MLB Player News

Boyd (1-1) earned the win Wednesday against the Angels, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out 10.

Boyd was dialed in for his second start after coughing up six runs in a rough season debut, turning in his ninth career game with at least 10 strikeouts. The left-hander threw 64 of his 98 pitches for strikes Wednesday, and he also registered a staggering 20 whiffs on the afternoon. Boyd will be looking to carry this momentum into his next start, which is slated for next week at pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field versus the Rays.

Abbott (0-1) took the loss Wednesday, giving up four runs on five hits and three walks over 5.2 innings as the Reds fell 8-3 to the Pirates. He struck out five.

The big blow off Abbott was a three-run homer by Oneil Cruz in the first inning, and while the southpaw settled down from there, that was too much of a cushion to give Paul Skenes. Abbott tossed 55 of 88 pitches for strikes, and through his first two starts of the year he's managed a 3.09 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 9:4 K:BB in 11.2 innings. He'll look for his first win of 2026 in his next outing, which is set to come on the road next week in Miami.

Sale (2-0) allowed one run on one hit over six innings Wednesday to record the win as Atlanta downed the A's 5-1. He struck out three without walking a batter.

Shea Langeliers' solo shot in the fourth inning ended up being the only runner to reach base against Sale over 79 pitches (57 strikes). The veteran southpaw has been brilliant to begin the season, delivering two straight quality starts with a 0.75 ERA, 0.58 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB in 12 innings. Sale will look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week against the Angels.

Priester (wrist) will report to the Brewers' spring training complex in Arizona later this week to resume throwing live batting practice, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Priester checked an important box in his recovery process from symptoms related to thoracic outlet syndrome by throwing a 20-pitch bullpen session Tuesday. With the right-hander checking out fine following that workout, he'll face hitters over the next few days before the Brewers map out a schedule for a minor-league rehab assignment. Priester missed all of spring training, so he'll require a prolonged assignment and may not be ready to return from the 15-day injured list until early May.

Perez may replace Jose Suarez when Atlanta next needs a fifth starter Sunday against the Diamondbacks, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

While Suarez struggled in his start Tuesday and lasted just 3.2 innings, Perez saved the rest of the bullpen by tossing 4.1 scoreless innings of relief on only 47 pitches, allowing just two hits with a 3:0 K:BB in his season debut. Manager Walt Weiss has yet to tip his hand on which of them will get the nod Sunday, but Perez's performance likely makes him the favorite.

Pushard (knee) will be shut down for 4-to-5 days before resuming a throwing program, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Pushard landed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with right knee patellar tendinitis. The Rule 5 selection will be eligible to return April 14 but could be given more time than that to recuperate.

Painter (1-0) picked up the win in Tuesday's 3-2 victory over the Nationals, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out eight.

Making his long-awaited big-league debut, Painter fired 57 of 84 pitches for strikes and topped out at 98.7 mph with his four-seam fastball, although his velocity began to fade in the fifth inning. The 22-year-old right-hander made a clear early statement that he intends to stick around in the Phillies' rotation even after Zack Wheeler (shoulder) comes off the IL. Painter lines up to make his next start early next week on the road in San Francisco.

Williamson (0-1) was the losing pitcher Tuesday when he allowed six runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings in an 8-3 loss to Pittsburgh.

Williamson was roughed up by the Pirates in his first big-league start in 560 days. The left-hander avoided damage in the first inning, when he gave up a single and a walk to the first two batters, but the Pirates eventually got to him in the second. A three-run home run from Ryan O'Hearn and a solo blast by Bryan Reynolds highlighted Pittsburgh's five-run frame. "Obviously I threw a few too many heaters over the plate," Williamson told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "Hindsight 20/20, I throw something else or locate it a little bit. Really the three-run shot was the dagger." Williamson later gave up a third home run in the fourth inning. He's scheduled to make his next start April 6 against the Marlins, but Williamson did little to suggest he'll keep his spot in the rotation once Nick Lodolo (finger) is cleared to make his season debut.

Littell (0-1) took the loss Tuesday, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks over five innings of relief as the Nationals were downed 3-2 by the Phillies. He struck out one.

After PJ Poulin worked a scoreless first inning as the opener, Littell took the mound and lasted 75 pitches (53 strikes) while serving up solo shots to Kyle Schwarber in the third inning and Adolis Garcia in the fourth. Littell didn't sign with the Nats until early March, so Tuesday's usage likely has more to do with the fact that the right-hander wasn't quite stretched out yet, rather than being a sign that he'll be used as a primary pitcher behind an opener on a regular basis. Littell is expected to make his next appearance at home early next week against the Cardinals.

Kelly (back) is scheduled to start for Triple-A Reno on Friday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

The plan for Kelly, fresh off a 35-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, is to get as close to or into the 70s with his pitch count Friday. This could be the only rehab start he makes before rejoining the Diamondbacks. Kelly was placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 24, which means he could be activated as early as next Wednesday, April 8.