MLB Player News

Alcantara (1-0) was charged with two runs (one earned) on three hits over 6.2 innings in a win over the Phillies on Friday. He struck out seven and issued two walks.

Alcantara carried the momentum he picked up over the final two months of 2019 into his first outing of 2020, outdueling Aaron Nola to lead Miami to a road win on Opening Day. He allowed a homer to Didi Gregorius but was able to blow past most of the Phillies' hitters with his high-90s fastball, inducing 14 swinging strikes overall on 87 pitches. The 24-year-old seems to be slowly growing into his ace role and will look to keep it going next week in Baltimore.

Lugo (1-0) tossed two scoreless innings Friday, allowing one run and no walks while striking out three as he earned the win against Atlanta.

Jacob deGrom went five innings without allowing a run Friday, and Lugo was able to preserve the shutout over two innings of relief. He picked up the win after the Mets put the only run of the game on the board in the bottom of the seventh inning. The 30-year-old could be put into similar situations over the first few weeks as the starters build up to a full workload. The right-hander picked up seven wins and six saves over 61 relief appearances last season while posting a 2.70 ERA and 0.90 WHIP.

Gray (1-0) gave up one run on three hits and two walks while striking out nine over six innings in a win over the Tigers on Friday.

C.J. Cron golfed a low pitch for a home run, but otherwise the Tigers couldn't touch Gray. The right-hander induced ugly swing after ugly swing and froze hitters with late movement on his pitches. While Gray was not treated as a fantasy ace during draft season, he's been getting closer to that conversation seemingly with every start since joining Cincinnati prior to the 2019 season. Up next is a home start against the Cubs on Wednesday.

Soroka tossed six scoreless innings in Friday's loss to the Mets but didn't factor into the decision. He allowed four hits and no walks while striking out three.

Soroka served as the youngest Opening Day starter in franchise history Friday, and he rose to the occasion by stifling the Mets' offense as he picked up a quality start. However, Atlanta's bats were also quieted by Jacob deGrom, so Soroka had to settle for a no-decision. The 22-year-old posted a 2.68 ERA and 142:41 K:BB over 174.2 innings last season. His next start should come at home Wednesday against the Rays.

Kershaw (back) played catch up to 90 feet Friday, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Kershaw's MRI came back clean Friday, and he was able to resume throwing just one day after being placed on the 10-day injured list with back stiffness. The southpaw didn't sound too concerned about the injury after throwing and said that he hopes to return shortly after spending the minimum of 10 days on the injured list.

DeGrom fired five scoreless innings in Friday's win over Atlanta but didn't factor into the decision. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out eight.

DeGrom's health was a question heading into Opening Day as he dealt with back tightness over the end of camp, but he was in fine form Friday. The back-to-back NL Cy Young Award winner threw 72 pitches but was unable to get much run support, a problem that's plagued him over the past few seasons. The 32-year-old's next start should come Wednesday against the Red Sox.

Kershaw (back) underwent an MRI on Friday that came back clean, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Kershaw was placed on the 10-day injured list with back stiffness Thursday after suffering the injury in the weight room Tuesday, but he appears to have avoided a major issue. The southpaw continues to receive treatment, but no timetable has been set for his return. Dustin May should serve in the starting rotation while Kershaw is sidelined.

Anderson will serve as the Giants' opener Friday against the Dodgers, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Jeff Samardzija was expected to get the start in Friday's contest, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Anderson will start with Samardzija serving as the primary pitcher. Anderson underwent knee surgery last June, but the delayed start to the season allowed him to fully recover for the 2020 campaign. The southpaw struggled with the Rockies prior to his injury in 2019, logging an 11.76 ERA and 2.13 WHIP over 20.2 innings across five starts.

Eflin (back) will start Tuesday against the Yankees, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Back spasms popped up for Eflin in mid-July and put his readiness for the start of the season at some risk, though he was never shut down from throwing and has evidently continued to progress well. He threw 60 pitches in his final preseason tune-up, so he's likely to wind up throwing no more than 75 or 80 in his season debut.

Irvin was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday and will be part of the Phillies' Opening Day roster.

Irvin started three games for the Phillies last year and was almost exclusively a starter in the minors, but he's likely to fill a bullpen role in Philadelphia this year. That role is unlikely to be a particularly significant one, as he struggled to a 5.83 ERA in his 41.2-inning debut in 2019.