MLB Player News

Strasburg didn't factor into the decision in a 2-0 loss to Atlanta during the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader, giving up only one hit and two walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out eight.

After an injury-marred spring that looked like it might not have given Strasburg enough time to get ready for the regular season, the right-hander was dominant in his 2021 debut, with his changeup particularly unhittable. He fired 48 of 85 pitches for strikes, but a lack of offensive support prevented him from coming away with a win. Strasburg will look for a better result in his next outing, set for Monday in St. Louis.

Ynoa didn't factor into the decision during the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out five over five scoreless innings as Atlanta downed the Nationals 2-0.

The young right-hander was both dominant and efficient, needing 68 pitches (44 strikes) to record 15 outs, but with Stephen Strasburg also tossing a gem for the Nats, Ynoa wasn't able to secure a win. Bryse Wilson was considered the likely candidate to fill the No. 5 starter role for Atlanta when the team needs one later this month, but Ynoa's impressive performance may have moved him to the front of the line instead. That assignment may now carry a lot more fantasy value as well in the wake of the news that Mike Soroka's return from a torn Achilles will be delayed by shoulder soreness.

Flaherty (1-0) allowed one hit and four walks while striking out six across six scoreless innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Marlins.

After surrendering six earned runs on Opening Day, Flaherty bounced back to hold the Marlins to just one hit. He did struggle a bit with his control, though two of the free passes came in the first frame. Flaherty also showed the ability to work deep into games, as he threw 101 total pitches. He'll look to build on this performance in his next outing, currently projected for Tuesday against Washington.

Gallen (forearm) is scheduled to throw 80 pitches in Wednesday's simulated game, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

This would seem to be the type of workload a pitcher would handle in his final tuneup before returning to the big-league rotation, but we should learn more about Gallen's next steps Thursday. Gallen threw 60-plus pitches in his most recent sim game last weekend, so he continues to trend in the right direction.

Hendricks allowed four hits and a walk while striking out six over six scoreless innings in Wednesday's 4-2 extra-inning loss to the Brewers. He did not factor in the decision.

Hendricks and Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff engaged in a pitchers' duel Wednesday. This was an improvement over Hendricks' season debut, in which he allowed three runs on four hits and three walks in three innings to the Pirates. The right-hander has a 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 10 strikeouts across nine innings in 2021. His next start is expected to be a rematch with the Brewers on Tuesday.

Soroka (Achilles) felt right shoulder discomfort while pitching at Atlanta's alternate site Tuesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. There is no structural damage, but Soroka will be shut down for two weeks.

General manager Alex Anthopolous suggested last month that Soroka could return to the rotation by mid-April, but in light of this setback, that's out the window. All bets are off as far as a possible return date goes; Soroka will need time for the inflammation in his shoulder to calm down before he can ramp back up. He had been working his way back from a torn Achilles' tendon.

Woodruff allowed one hit and struck out eight over seven innings in Wednesday's extra-inning win over the Cubs. He did not factor in the decision.

Woodruff was fantastic in a pitchers' duel with the Cubs' Kyle Hendricks on Wednesday. Only three runners reached base against Woodruff -- which came via an error, a single and a fielder's choice. The right-hander is still in search of his first win, but he has a strong 2.45 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB across 11 innings this season. He's expected to face the Cubs again Tuesday in his next start.

Castillo (1-1) earned the win Wednesday against the Pirates after allowing four hits and one walk with five strikeouts across seven scoreless innings.

The right-hander pounded the strike zone and delivered 61 of 81 pitches for strikes in an efficient performance Wednesday, which is a welcome sight after he surrendered eight earned runs to the Cardinals on Opening Day. Castillo next lines up to take the mound Tuesday at San Francisco.

Fried lasted two innings in a no-decision Wednesday in Atlanta's 7-6 win over Washington in the first game of a doubleheader. He gave up five runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out three.

Fried struggled out of the gate in his second start of the season, giving up four runs in the first inning while the Nationals batted around the order. He allowed three more hits and a run before escaping the second inning, with one of the outs coming on a line drive that caromed off Fried's lower right leg over to third baseman Austin Riley, who tagged out Trea Turner. Fried remained in the game to face two more hitters in the inning, but manager Brian Snitker elected not to send out the struggling southpaw for the third. According to David O'Brien of The Athletic, Snitker said after the game that Fried was fine and was lifted early mainly as a precaution, so the 27-year-old should be ready to pitch when his next turn comes up Monday versus the Marlins.

Darvish allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out seven across six innings Tuesday against the Giants. He did not factor into the decision.

Darvish bounced back from a rough Opening Day outing by firing six strong innings. His only blemish on the evening was surrendering a solo home run to Brandon Crawford in the third, as he otherwise held the Giants to a couple of singles. The Padres unfortunately weren't able to give him much run support, so he was unable to qualify for the win. However, he should have a good chance for another dominant performance in the series opener against the Pirates on Monday.