MLB Player News

Luzardo (0-1) gave up five earned runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out eight in five innings against the Astros on Friday. He took the loss.

The Astros seemed to either be striking out or getting a hit off the young southpaw in this one. He logged scoreless frames in the first, second and fifth innings but gave up a three-run homer to Alex Bregman in the third and a solo shot to Yuli Gurriel followed by a Michael Brantley RBI double in the fourth. The Astros didn't seem to have much trouble squaring up Luzardo's four-seamer in this one, according to Melissa Lockard of The Athletic. He will take the hill Wednesday at home against the Dodgers.

Heaney (0-1) gave up seven earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over three innings Friday against the White Sox. He took the loss.

Heaney was superb through the first two innings, touching 95 mph with his fastball after averaging 91.5 mph with his heater in 2020. He struck out three in the first two scoreless frames, but then the White Sox got going and tagged him for four in the third and three in the fourth, leading to Heaney getting pulled in the fourth without recording an out that inning. He should start next weekend in Dunedin against the Blue Jays.

Houck will head back to Triple-A Worcester once Eduardo Rodriguez (arm) is ready to return to the active roster, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Houck will take Rodriguez's turn through the rotation Saturday, but it could be his only start for now. Rodriguez threw three innings in a simulated game Friday and is talking about returning April 8. Manager Alex Cora has no plans to go with a six-man rotation, which would include Houck. "We're pitching him tomorrow, then obviously the circumstances will dictate what happens with him in the future. Just give him the ball [Saturday], go five or six (innings), do the things he did in the last (spring training outing) and we'll be happy with that," the manager said. In Houck's final start of spring training, he allowed two hits and one walk while striking out six over 4.1 scoreless innings against Atlanta.

Javier allowed two runs on three hits while striking out four over 3.2 innings in Friday's 9-5 win over the Athletics.

Javier cruised through the first three innings on just 39 pitches but needed 38 in the fourth to get two outs before manager Dusty Baker pulled him. In 2020, Oakland carved up the young right-hander, who earned third place in Rookie of the Year voting, plating seven runs in eight innings against Javier. He had a 2.72 ERA against all other teams. Javier missed time during spring training due to COVID-19 protocols, so his stamina early in the season may not be that of other starters that were able to make a normal spring progression.

Kopech (1-0) walked one and struck out three over two-plus scoreless innings to pick up the win over the Angels on Friday.

It looked like this would be Matt Foster's win after he finished up the fifth inning for starter Dallas Keuchel, but he allowed two inherited runners to score, albeit on a three-base error by right fielder Adam Eaton. So, the win went to Kopech, who entered in the sixth inning and made his first regular-season appearance since Sept. 5, 2018. He pitched two perfect innings before walking Mike Trout to lead off the eighth inning. The right-hander threw 33 pitches (21 strikes) and maxed out at 99.4 mph.

Keuchel allowed six runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out four over four-plus innings in Friday's 12-8 win over the Angels.

Keuchel was given plenty of support -- he had a 7-1 lead entering the bottom of the fourth inning -- but was unable to get through the five innings necessary to qualify for the win. The left-hander will look for a bounce-back performance next Wednesday, April 7, at Seattle.

Kikuchi did not factor in the decision against the Giants on Friday, pitching six innings and allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out 10.

Kikuchi threw 67 of his 89 pitches for strikes and fired first-pitch strikes to 18 of the 25 batters he faced. The southpaw's strikeout rate jumped from 16.1 percent in his debut campaign to 24.2 percent last season, so Friday's big punchout total bodes well for his continued progress in that area. Kikuchi is next scheduled to take the mound April 10 at Minnesota.

Eovaldi (0-1) took the loss Friday as the Red Sox fell 3-0 to the Orioles, giving up one run on four hits and a walk over 5.1 innings while striking out four.

The right-hander engaged in a pitchers' duel with John Means and exited the game in the sixth inning with the score still 0-0, but Eovaldi got saddled with the loss when Matt Andriese allowed his inherited runner to score. Eovaldi is coming off a strong 2020, posting career highs in strikeout and walks rates, and despite the disappointing result Friday he was able to pick up where he left off. He's lined up to face the Rays at home Wednesday for his next start.

Rodriguez (arm) threw three simulated innings at the Red Sox's alternate site in Worcester on Friday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Browne referred to the injury, which has been attributed to a dead arm, as elbow inflammation. Whichever the case, it's a good sign the left-hander is facing live hitters. The Red Sox will evaluate where Rodriguez is at Saturday before making any decisions about when he might return. The pitcher hopes to enter the rotation as soon as April 8 in Baltimore.

Means (1-0) picked up the win Friday against the Red Sox, allowing only one hit over seven scoreless inning while striking out five.

The southpaw baffled Boston all afternoon, retiring the final 18 batters he faced and not allowing a runner past first base. Means is coming off a 2020 in which he served up 12 homers in only 43.2 innings, but when he's hitting his spots he's capable of neutralizing any lineup. The 27-year-old will need to be sharp once again for his second start of the season Wednesday in Yankee Stadium.