MLB Player News

Ray (elbow) has been throwing at 100 percent and will throw off a mound Friday, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports.

Ray suffered an elbow injury late in camp, though the issue was among the least concerning elbow problems for a pitcher, as it was nothing worse than a bruise and came while falling down some stairs rather than while pitching. The injury was bad enough to send him to the injured list to start the year, but it doesn't look as though he'll need to miss much time.

Gonzales gave up five earned runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out two in six innings Thursday against the Giants. He did not factor in the decision.

The three walks compared to two strikeouts are particularly worrisome for Gonzales, who relies on locating and sequencing his pitches to make up for a lack of lights-out stuff. He lines up to start in Minnesota on Thursday, which should put the confidence of his fantasy managers to the test.

Bassitt allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three over 5.1 innings in a loss to the Astros on Thursday.

Bassitt struggled Thursday due to problems with his command while leaving two runners on base upon being pulled. The righty had a career year in 2020, recording a 2.29 ERA and 3.95 FIP. The 32-year-old only threw 68 pitches and we can expect his pitch-count to rise as the season progresses.

Greinke (1-0) allowed just three hits while striking out four without a walk over six scoreless innings in Thursday's victory over the Athletics.

Although he didn't rack up strikeouts the veteran righty was still dominant in his debut, throwing 56 of his 82 pitches for strikes. Although his 4.03 ERA last season doesn't look great, Greinke still put up a 2.80 FIP, so there's no reason for fantasy managers to expect anything other than his usual ace-level performance this season.

Bundy allowed three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings in a victory over the White Sox on Thursday.

Bundy posted a quality start in his season debut and looked sharp with the exception of allowing a fifth-inning homer to Adam Eaton. The other earned run was a result of poor fielding while Luis Robert was menacing the Angels on the basepaths. The 28-year-old had what many considered to be a breakout season in 2020, recording a 3.29 ERA and 2.95 FIP.

Giolito allowed two runs on two hits while striking out eight over 5.1 innings in Thursday's loss to the Angels.

The righty was dominant in his debut, with his lone mistakes being a Max Stassi solo home run in the fifth inning and a Justin Upton RBI single following consecutive walks. The 26-year-old picked up where he left off last season, throwing 59 of his 87 pitches for strikes, resulting in eight punchouts. Giolito is scheduled to pitch Tuesday against the Mariners.

Gibson did not factor into the decision in Thursday's Opening Day loss to the Royals after surrendering five runs on four hits and three walks while recording a strikeout for his only out of the start.

Gibson just couldn't get things going. The veteran right-hander gave up back-to-back singles and three consecutive walks before finally sending Hunter Dozier down on strikes for his first and only out. Gibson was making his first Opening Day start against Kansas City, which happens to be the team he made his MLB debut against in 2013. The 33-year-old was hoping to turn it around after posting a rough 5.35 ERA last season, but this start highlights just how low his fantasy floor is. With the Blue Jays up next for him on Wednesday, things aren't set to get much easier.

Keller took a no-decision during Thursday's Opening Day win over the Rangers after allowing six runs on nine hits and two walks without recording any strikeouts across 1.1 innings.

Making the second Opening Day start of his career, Keller quickly worked his way into trouble in the first inning, facing a total of 10 batters, with a bases-clearing double by Nate Lowe giving the Rangers a 5-0 lead with no outs. It didn't get much better in the second inning, when the Royals turned to the bullpen after Keller gave up another run and struggled to record just one out. During Cactus League play this spring, the right-hander allowed eight runs (six earned) on 15 hits and seven walks while striking out six over 9.1 innings. Keller will look to bounce back Wednesday at Cleveland, though it might be best to steer clear until he can iron things out.

Maeda gave up two runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks while fanning five across 4.1 innings Thursday against the Brewers. He didn't factor into the decision.

Maeda allowed lots of hard contact and didn't have his best stuff at times, but he still found a way to limit the damage. The Japanese veteran is looking to build on a strong 2020 campaign in which he posted a 2.70 ERA and 0.75 WHIP across 11 starts; it's hard to expect him to match that ridiculous WHIP this year, but Maeda should still deliver strong ratios and plenty of strikeouts for the Twins.

Wacha finished Grapefruit League play with a 0.60 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, .176 BAA and 12:2 K:BB in 15 innings across five appearances.

The veteran right-hander tuned up for his scheduled regular-season debut Monday against the Red Sox with three scoreless innings versus the Tigers on Tuesday -- a game in which he actually served as the bulk reliever behind opener Cody Reed. Adam Berry of MLB.com reports that Wacha is still more likely than not to serve as a conventional starter versus Boston, but manager Kevin Cash said "it's all a possibility" when asked how he might deploy the offseason acquisition during his first regular-season turn in a Rays uniform.