MLB Player News

Gibson (1-1) took the loss against the Rays on Saturday, allowing four runs on five hits and a walk over 6.1 innings while striking out seven.

He threw 58 of 85 pitches for strikes and generated 16 swinging strikes, but Gibson was also hit hard when Tampa hitters were able to make contact -- he served up a two-run homer to C.J. Cron in the second inning, then got chased from the game in the seventh after back-to-back extra-base hits by Joey Wendle and Wilson Ramos. Gibson will take a 4.29 ERA into his next start, a tough road matchup Thursday against the Yankees.

Clevinger (2-0) hurled a complete game shutout Saturday against the Orioles, allowing just two hits while walking two and striking out three.

Clevinger was sharp in this one, requiring just 107 pitches in his nine innings of work while throwing 70 of them for strikes. The low strikeout total certainly isn't great to see, but it's hard to be upset about an outstanding 1.75 ERA through four starts. The right-hander will look to carry this strong performance into his next start Thursday against the Mariners.

Boyd's next start was bumped from Tuesday to Wednesday against the Pirates, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The only major result of the change for Boyd is an additional day of rest from last Wednesday's start. The 26-year-old has put together a fantastic start to the season with a 1.40 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 11 strikeouts over 19.1 innings. Boyd has allowed only one run in each of his three starts and will look to continue his impressive run against the Pirates.

Montgomery improved to 2-0 on the season after tossing six innings and allowing just one run on four hits -- all singles -- Saturday against the Blue Jays. He struck out five and walked three.

Montgomery has continued to pitch like a solid back-end starter this season. He hasn't struck out a batter per inning in any of his four starts but has allowed three runs or less in three of them. He was rarely in real trouble Saturday, letting in just one run after a small rally to start the fifth inning. His ERA now sits at a solid 3.80, and while his 4.53 xFIP suggests that he's due to slide back a bit, those numbers are a near match for the 3.88 ERA and 4.45 xFIP he posted in his rookie season, so it's possible he has the ability to slightly outperform his peripherals. Montgomery will next take the mound Thursday against the Twins.

Stroman fell to 0-2 on the season after allowing eight runs (six earned) in 5.1 innings Saturday against the Yankees. He gave up five hits (including one home run) and walked four while striking out five.

Stroman was mostly clean through five innings, allowing just one run on a solo shot to Aaron Judge in the third. The wheels came off in the sixth, though, as the Yankees went single, walk, single, walk, error, strikeout and double before Stroman was finally pulled. The Blue Jays' ace is off to a poor start this season, allowing at least four earned runs in each of his first four starts. His ERA now stands at 8.55. It's possible the shoulder inflammation that limited him this spring is still affecting him, though the team hasn't given any indication that that's the case.

Chirinos will start Sunday against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

There had been speculation that Chirinos wouldn't get the nod, as he hasn't officially been named the team's fourth starter and struggled the last time out against the Rangers. The Rays will indeed go with the 24-year-old after all. Through his first 20 innings this season, Chirinos has a 2.70 ERA. His 4.06 xFIP indicates that he's getting rather lucky but is still a competent starter. He has a solid 6.2 percent walk rate, but his low 18.5 percent strikeout rate limits his ceiling and his fantasy value.

Nicasio (1-0) fired a scoreless eighth inning during which he allowed one hit in a win over the Rangers on Friday.

Nicasio was razor sharp while firing 10 of his 12 offerings into the strike zone. The veteran right-hander is enjoying a prolific April from a reliever's standpoint, as he's racked up six holds and Friday's victory over eight appearances. While Nicasio has pitched to some contact, it's obvious that manager Scott Servais trusts his hard-throwing setup option to work through any struggles based on the heavy workload he's afforded him.

Kopech (0-1) allowed three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out a season-high 10 for Triple-A Charlotte on Friday.

Kopech made his third start of the season and upped his pitch count to 95 (59 for strikes). He was unable to pitch himself out of trouble and was hurt by a hit batsman, a stolen base, a balk and a wild pitch. The right-hander has a 2.40 ERA with five walks and 21 strikeouts over 15 innings. That 3.0 BB/9 walk rate is particularly encouraging, a sign that his wavering command is improving.

Verlander (3-0) struck out five, walked three, and allowed just two hits over six scoreless innings in Friday's win over the White Sox.

The two hits allowed were both singles. Verlander was at 96 pitches through six innings, and Houston had a nine-run lead by then, so manager A.J. Hinch handed the rest of the game over to the bullpen. This was the third time in five starts that Verlander hasn't allowed a run in at least six innings of work. He's brought his ERA down to 1.10 to go along with a 39:8 K:BB in 32.2 innings. Up next is a matchup with the Angels at home.

Lynn (0-1) came away with a no-decision in Friday's extra-inning loss to the Rays, allowing five runs on seven hits and five walks over six innings while striking out seven.

Early-season postponements have played havoc with Lynn's schedule perhaps more than any other pitcher in baseball, as he hadn't made a start since April 9, and the rust showed in Friday's outing. There were some positive signs for the right-hander, however -- he generated 15 swinging strikes among his 95 pitches -- and once he settles into a regular routine, his 6.00 ERA should improve. Weather permitting, Lynn will make his next start Wednesday on the road against the Yankees.