MLB Player News

Williams (3-0) threw six innings of one-run ball to earn the win Thursday against the Cubs. He allowed four hits, walked one and struck out five.

Williams' third consecutive strong start has lowered his season ERA to a shiny 1.56 mark. His first two outings were against the Tigers and Reds, so Thursday's effort against the Cubs was his most impressive performance to date. Though his run prevention has been commendable, his peripherals suggest that he may be in line for some negative regression. Williams walked five batters in his start against the Tigers and allowed 10 hits in his next start against the Reds. The 25-year-old posted a solid yet uninspiring 4.07 ERA over 150.1 innings last season, so he may be worthy of a look in deeper leagues, though his pedestrian strikeout rate will ultimately cap his upside. He lines up to make his next start Tuesday against the Rockies.

Finnegan (biceps) will likely start Saturday against the Cardinals, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic Cincinnati reports.

The Reds had been listing Cody Reed as Saturday's probable starter, but manager Bryan Price said the team will likely turn to Finnegan instead. Finnegan struggled with his control during a rehab start with Triple-A Louisville on Monday, issuing five free passes in as many innings, but at least he successfully built up to 98 pitches. Finnegan was showing some encouraging signs late in 2016, but he missed nearly all of last season with a shoulder injury and most in mixed leagues will want to wait and see how he looks before investing.

Dunn struck out seven over five scoreless innings for High-A St. Lucie in Wednesday's win over Tampa, allowing two hits and three walks.

After struggling in his first taste of High-A last summer, Dunn has flipped the script to begin 2018, posting a 0.00 ERA and 14:3 K:BB in his first 10 innings. Given that he's already 22 years old, dominating at this level is more expected than surprising, so the Mets will likely move him up to Double-A in short order if he continues his current form. The 19th overall pick in the 2016 draft will need to show that his changeup can be a viable third pitch to project as a starter down the road, but if the organization does convert Dunn to relief, his mid-90s fastball and tight slider could land him in the big-league bullpen for the stretch run.

Wood (0-2) lasted just 3.2 innings Wednesday, giving up seven runs on seven hits with no walks and five strikeouts in a losing effort against the Athletics.

Wood was pushed back a day due to an illness, so that could have had something to do with his uncharacteristically poor outing. A big part of the southpaw's effectiveness is his ability to keep the ball on the ground (2.3 GB/FB ratio last season), something he was unable to do against the Athletics in this one (1.0 GB/FB ratio). On the bright side, Wood has yet to issue a walk while maintaining a solid strikeout rate (7.6 K/9). Owners shouldn't panic, as the 27-year-old looked strong in his previous two outings, and he gets the Padres in pitcher-friendly Petco Park on Tuesday for his next scheduled start.

Castillo allowed three runs on five hits with four strikeouts through six innings but took a no-decision Wednesday against the Phillies.

This was Castillo's best start of the young season, the first start in which he both lasted into the sixth inning and allowed fewer than four runs. He drew 10 swinging strikes in 89 pitches, and most importantly, after allowing four walks in his first 10 innings, Castillo didn't walk a single batter Wednesday. He still sits at 0-2 with a brutal 7.31 ERA, but progress is progress.

Ray allowed three runs on five hits and three walks with six strikeouts over 4.2 innings in a no-decision Wednesday against the Giants.

With just one more out, Ray would have qualified for a victory, but he needed 100 pitches (just 60 strikes) to get through 14 outs. Ray induced a solid 12 swinging strikes, but he made just 13 first-pitch strikes to 22 batters and was too wild and inefficient to close the deal. Despite a 2-0 record, Ray's ERA sits at 5.74.

Marquez threw three scoreless innings but was ejected after a benches-clearing brawl and was left with a no-decision Wednesday against the Rockies.

Marquez got involved in the fracas after Luis Perdomo nearly hit Nolan Arenado with a pitch and threw a towel. It doesn't sound like something that would warrant a suspension, but expect some kind of disciplinary review after any sort of large-scale brawl like this. Marquez was pitching excellently until that point, as he struck out four and had allowed just one hit on 39 pitches through the three frames.

Wheeler (1-0) picked up the win against the Marlins on Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits and a walk while striking out seven.

The right-hander gave up a solo home run to Miguel Rojas in the first inning but settled down after that, throwing 56 of 83 pitches for strikes and retiring the final 16 batters he faced. Wheeler isn't guaranteed another turn in the Mets' rotation, as Jason Vargas (hand) is set to throw 85 pitches in a simulated game Thursday, but if he does make another start it would come Tuesday at home against the Nats.

Wood (illness) has been confirmed as the starter for Wednesday's game against the A's, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

The Dodgers were forced to push Wood back from Tuesday due to an illness. He will oppose Daniel Mengden in his third start of the season and will look to build upon the stellar numbers he's turned in so far (1.93 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, 10:0 K:BB in 14 innings). Wood is experimenting with pitching exclusively out of the stretch this season as he looks to simplify his mechanics.

The Pirates still have no timetable for when Musgrove (shoulder) might begin throwing off a mound, Rob Biertempfel of the Athletic Pittsburgh reports.

Musgrove's injury is related to the one which forced him to the DL for a short stint in 2017. Given the team's caution with the right-hander, it would be surprising to see him return to action before May. Pittsburgh still intends to deploy him as a starter, but there's a chance he could slide into a relief role, where his arm would see less stress.