-0 shutout of Seattle, allowing three hits with eight strikeouts in eight scoreless innings.

If there were any doubts about Verlander's potential to remain effective, they were put to rest Saturday. The 39-year-old righty was masterful in permitting just four baserunners while recording twice as many strikeouts. He required 87 pitches to get through the eight innings. The future Hall of Famer is set to take the hill next for a premier matchup against Toronto next week.

Bubic didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Tigers, giving up one run on two hits and six walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

The lefty tossed only 49 of 89 pitches for strikes and walked at least one batter in every inning he worked, but Bubic was able to avoid much damage and exited the game with the score tied 1-1. The 24-year-old has a brutal 4:8 K:BB through five innings over two starts to begin the season to go along with a 10.80 ERA, and Bubic will lose his spot in the rotation quickly if he doesn't find a semblance of control.

Houck (1-0) picked up the win Saturday, allowing two hits and three walks over 5.2 scoreless innings in a 4-0 victory over the Twins. He struck out four.

It was a much better performance than in his season debut, but Houck still had some trouble finding the plate as he issued three free passes for the second straight start, leaving him with a 7:6 K:BB through his first nine innings of 2022. The Red Sox are expecting big things from the 25-year-old, but so far he has yet to flash the dominance he displayed at times as a rookie.

Blackburn didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Blue Jays, giving up two runs on five hits over five innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.

The right-hander was in line for the win, exiting after 73 pitches (47 strikes) with a 5-2 lead, but the A's bullpen coughed up the lead before Cristian Pache socked a game-winning homer in the top of the ninth inning. Blackburn has looked good in his first two turns through the rotation, posting a 1.80 ERA and 10:1 K:BB through 10 innings, giving him plenty of momentum heading into his next outing.

Manning (shoulder) was removed from Saturday's game against the Royals as a precaution, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Manager A.J. Hinch told reporters that Manning "didn't look quite right" prior to being lifted from Saturday's start. Manning clarified by saying that he's not concerned about the injury and plans to make his next start, which tentatively lines up to come Friday at home against the Rockies. While it appears that Manning avoided the worst-case outcome, no official diagnosis has been announced.

Gray's leg injury that forced his early exit from his start Saturday against the Red Sox is a tight hamstring, and he's merely considered day-to-day for now, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Gray exited after throwing just 1.2 innings, allowing a pair of runs on a second-inning homer by Alex Verdugo. It's an encouraging sign that he's only considered day-to-day, but a trip to the injured list is seemingly still in play if he's forced to miss a start.

Ryu is getting treatment for forearm soreness following a poor start Saturday against Oakland, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports. He gave up five runs on six hits in four innings of work, striking out just one.

Ryu was knocked around in the top of the second inning, with the Athletics opening the frame with four straight hits and scoring three runs. Sean Murphy added a two-run homer in the top of the third. Ryu has now allowed 11 runs in 7.1 innings to start the season, and it now looks as though an injury may be the cause of his struggles. He could be sent for tests Sunday morning depending on how his arm feels.

Schmidt (0-2) took the loss against Baltimore on Friday, allowing an unearned run over 1.1 innings while walking three.

Schmidt took the mound in the 10th inning and succeeded in keeping Baltimore off the board, but the Yankees were unable to produce any runs in the bottom of the frame. The right-hander returned in the 11th and issued back-to-back one-out walks to load the bases before being relieved by Aroldis Chapman. Chapman got Cedric Mullins to strike out but then walked in the winning run. Schmidt has been charged with a loss in each of his two appearances this season, though he has given up only one earned run over four total innings of work.

Manning was removed from Saturday's game against the Royals in the top of the third inning due to right shoulder discomfort, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Manning deflected a bouncer up the middle to end the second inning Saturday, although it's not yet clear whether that caused his injury. Prior to his departure, he allowed a run on five hits and no walks while striking out two in two innings. The severity of his injury isn't yet known, but if he's cleared to make his next turn through the rotation, he tentatively lines up to start at home against the Rockies on Friday.

Gray left Saturday's start in the second inning against Boston due to an apparent leg injury, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Gray appeared to hurt his hamstring or groin after throwing a pitch and showed discomfort. He left after meeting with the team trainer. Josh Winder replaced him on the mound.