MLB Player News

Taillon (back) allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk over 2.2 innings in his first rehab start with Double-A Tennessee on Sunday.

Taillon struck out four and got his pitch count up to 52. From a results perspective, it's not the outing Taillon and the Cubs were looking for, but he'll get another rehab start or two to sharpen things up before rejoining the Cubs' rotation. Taillon didn't pitch at all during spring training due a strained back.

Rea (2-0) got the win over the Mariners on Sunday, allowing two runs (one earned) on seven hits over six innings. He struck out three.

Rea was uncertain to even make his start Sunday after he was reported to have been battling a stomach virus the day prior but turned in another successful outing. He gave up runs in back-to-back frames to open up the game but was unbothered after the Brewers staked him a 6-2 lead by the third. Rea's stuff hasn't been flashy by any means, but he's been an important piece to this rotation that does not have much depth. Things won't get any easier for the 33-year-old who is projected to face the Orioles in Baltimore during the upcoming week.

Gibson (1-1) took the loss Sunday against the Marlins, allowing seven runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five over six innings.

The Marlins jumped all over Gibson in the first inning for six runs on five hits, which included two three-run homers off the bats of Jazz Chisholm and Nick Gordon. After a rough opening frame, Gibson was able to then settle in, allowing just two more hits the rest of the way. Gibson has been able to go at least six innings in both starts this season, though he's allowed nine runs on 11 hits (four home runs) in 13 innings. The 36-year-old will look to bounce back in a projected road start against the Diamondbacks this upcoming week.

Meyer (1-0) got the win over the Cardinals on Sunday after allowing just one run on three hits and a walk while striking out three over six innings.

Sunday was Meyer's first-career MLB win and quality start as he became the first Marlins starter to complete six innings so far this year. The 25-year-old retired the first 13 batters he faced before Nolan Gorman got to him in the fourth with a solo blast to center. Meyer's been extremely impressive in the early going and has possibly solidified himself a spot in the rotation even once the Marlins return some guys from injury. Meyer now has a 2.45 ERA and 0.73 WHIP over two starts and projects for a tough matchup against Atlanta coming up this week.

Nelson (0-2) took the loss Sunday against Atlanta, giving up three runs on five hits and no walks across five innings. He struck out seven.

Outside of solo homers allowed to Matt Olson and Michael Harris, Nelson held his own against one of MLB's top offenses. His strikeout total tied his career high, which was set in his first MLB appearance in September of 2022. While three runs over five innings won't quite right the ship after an awful debut, it's a step in the right direction for the 26-year-old, who's looking to improve upon his poor 5.31 ERA last season. However, he'll likely have only one more trip through the rotation with Jordan Montgomery shooting to join the big-league club as soon as April 19. For now, Nelson is projected for a date with the Cardinals on Saturday.

Sale (1-0) picked up the win Sunday against Arizona, surrendering two runs on four hits and no walks while striking out six over 5.1 innings.

After throwing 83 pitches in his 2024 debut, Sale saw his pitch count rise to 96 on Sunday. However, the result was the same, as he lasted 5.1 innings with two runs allowed. As usual, the big question for Sale's fantasy value comes down to his durability -- he tossed 11.0 innings combined in 2021 and 2022 before rebounding with 102.2 innings across 20 starts in his last season with the Red Sox. For as long as he's healthy, fantasy managers should get some good performances from the talented veteran. While there's some rotational shakeup coming in the wake of Spencer Strider's (elbow) move to the 15-day IL, Sale's tentatively scheduled to face the Marlins in Miami next time out.

Stone (0-1) was tagged with the loss after he pitched three innings, giving up five runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out five in Sunday's 8-1 defeat against the Cubs.

Stone didn't have his best stuff Sunday, and combined with two fielding errors by his infield, he ended up with the loss. Through two starts in 2024, the right-hander has surrendered eight runs (four earned) on 11 hits and four walks over eight innings, navigating plenty of traffic on the basepaths. The 25-year-old is tentatively set to return to the mound Saturday at home versus the Padres.

Sanches (0-1) took the loss Sunday versus Washington, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks across 4.1 innings. He struck out one batter.

Sanchez's strikeout production took a 180 on Sunday, going from eight K's over five innings in his 2024 debut to just a single punchout. While the thought of Sanchez becoming a plus-strikeout pitcher was nice for fantasy managers who've invested in him, Sanchez has a career K/9 of 8.7 in 42 big-league appearances (23 starts) and will likely settle in near that number this season. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Pirates for his next start.

Abbott dropped to 0-1 in Sunday's 3-1 loss to the Mets after allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

Abbott allowed one run each in the first (unearned), third and fourth innings, which turned out to be too much for the Reds to overcome. It was not a bad start for the young lefty but also not the type of start that will force the Reds to stick with him. With Nick Lodolo's (calf) return from the injured list looming after making his final rehab start on Sunday, Abbott could be at risk of losing his rotation spot if manager David Bell elects to stick with a five-man starting staff.

Gore (1-0) picked up the win Sunday against the Phillies, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out six.

Gore has given up three or fewer runs in each of his first two starts of the new season and has carried over his strong strikeout production from 2023. However, he's been unable to make it through six innings in either appearance, being pulled midway through the sixth with his pitch count pushing toward 100. Gore also struggled with inefficiency last season, reaching the six-innings pitched mark in merely 10 of his 27 starts. Gore is set up to face the A's in Oakland for his next projected start.