MLB Player News

Arihara gave up three runs on six hits and zero walks over five innings during Saturday's 11-4 loss to the Royals. He had one strikeout and didn't factor in the decision.

The 28-year-old started with four scoreless frames in his MLB debut, though he was pulled after surrendering three runs during the fifth inning. Arihara exited in line for the victory, but Kansas City erupted for seven runs during the sixth inning. The right-hander lines up for his second start of the season Friday against the Padres.

Houck (0-1) picked up the loss Saturday against the Orioles despite striking out eight batters in five innings. He gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk.

Houck struck out a third of the batters he faced in his three-start debut last season and beat that mark Saturday, posting a 36.3 percent strikeout rate. That wasn't enough to help his team to a win, however, as a two-out rally led to a pair of runs in the fourth inning before Anthony Santander singled in another in the fifth. It was an encouraging enough outing overall, but Houck is likely to be sent down soon, with Eduardo Rodriguez (arm) expected to be ready to take his next turn in the rotation.

Stripling (0-1) lasted just 3.1 innings Saturday against the Yankees, picking up the loss after allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks, striking out five.

Stripling's rotation spot may be a temporary one, as he could head to the bullpen once Robbie Ray (elbow) and Nate Pearson (groin) are healthy. He certainly didn't help his case to stick around during his season debut. A two-out rally led to the Yankees' first run on a DJ LeMahieu single in the second inning. He then allowed a solo shot to Gary Sanchez to open the fourth inning before being pulled after he allowed two more batters to reach base.

Garcia earned the save during Saturday's 5-2 win over Cleveland after allowing one run with one strikeout and zero walks over 1.1 innings.

It was the 25-year-old's first appearance of the season, and he needed only 14 pitches to record four outs while surrendering one single. Garcia nabbed four saves in 2020 and figures to be in the mix for saves throughout this season, with he and Gregory Soto each picking up a save in the first two games.

Kluber threw four innings Saturday against the Blue Jays, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out five.

Kluber's velocity rarely got much above 90 mph, down a few ticks from the average of 92.0 mph he managed in his last healthy season, but it was a decent enough outing in terms of results. He showed a bit of wildness in the third inning, walking two batters and throwing a wild pitch before a throwing error by catcher Gary Sanchez led to an unearned run. He later allowed Marcus Semien to homer to lead off the fifth before being pulled from the game, having thrown 74 pitches. It wasn't a return to peak form for the two-time Cy Young winner, but it was a respectable season debut for a player who's made just eight starts in the last two seasons.

Teheran (1-0) earned the victory Saturday against Cleveland after allowing one run on four hits with three strikeouts and three walks over five innings.

The 30-year-old had a back issue crop up down the stretch during spring training, but he was able to throw 90 pitches and gave up only one run via a solo homer in his Tigers debut. Teheran lines up to face Cleveland again Friday for his second outing of the season.

Sampson signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox on Saturday.

He had been in camp this spring with the Giants and will move on to a new organization. Sampson should provide organizational bullpen depth.

Schmidt (elbow) has yet to resume throwing, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Hoch says the team is waiting for Schmidt to be completely asymptomatic, which is odd language regarding an elbow strain -- that was the given diagnosis when Schmidt was placed on the 60-day injured list. Nonetheless, it sounds like he is out indefinitely.

Severino (elbow) has progressed to throwing sliders from the mound as well as fastballs, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

He continues to do well, according to manager Aaron Boone, and after being limited to fastballs during spring training, it is encouraging to hear he has progressed to throwing breaking balls. Severino doesn't have a clear timetable for his return, but the hope is that he will be back sometime this summer.

Rodriguez's (dead arm) velocity in Friday's simulated game was not where it normally is, but the Red Sox are attributing that to the cold conditions and lack of game environment, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

He felt fine physically Saturday and the Red Sox will see how he feels Sunday before making a decision about activating him from the injured list. Obviously, if his velocity was normal, he'd be trending toward getting activated as soon as he's eligible, and that still could happen if the team truly believes that the cold was to blame Friday.