MLB Player News

Ramirez experienced forearm tightness during his start Saturday, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

This helps to explain his poor outing, but it's an ominous explanation. Ramirez underwent stem-cell therapy last season to treat a partially torn UCL in his throwing arm, and although it's unclear if this injury is related to that, it doesn't bode well for him. He'll be evaluated further Sunday, so more information should come forth then. It's unclear if he'll be able to make his next start, though things aren't looking good as they stand now.

Ramirez (0-2) took the loss Saturday against the Athletics, giving up three runs on two hits and five walks over two innings pitched. He struck out one.

This is the second straight rough outing for the right-hander, and even though he didn't serve up a homer this time out, he still struggled. Ramirez required 55 pitches to get through his pair of frames and struggled with command throughout. His poor ratios already made him an unappealing fantasy option, and this sluggish start is only making things worse. The Angels' six-man rotation seems to be keeping his job safe for now, though, so he'll look to bounce back in his next scheduled start Friday against the Royals.

Stroman (0-1) surrendered five runs on six hits and five walks across 4.2 innings en route to the loss Saturday against the Rangers. He struck out three.

Stroman's command was less than stellar in this one, as he threw just 44 of his 95 pitches for strikes. He managed to navigate the first four frames with just one run allowed thanks to some nifty escape work, but the Rangers eventually got to him with a string of doubles in the fifth inning. The right-hander will look to lower his lofty 8.38 ERA in his next start Friday against Cleveland.

Giolito (0-1) allowed five runs on four hits, three walks and three hit batsmen over 5.2 innings in Saturday's 6-1 loss to the Tigers. He struck out four, threw first-pitch strikes to 11 of 27 batters and strikes on 49 of 94 pitches.

It was a 32-degree day in Chicago, which presented a challenge to both starters' command, though Detroit's Michael Fulmer fared better than Giolito. Of the six men who got on base via free pass against Giolito, four scored. He hasn't handled the early-season weather well, having walked seven and hit four batters over his two starts (11.2 IP). On the plus side, he hasn't allowed a home run, which has been a trademark of his early career in the majors (15 HR, 66.2 IP prior to 2018). The right-hander pitched well during spring training, signaling a potential breakthrough this season, so fantasy owners need to be patient. Those in daily leagues or DFS may want to wait for the warmer weather, which may not be possible for his next start Thursday in Minnesota.

Berrios (1-1) took the loss against the Mariners on Saturday, giving up five runs on six hits over 4.2 innings while striking out seven.

He actually held Seattle hitless through the first three innings, but the chilly conditions -- the temperature at first pitch was 27 degrees, a record low for an MLB game in Minnesota -- eventually got to Berrios. The 23-year-old still has an impressive 13:1 K:BB through his first 13.2 innings this season, and he'll look to rebound Thursday at home against the White Sox.

The Angels optioned Bridwell to Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Bridwell's rough start Friday -- six runs allowed in only 1.2 innings -- comes back to bite him as the Angels recalled Akeel Morris to provide bullpen help a day after the team was forced to use six relievers. The 26-year-old is likely to make it back to the big leagues this season but will be spending the immediate future at Triple-A.

Gray (1-0) picked up the win over the Orioles on Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks over six innings while striking out four.

The right-hander stepped up to help save a depleted bullpen after CC Sabathia (hip) made an early exit from Friday's 14-inning affair, firing 55 of 86 pitches for strikes in his first win -- and first quality start -- of 2018. Gray will face a sterner test when he next takes the mound Thursday in Boston.

Luzardo gave up one run on four hits and one walk in 4.2 innings while striking out six in his debut start for High-A Stockton.

While he has never pitched at Low-A, it was not surprising to see him aggressively assigned to High-A, as he really impressed evaluators this spring. Luzardo has a complete repertoire with the potential for three plus pitches and plus command. As long as the talented southpaw stays healthy, he should cruise through the minors and could finish the year at Triple-A or even in the big leagues.

Kaprielian (elbow) could join the rotation at High-A Stockton by midseason, MLB.com's Mike Rosenbaum reports.

This is excellent news for the promising right-hander, as it sounds like his rehab from April 2017 Tommy John surgery is going as planned. While he will head to High-A when healthy, Kaprielian is already 24 years old and is an advanced pitching prospect, so he could quickly move to Double-A. If everything goes smoothly, he could make his big-league debut in 2019.

German was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

With CC Sabathia (hip) landing on the 10-day disabled list, either German or Luis Cessa, who was also called up from Triple-A, figures to slot into the Yankees' rotation Thursday in Boston. German was scheduled to start Saturday at Triple-A, so he would be available if the Yankees need length out of the bullpen, as he could pitch Saturday and still start Thursday on normal rest. German has not made a start in the big leagues, but has a 3.14 ERA in 14.1 innings of long relief and notched a 2.83 ERA with 81 strikeouts in 76.1 innings as a Triple-A starter last season. He could be a sneaky add in deeper leagues if he does indeed take Sabathia's spot in the rotation.