MLB Player News

Syndergaard didn't factor into the decision during Saturday's 5-4 loss to Baltimore, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks with six strikeouts in 5.2 innings.

Syndergaard settled down after permitting two runs and three stolen bases in the first inning to keep Baltimore's offense quiet and departed in the fifth with the game knotted at 2-2. The most encouraging development for the 29-year-old is the six strikeouts -- one more than his total from his first two starts combined. He'll look to build on that momentum in his next start, currently set for Friday against the White Sox.

Urquidy allowed two earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out three across 5.2 innings Saturday against the Blue Jays. He did not factor into the decision.

Urquidy appeared to be in for a long outing after he surrendered a home run to the first batter he faced. After laboring through the rest of the first inning, he faced the minimum number of batters through his next four frames. As is typical, Urquidy didn't miss a ton of bats, instead relying on inducing poor quality of contact. That approach has largely served serve him well early on this season, as he's turned in a pair of outings that have lasted at least five innings with two or fewer earned runs allowed.

Watkins registered a no-decision in a 5-4 win over the Angels on Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks with three strikeouts in five innings.

Watkins was able to navigate a tough Angels lineup aside from Mike Trout, who connected on solo home runs in the first and fifth innings to tie the game after Baltimore jumped out to an early 2-0 lead. After logging 16 games last season, the 29-year-old has pitched well in three starts with 2.77 ERA in 13 innings though his FIP is higher at 4.04 due to a 1.25 WHIP compared to just five strikeouts. Watkins is tentatively set to face Minnesota on Wednesday for his next start.

Manoah (3-0) allowed two earned runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out five across six innings to earn the win Saturday against Houston.

Manoah surrendered a two-run homer to Alex Bregman in the first inning, but that was the only extra-base hit he surrendered. Particularly encouraging was that Manoah did not allow a walk, as he entered the game having surrendered six free passes across his first 12 innings this season. Across 18 innings to begin the campaign, Manoah has maintained a 2.00 ERA with 18 strikeouts.

Tampa Bay placed Springs on the COVID-19-related injured list Sunday after he was deemed a close contact of an infected person, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Meanwhile, the Rays activated infielder Yandy Diaz from the COVID-19 injured list in a corresponding move now that his symptoms of the virus have dissipated. According to MLB rules, unvaccinated players deemed to be close contacts are required to complete five-day quarantines, while no quarantine applies for vaccinated players who are deemed close contacts but are testing negative. Springs has been stellar through seven appearances out of the Tampa Bay bullpen, striking out nine and allowing five baserunners over seven scoreless frames.

Javier will start Wednesday's game against the Rangers, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The 25-year-old has worked in long relief to begin the season, but he'll receive a starting opportunity after delivering 8.1 innings across his three appearances. Javier threw 55 pitches in his previous appearance, so he may be limited to about 70-to-80 pitches his first time through the rotation. Jake Odorizzi, who has struggled so far in 2022, is also scheduled to start versus Texas, so it appears manager Dusty Baker will employ a six-man rotation.

Bundy (3-0) picked up the win in Saturday's 9-2 rout of the White Sox, allowing four hits over five scoreless innings. He struck out four without walking a batter.

The Twins handed Bundy a 7-0 lead by the fourth inning, but the veteran right-hander didn't need that much support as he cruised through 79 pitches (59 strikes). He has put his rough 2021 behind him with a 0.59 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 12:1 K:BB through three starts and 15.1 innings to begin his tenure in Minnesota.

Velasquez (0-2) took the loss Saturday, giving up five runs on eight hits and a walk over 3.1 innings as the White Sox were downed 9-2 by the Twins. He struck out six.

Half of the hits off Velasquez went for extra bases, including homers in the fourth inning by Ryan Jeffers and Byron Buxton that chased the right-hander from the game. While Velasquez does have a decent 22.0 percent strikeout rate through three starts, his 6.75 ERA is well-earned thanks to an 11.9 percent walk rate and 2.25 HR/9. Lucas Giolito (abdomen) is due back Sunday, but Velasquez's stint in the rotation may not be over quite yet with Lance Lynn (knee) still out for another month or more.

Whitlock tossed four scoreless innings against Tampa Bay on Saturday, allowing one hit and no walks while striking out seven.

Whitlock was making a spot start after coming out of the bullpen for each of his first four appearances, so he was removed after the fourth inning despite a dominant performance during which he retired the first nine batters he faced and allowed just one hit overall. The right-hander registered 11 swings and misses among his 48 pitches and struck out a season-high seven batters. Whitlock is likely to move back into the bullpen following this start, but his 0.66 ERA, 0.51 WHIP and 18:2 K:BB this season suggests he is capable of thriving in any role.

Cortes allowed two earned runs on one hit and two walks while striking out eight across 6.1 innings Saturday against the Guardians. He did not factor into the decision.

Cortes didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning, although it was a two -run blast to Josh Naylor. He was very sharp otherwise, as he allowed no other extra-base hits and backed his eight strikeouts with 20 called strikes and 10 swinging strikes. Cortes has gotten off to a strong start early in the campaign by maintaining a 1.15 ERA and 0.64 WHIP. Equally impressive is his 25:3 K:BB, highlighted by a combined 20 punchouts across his last 11.1 innings of work.