MLB Player News

Pfaadt (1-0) yielded a run on five hits over five frames Sunday, striking out six and earning a win over the Rockies.

Pfaadt cruised through four shutout innings before the Rockies finally pushed a run home in the fifth. The 25-year-old righty had just six punchouts through 10.2 frames in Cactus League play but showed better strikeout stuff Sunday. While he threw 61 of 87 pitches for strikes, only eight of those were whiffs. Pfaadt is riding momentum from the 2023 postseason and will look to keep it rolling in his next outing, which is projected to be in Atlanta.

Jefferies left his start against the Padres on Sunday a little worse for wear, as he is dealing with left hip discomfort, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Jefferies had a rough go of it against San Diego, allowing nine runs (five earned) on nine hits while striking out a batter over two innings. To make matters worse, he's now dealing with an injury that will be evaluated again Monday.

Irvin did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Reds, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

Irvin cruised through the first two innings of his start with three strikeouts while facing the minimum six batters. However, the Reds lineup broke through to post three runs on six hits over his final three innings. Irvin allowed plenty of hard contact, as all batted balls in the fourth and fifth innings were over 95 mph. However, he should be a mainstay in the Nationals rotation after making 24 starts for the team in 2023. Irvin's next outing is scheduled to be against the Phillies on the road.

The Dodgers transferred Sheehan (forearm) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Sheehan's move to the 60-day IL created a spot on the team's 40-man roster for Nabil Crismatt, whose contract was selected from Triple-A. The right-hander will now be sidelined until at least May 18 as he continues to work his way back from right forearm inflammation.

Rea (1-0) earned the win Sunday against the Mets after he allowed one run on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out two.

The right-hander wasn't particularly dominant as he generated just eight swinging strikes on 84 pitches, but he limited the damage by holding New York to just one extra-base hit. Rea was effective as a swingman last season with a 4.55 ERA, 1.19 and 110:38 K:BB across 124.2 innings, and he's opened 2024 with a more secure spot in the rotation. A matchup with the Mariners awaits next weekend.

Suarez did not factor into the decision Sunday against Atlanta, allowing three runs on three hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out seven.

Suarez faced a daunting task in opening his season against an Atlanta lineup that was best in the league last year against left-handed pitching (131 wRC+). He held his own and punched out seven Atlanta batters despite allowing a two-run homer to Ozzie Albies in the first inning. Suarez faces a much more manageable lineup in his next start, scheduled to be against the Nationals on the road.

Sale did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Phillies, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out seven.

Sale looked like his typical self Sunday, throwing 83 pitches over 5.1 innings in his Atlanta debut. The 35-year-old appears to be fully healthy, as he averaged 94.9-mph on his fastball, up one full tick from his average velocity in 2023. He also had some extra juice on his infamous sidewinding slider, generating a 79.4-mph average velocity, up from 77.8-mph in 2023. The only blemish on the Atlanta lefty's afternoon came via a leadoff homer in the first inning surrendered to Kyle Schwarber. Sale's next start is slated to be against Arizona at home.

Hudson is listed as the Rockies' probable starting pitcher for Monday's series opener in Chicago versus the Cubs.

Signed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal in January after being non-tendered by the Cardinals earlier in the offseason, Hudson was able to secure a spot in Colorado's Opening Day rotation, though he didn't face much in the way of quality competition for a spot. He was solid if unspectacular over his five Cactus League starts, posting a 4.20 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB in 15 innings in mostly hitter-friendly venues in Arizona. Hudson's career-long 55.1 percent groundball rate could set him up for more success in the high altitude of Colorado than a typical power pitcher, but he was never a major ERA or WHIP asset during parts of six big-league seasons in St. Louis. The 29-year-old should be viewed mostly as an NL-only option, and a low-upside one at that given the weak ratios he's posted throughout his career.

Gonzales is listed as the Pirates' probable starting pitcher for Monday's game against the Nationals.

With 155 career MLB starts to his name, Gonzales has experience working in his favor as he begins his first campaign in Pittsburgh, but he could be at risk of losing his spot later in the season if top prospect Paul Skenes and promising 23-year-old righty Quinn Priester are summoned to the big leagues. For now, he'll be entrusted to eat innings for the Pirates, but the soft-tossing Gonzales isn't especially appealing for fantasy purposes. Never a high-volume strikeout pitcher, Gonzales is difficult to depend on as an ERA and WHIP stabilizer coming off a season in Seattle in which he ranked in the bottom seven percent of the league with a .288 expected batting average, per Statcast.

Megill (0-1), who took the loss Sunday against the Brewers, was removed after four innings due to "tenderness" in his right shoulder and will undergo an MRI, Steve Gelbs of SNY reports. The right-hander struck out four and allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks.

The 28-year-old was in and out of trouble all afternoon as he threw just 44 of his 78 pitches for strikes, but he was able to limit the damage before the shoulder injury prompted his exit. The Mets are already shorthanded for starting pitching with Kodai Senga (shoulder) on the injured list, and Megill's availability for his next turn through the rotation is now up in the air.