MLB Player News

Wacha (1-3) earned the win Saturday over the Astros, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out six over six shutout innings.

This was Wacha's best start of the campaign so far, with six innings and six strikeouts both being season highs. He walked multiple batters for the fourth time in six starts but didn't allow a runner to get past second base en route to his first win of the season. Wacha has pitched pretty well, posting a 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 26:12 K:BB across 32 over six starts. His 3.4 BB/9 is elevated compared to recent seasons -- he posted a 2.4 BB/9 last year and his highest in the last four years is the 2.9 mark he had in 2023 with the Padres. If he can get that area under control, Wacha should again be an even more reliable innings eater in the middle of the Royals' rotation. The right-hander's next start is projected to be at Baltimore.

Valdez (1-3) tossed a complete game in Saturday's loss to the Royals, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out five over eight innings.

Valdez allowed a sacrifice fly for the opening run in the first inning and also gave up a solo home run to Vinnie Pasquantino in the fifth. This was Valdez's fourth quality start in six outings this season. He's also allowed just three homers while maintaining a 4.00 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 31:13 K:BB across 36 innings. He's lined up for a favorable matchup in his next outing, which is projected to be on the road versus the White Sox.

Cannon (1-3) picked up the win Saturday against the Athletics, yielding three runs on six hits and two walks over 7.2 innings. He struck out five.

The Chicago right-hander looked sharp in this outing, working behind opener Tyler Gilbert, who fired a clean first inning. Cannon generated a respectable 14 whiffs out of 95 total pitches. The 24-year-old now sports a 4.50 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 27:17 K:BB across 32 innings. Given his success pitching behind an opener, it would not be surprising to see the White Sox use Cannon in the same role for his next appearance, which currently lines up to be against the Astros at home.

Woods Richardson (2-2) earned the win against the Angels on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits while striking out seven in 5.1 innings. He did not issue a walk.

Woods Richardson limited the Angels to just four base runners, and his only blemish came in the third inning when gave up a solo homer to Zach Neto. It was the second time in his last three outings that Woods Richardson gave up just one earned run, and the 24-year-old right-hander has a 4.07 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 26:6 K:BB across 24.1 innings this season. His next start is slated for next week on the road against the Guardians.

Springs (3-3) took the loss Saturday against the White Sox, allowing seven runs (five earned) on seven hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out four.

The 32-year-old southpaw was unsteady out the gate against the lowly White Sox, who managed to lace four extra-base hits (one homer and three doubles) in the first inning. Springs was unable to recover from there, but he tossed 100 total pitches to absorb innings for the bullpen. Springs has floundered in his first season with the Athletics, pitching to a 6.04 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 27:16 K:BB across 28.1 innings. He currently lines up to make his next start at Texas this upcoming week.

Kikuchi (0-4) took the loss against the Twins on Saturday, allowing four runs on nine hits and four walks over two innings. He did not strike out a batter.

Kikuchi yielded three runs in the first frame off six singles (including four straight to start the game) and a walk. The veteran southpaw gave up another run in the second inning and was lifted ahead of the third after tossing 66 pitches (37 strikes) and generating just three whiffs. Saturday's outing was a stark contrast to his previous start against the Giants on April 20, when he tossed 5.1 innings without giving up an earned run. Kikuchi is now up to a 4.31 ERA and 1.60 WHIP through 31.1 innings, and his 18 walks is tied with Carlos Rodon for second most in the American League behind Charlie Morton (20).

Lively didn't factor into the decision in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Red Sox, giving up four runs on six hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out four.

Half the hits off Lively went for extra bases, including homers by Wilyer Abreu in the first inning and Rafael Devers in the third. The right-hander has had an up-and-down beginning to the season, and Lively will take a 4.40 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 23:11 K:BB through 30.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Twins.

Houck came away with a no-decision in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians, giving up four runs on eight hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander has yet to put together back-to-back strong outings this season, but there were signs of progress Saturday for Houck. He generated 32 called or swinging strikes among his 94 pitches (61 total strikes), and he avoided issuing multiple free passes for the first time in 2025. Houck is still looking for his first win of the year, and he'll take a 7.58 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 24:12 K:BB through 29.2 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Toronto.

Mahle allowed two runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out one over five innings in a no-decision versus the Giants on Saturday.

This could have been much worse for Mahle, but he induced a couple of double plays to limit the damage. A game-tying two-run single by Willy Adames in the fifth inning took Mahle out of the running for the win. The right-hander has still put together an excellent first month of the season, pitching to a 1.14 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 26:13 K:BB in 31.2 innings over six starts. This was the first time he's allowed multiple runs in an outing this season, though an early hook in his 1.2-inning season debut spared him an uglier stat line in that game. Mahle is tentatively projected to make his next start at home versus the Athletics.

Mize (4-1) picked up the win in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Orioles, allowing one run on eight hits over 5.1 innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The right-hander made only one real mistake on the afternoon, which Ryan O'Hearn deposited into the left-field seats for a solo shot in the fourth inning. Mize has given up one run or fewer in four of his five starts to begin the season, and he'll take a 2.12 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB through 29.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next week against the Angels.