MLB Player News

Gray (0-1) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on eight hits and two walks over four-plus innings as the Nationals fell 7-3 to the Mets. He struck out five.

The right-hander had trouble commanding his stuff, throwing only 47 of 80 pitches for strikes and getting tagged for four extra-base hits when he did come over the plate, including a Jeff McNeil solo shot in the third inning. Gray's April doesn't get any easier in his next outing, a road start Wednesday in Atlanta against the defending champs.

Kelly took a no-decision in Friday's 3-0 loss to San Diego, allowing no runs on four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts across four innings.

Kelly quieted a potent Padres offense and was able to keep Arizona competitive before the bullpen caved. Manager Torey Lovullo only let Kelly get through the lineup twice, as the Padres made him grind through a 28-pitch first inning and 25-pitch fourth inning that inflated his pitch count to 75. The 33-year-old lines up to face the Mets in his next start Friday.

Buehler (1-0) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks over five innings Friday, striking out five and picking up a win over the Rockies.

All the damage against Buehler came in the second inning when he coughed up two runs on three hits. The 27-year-old righty kept the Rockies scoreless for the next three frames, finishing his outing with 78 pitches (53 strikes). He posted a 6.52 ERA in 9.2 innings this spring as he works to shake off the rust from a long offseason. Buehler is expected to face the Reds at home next week.

Freeland (0-1) yielded five runs on five hits and two walks over 3.2 innings Friday, striking out six and taking a loss against the Dodgers.

Freeland rolled through three shutout frames before the Dodgers jumped him in the fourth. He allowed three runs to cross the plate before he left the game and was charged with two more from runners he left on base. The lefty is now 4-10 with a 4.17 ERA in his career against the Dodgers. Freeland is lined up to face the Cubs at home next week.

Webb didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 6-5 extra-inning win over the Marlins, allowing one run on five hits and a walk over six-plus innings. He struck out three.

The right-hander blanked Miami over six frames, but after walking Joey Wendle on four pitches to begin the seventh, Webb was replaced by Dominic Leone and watched Wendle come around to score two batters later. The win then slipped through his fingers when Camilo Doval blew the save in the top of the ninth. Webb still got his season off to a flying start, and he'll look to keep that momentum going Wednesday at home against the Padres.

Nola (1-0) allowed four runs on four hits in six innings while striking out seven in a 9-5 win Friday over Oakland.

Nola was very efficient through the first six innings, needing just 65 pitches and limiting Oakland to a solo home run and a hit batsman. However, in the seventh, the 28-year-old allowed hits to the first three batters he faced, culminating with a three-run home run by Seth Brown, and was promptly removed. The potent Philadelphia offense staked Nola a sizeable lead and set the former All-Star up for his first victory of the season.

Alcantara didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Giants, giving up three runs (two earned) on three hits and five walks over five innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander threw only 44 of 83 pitches for strikes before exiting with Miami down 3-0, but a ninth-inning rally took him off the hook for a loss. Considering he posted a career-best 6.0 percent walk rate in 2021, this performance can be chalked up to an abbreviated spring buildup. Alcantara will look to sharpen his control in his next start Thursday against the Phillies, in the Marlins' home opener.

Contreras was recalled by the Pirates on Friday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Contreras is one of the Pirates' top pitching prospects. He was called up for a single three-inning start last September but otherwise has only made one other start above Double-A. He was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis in late March but will be back for another opportunity already. Exactly what his role will be is unclear. Reliever Duane Underwood (hamstring) was placed on the injured list in a corresponding move. Contreras could work out of the bullpen in his place or enter the rotation and push a different pitcher to that role.

Walker (knee) completed a 45-pitch bullpen session Friday and will start Monday's game against the Phillies, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander exited his final start of spring training Tuesday with knee soreness, but he had no issues during Friday's bullpen session and is ready for his 2022 debut. It's still worth monitoring Walker's status for the immediate future, as he was limited to begin spring training while recovering from a knee debridement procedure he underwent in January. He could at least face a workload restriction in his first couple outings of the campaign.

Priester landed on the 7-day injured list with Double-A Altoona on Friday due to an oblique injury, Mike Persak of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The exact nature and severity of Priester's injury have not yet been announced. Priester is a fairly interesting prospect but is unlikely to make his big-league debut this season, as he spent all of last season at High-A Greensboro.