MLB Player News

Matz (2-0) earned the win Saturday against the Twins after allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out eight over six innings.

Matz tossed 58 of his 97 pitches for strikes and looked far better than in his season-opening outing, when he allowed four runs on six hits across five frames in a win over the Cardinals. Matz has a 10:3 K:BB through his first two starts of the season, but a tougher test awaits for his next start, which is tentatively lined up for next weekend at home against the Yankees.

Morales (0-2) took the loss Saturday, coughing up five runs on eight hits and six walks over three-plus innings as the A's were routed 11-0 by the Astros. He failed to strike out a batter.

It was a disastrous outing for Morales, who managed only 38 strikes on 77 pitches before getting the hook after he walked the leadoff batter in the fourth inning. The right-hander may not be long for the rotation if he can't tighten up his control, and through two starts he carries a 12.27 ERA, 2.86 WHIP and 5:8 K:BB over 7.1 innings. His next start is scheduled to come on the road next weekend against the Mets.

Imai (1-0) picked up the win in Saturday's 11-0 rout of the A's, allowing three hits and three walks over 5.2 scoreless innings. He struck out nine.

After a bumpy MLB debut that saw him last just 2.2 frames, the 27-year-old righty looked much more comfortable in his second trip to the mound Saturday as he fired 58 of 94 pitches for strikes and came one out short of his first quality start for the Astros. Imai will take a 4.32 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB through his first 8.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next weekend in Seattle.

Early did not factor into the decision Saturday against the Padres, allowing two runs on three hits and four walks with four strikeouts across four innings.

Early labored through four innings, needing 88 pitches to do so, and struggled with his command. San Diego's sputtering offense was unable to do much with the baserunners, however, pushing across just two runs against Early. Through two starts, the left-hander owns a 2.89 ERA and 10:6 K:BB across 9.1 innings, and he's also thrown a pair of wild pitches. Early's next start will likely come next weekend in St. Louis.

Flaherty didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 11-6 win over the Cardinals, getting charged with five runs on three hits and four walks over four-plus innings. He struck out six.

Facing the team he made his big-league debut with in 2017, Flaherty was cruising with a 7-1 lead heading into the fifth inning, but he put the first four batters of the frame on base before getting the hook after 86 pitches (47 strikes). Jordan Walker then greeted reliever Drew Anderson with a grand slam, tacking three more runs onto Flaherty's ledger. The veteran right-hander has fallen short of lasting five innings in both his starts to begin the year, posting a 7.56 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 8:8 K:BB through 8.1 innings. He'll try to find some consistency in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Minnesota.

Cecconi won't make his scheduled start against the Cubs on Saturday, as the game was postponed due to inclement weather, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Chicago and Cleveland will make up Saturday's contest in a doubleheader Sunday, and Cecconi is penciled in to start the early game, per Chris Assenheimer of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. The 26-year-old righty got off to a poor start to the season by allowing six earned runs in 4.1 innings during his season debut against the Mariners last Sunday.

The Tigers recalled Montero from Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old righty will join the big-league rotation as a replacement for Justin Verlander, who landed on the injured list Saturday with a hip injury. Montero made 20 appearances (12 starts) with the Tigers last season, posting a 4.37 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 90.2 innings. He began the 2026 campaign by throwing four shutout frames in Triple-A while allowing just one hit and one walk. He'll make his MLB season debut Sunday against the Cardinals.

The Tigers placed Verlander on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to left hip inflammation, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Verlander was lit up for five earned runs in just 3.2 innings during his first start of the season Monday, and he seems to have come out of that appearance with the hip injury. He'll be eligible to return from the IL on April 16, though it's unknown if he'll be ready by then. In the meantime, Keider Montero will come up from Triple-A Toledo to fill the opening in Detroit's rotation.

Paez cleared waivers Saturday and was returned to the Red Sox, Chris Henrique of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

The White Sox selected Paez during the Rule 5 Draft over the winter, but after making the Opening Day roster, he was designated for assignment by the club after giving up six earned runs on four hits and three walks in just three innings over three appearances. The 22-year-old had never pitched an inning above the High-A level before debuting for Chicago, but now that he's being returned to his original organization, the Red Sox will have him report to Double-A Portland, per Christopher Smith of MassLive.com.

Yesavage (shoulder) allowed one run on one hit and one walk over 2.2 innings for Single-A Dunedin on Friday. He struck our four.

The young right-hander began a rehab assignment after a shoulder impingement cut short his spring, and Yesavage was able to throw 44 pitches while showing velocity that was nearly at his 2025 levels. He appears to be the closest to returning of the Blue Jays' injured starters, with Jose Berrios (elbow) and Shane Bieber (forearm) also working their way back. The next step for Yesavage will be determined in a couple of days once the organization sees how his arm bounced back from Friday's outing.