MLB Player News

Elder (2-0) earned a victory over Kansas City on Saturday, allowing three runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out four batters over 5.1 innings.

Elder wasn't nearly as successful as in his first two outings of the campaign, when he hurled 12.1 scoreless innings. The right-hander nonetheless managed his way to a win, holding the Royals to just one run over his first four frames and departing in the sixth with a three-run lead. One of the runs charged to him came after he departed, and Elder again showed a solid arsenal in racking up 13 swinging strikes. He has forced his way into Atlanta's rotation by winning two of his first three starts while posting a 1.53 ERA over his first 17.2 frames.

Davis will start Sunday's series finale against the Mariners, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.

Davis will get the ball on Sunday to replace German Marquez (forearm) after Marquez was placed on the injured list. Davis has made three starts for Triple-A Albuquerque thus far with a 4.26 ERA and 1.72 WHIP over 12.2 innings. He gave up two runs in one inning in his only MLB appearance of 2022.

DeSclafani didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 7-6 extra-innings loss to the Tigers, giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits over 6.2 innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The veteran right-hander seemed to have the game well in hand heading into the bottom of the fifth inning, but a couple of uncharacteristic errors by Brandon Crawford allowed Detroit to close the gap to 6-3. DeSclafani still exited the game in the seventh after 105 pitches (69 strikes) in line for his second win, but for the second straight game, the Giants' bullpen imploded late. The 32-year-old appears healthy and back in his 2021 form to begin the current campaign, posting a 1.42 ERA and 16:0 K:BB through three quality starts and 19 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, likely to come next week at home against the Mets.

Carrasco did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk over five innings during a 3-2 win over the Athletics. He struck out three.

Aside from a bumpy second inning, Carrasco was able to keep the bases clear and got through five innings for the first time this season. The right-hander had allowed at least one home run and multiple walks in each of his first two starts, so Saturday's outing was certainly a step in the right direction. Carrasco's next start is tentatively scheduled for New York's upcoming four-game set in San Francisco.

Peralta (2-1) took the loss Saturday while allowing five runs on nine hits and one walk over five innings in a 10-3 loss against the Padres. He struck out five.

Peralta was staked a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but he immediately wasted that cushion by giving up three runs over the first two frames. He was able to get through the next pair of innings unscathed but a two-run home run by Jake Cronenworth gave the Padres the 5-3 lead, sending Peralta to his first loss of the season. The 26-year-old was outstanding over his first two starts of the season, allowing one run over 12 innings, but he didn't have his best stuff against a tough San Diego lineup. He'll take a 3.18 ERA into a start that's lined up for next weekend against the Red Sox.

Lugo did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk over 3.2 innings against the Brewers. He struck out five.

Lugo gave up a pair of runs in the first inning, and after he plunked Jesse Winker in the fourth with the bases loaded, the right-hander was relieved by Steven Wilson. It's particularly disappointing considering how well Lugo had pitched in his first two starts as a member of the San Diego rotation, as he had given up just one run in each of those first two efforts. He's scheduled to get a chance to rebound next week in Arizona.

Mets manager Buck Showalter announced after Saturday's game that Butto will get the start Sunday against the Athletics in place of Max Scherzer (side/back), Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Scherzer's start is being moved back three days because of lingering soreness in his back and side, so it'll be Butto on the bump. Butto made two starts with Triple-A Syracuse before being promoted Saturday morning, and should be fully stretched out while getting a chance to face one of the weaker MLB lineups Sunday.

Matz did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks over 5.2 innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out six.

Walks were a problem for Matz on Saturday, and his free pass to Conner Joe with the bases loaded tied the game at 2-2 in the third inning. He also allowed a long home run to Ke'Bryan Hayes -- estimated at 440 feet -- in the first, but that was it in terms of runs. Even with the control issues, this was the best start of the season for the southpaw, as he came into the game with a 8.18 ERA and allowed at least four runs in both of his previous outings. He'll get a chance to build on this effort next week, as he's tentatively scheduled for a road start in Seattle.

Contreras didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Cardinals after allowing two runs on six hits over six innings. He walked three and struck out six.

There was plenty of traffic and self-inflicted damage for Contreras in the no-decision, but the right-hander was able to keep the Cardinals at bay after giving up two runs in the first inning. He's pitched effectively in two of his three outings thus far in 2023 with the one exception being a seven-run struggle against the Astros in his previous start. It's true for many pitchers in the early stages, but Contreras has pitched better than his 6.00 ERA over 15 innings suggests.

Verlander (shoulder) threw a successful bullpen session Saturday in Florida, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

It was his first time throwing off a mound since he suffered a low-grade teres major muscle strain just before Opening Day. Verlander will do another bullpen workout early next week before then advancing to live batting practice. At least one minor-league rehab start would follow. There's no exact timetable, but the veteran right-hander appears on track to make his Mets debut around late April or early May.