MLB Player News

Wheeler (1-0) picked up the win in Saturday's 4-0 victory over Atlanta, allowing only one hit and striking out 10 over seven scoreless innings.

A Travis d'Arnaud single in the second inning was the only blemish on Wheeler's line as he fired 62 of 90 pitches for strikes, and the right-hander generated more offense than the entire Atlanta lineup by going 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored and two RBI. Wheeler posted a career-low 2.92 ERA last year but also had a lackluster 17.5 percent strikeout rate -- at least through one start in 2021, it looks like his whiffs have returned with a vengeance.

Wainwright (0-1) gave up six runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out one batter over 2.2 innings in a loss to the Reds on Saturday.

After cruising through the first two frames, Wainwright gave up a six-spot in the third. Nothing was hit particularly hard after Tucker Barnhart's two-run homer early in the inning, so the line was probably uglier than Wainwright deserved, although it can't all be chalked up to "bad luck." The 39-year-old's declining strikeout rate leaves him susceptible to BABIP variance and volatility. Up next is a home start against the Brewers.

Morton (0-1) took the loss Saturday as Atlanta fell 4-0 to the Phillies, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks over five innings while striking out five.

The veteran right-hander turned in a respectable performance, tossing 50 of 76 pitches for strikes, but he had no margin for error with Atlanta managing only one hit against Zack Wheeler and the Philly bullpen. Morton will try to get some revenge in a rematch against the Phillies on Friday back in Atlanta.

Mahle (1-0) was charged with three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks over five innings in a win over the Cardinals on Saturday. He struck out nine.

Shortstop Paul DeJong was the thorn in Mahle's side, taking the right-hander yard on two occasions. Mahle was dominant otherwise with nine swinging strikes and 21 called strikes among 84 total pitches. He helped the team to its first win of 2021 and the schedule projects favorably for him in the immediate future with road matchups in Arizona and San Francisco next on the docket.

Lugo remains on schedule in his recovery from elbow surgery and has been throwing off flat ground since the final week of March, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Lugo was originally expected to return sometime around mid-May when he underwent the procedure to remove a loose body from his right elbow in mid-February. While he's yet to advance to mound work, he appears to still be on that timeline.

Gallen (forearm) threw 60-plus pitches in a simulated game at Arizona's alternate training site Saturday, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

Manager Torey Lovullo said the right-hander was throwing at "game-intensity," though it's unclear if he was able to throw any curveballs, which was the pitch on which he was previously experiencing pain in his forearm. The 26-year-old is building up to a starter's workload after suffering a forearm stress fracture during the closing stages of spring training. Gallen will need to work his curveball back into the mix before being cleared for his season debut.

Anderson allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks in five innings of a 5-1 loss to the Cubs on Saturday. He struck out seven batters.

The lefty, who recorded 22 swings-and-misses, took advantage of the free-swinging Cubs but surrendered a solo homer to Kris Bryant. He's lined up to make the team's home Opening Day start Thursday, though nothing has been announced.

Senzatela (0-1) took the loss Friday as the Rockies fell 11-6 to the Dodgers, surrendering seven runs on nine hits and a walk over 3.1 innings. He struck out two.

The right-hander didn't serve up any homers, but that's about the only positive takeaway from an otherwise rough 2021 debut. Senzatela somehow managed a 2.10 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 34.1 innings last year at Coors Field, but any chance of a repeat of those numbers was quickly dispelled. He'll look for a better result in his next scheduled start Wednesday on the road in Arizona.

Lopez didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 6-4 loss to the Rays, giving up two hits and two walks over five scoreless innings while striking out four.

The right-hander threw 51 of 77 pitches for strikes before exiting with the score tied 0-0, only to watch Richard Bleier promptly serve up a homer to Austin Meadows in the top of the sixth and get the ball rolling on a wild finish. Lopez took a big step forward in 2020, and it looks like he might be able to build on those gains this season. The 25-year-old will face the Cardinals at home in his next scheduled start Wednesday.

Snell hurled 4.2 scoreless innings against Arizona on Friday, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out eight. He did not factor in the decision.

Snell looked good in his first game as a Padre, racking up 18 swinging strikes and whiffing eight batters. He fell one out shy of qualifying for the win, however, as manager Jayce Tingler chose to pull him after Snell threw 86 pitches before finishing the fifth inning. Limited pitch counts have haunted the southpaw in the past, of course, but he figures to have a longer leash in San Diego as the season progresses. He'll look to build upon a solid first start when he faces San Francisco at home Wednesday.