MLB Player News

Phillips (1-0-) threw two scoreless innings against the Red Sox on Saturday, picking up the win when the Reds walked it off in the 11th inning. He struck out three without allowing a hit or a walk.

Phillips played an increasingly important role in the Reds bullpen when they pushed to win a wild-card spot last season. He's unlikely to displace Emilio Pagan, Tony Santillan or even Graham Ashcraft in the bullpen pecking order for the Reds, but he could serve as a nice pivot whenever one or more of them is unavailable.

Mikolas (0-1) took the loss Saturday, coughing up six runs (four earned) on six hits and three walks over five innings in a 10-2 loss to the Cubs. He struck out four.

The veteran right-hander was brought in to soak up innings for a rebuilding Nationals rotation, so he took his lumps over 97 pitches (57 strikes) even after Chicago posted a four-spot in the second inning. Mikolas didn't have an ERA lower than 4.78 in any of the last three seasons while pitching for St. Louis, and that doesn't look like it'll change with Washington. Things won't get any easier for Mikolas in his next scheduled start, which is expected to come at home next weekend against the Dodgers.

Priester (wrist) threw a pain-free bullpen session Saturday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Priester is expected to miss the first month of the season due to symptoms related to thoracic outlet syndrome, but the fact that he's able to throw off a mound without any discomfort is a positive sign. He's scheduled for one more bullpen session within the next few days before reporting to the Brewers' complex in Arizona to begin facing hitters.

Lodolo (finger) will throw a bullpen session Sunday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Lodolo landed on the injured list ahead of Opening Day due to a blister on his left index finger, and after starting to play catch Tuesday, he's now been cleared to resume mound work. If all goes well Sunday, the 28-year-old could make a rehab start in the minors Wednesday.

Sale (1-0) picked up the win in Friday's 6-0 shutout of the Royals, giving up three hits and three walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out six.

The veteran southpaw was dominant to kick off the 2026 campaign, firing 54 of 88 pitches for strikes while not allowing an extra-base hit. Sale has yet to make 30 starts in a season for Atlanta, taking the mound 50 total times in his two years with the club, but the results when he's been available have been generally outstanding -- he's delivered a 2.46 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 390:71 K:BB in 303.1 innings. Sale will look to keep rolling at home against the A's next week in his next scheduled start.

Alcantara (1-0) allowed an unearned run on four hits and two walks over seven innings in Friday's 2-1 win over Colorado. He struck out five.

The veteran right-hander didn't give up an extra-base hit in an impressive effort to begin the season, firing 49 of 73 pitches for strikes. Alcantara struggled early last season in his return from Tommy John surgery, but he seemed to turn a corner in August, posting a 2.68 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 52:10 K:BB over his final eight starts and 53.2 innings in 2025. He seems to have carried that form into 2026, and his next outing lines up to be a clash with the White Sox at home next week.

Freeland (0-1) took the loss Friday as the Rockies fell 2-1 to the Marlins, giving up two runs on five hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out two.

The veteran southpaw limited the damage against him, but Freeland needed 81 pitches (53 strikes) to record 13 outs before getting lifted. Freeland's been a fairly reliable innings eater for Colorado, averaging 27 starts and about 145.1 innings over the last five seasons, but his 4.82 ERA and 1.43 WHIP during that time aren't just a product of calling Coors Field home. He lines up to make his next start on the road next week against the Blue Jays.

Nelson allowed four runs on two hits and three walks while striking out four over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Friday.

Alex Freeland tagged Nelson for a solo home run and Mookie Betts added a three-run blast. Nelson threw 50 of 83 pitches for strikes in his season debut after working to a 3.18 ERA and 23:2 K:BB across 17 innings over five starts in spring training. He was a pleasant surprise in 2025 with a 3.39 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 132:41 K:BB over 154 innings across 33 appearances (23 starts) during the regular season. Nelson looks to be set as a full-time starter in 2026 and could eat his fair share of innings, but he doesn't have a lot of strikeout potential after posting a 7.7 K/9 last year. He is projected to make a home start versus Atlanta next week.

Sheehan allowed four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six over 3.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Sheehan's season debut wasn't great, as Arizona was able to work his pitch count up early. He gave up an RBI double to Alek Thomas in the second inning and a solo home run to Ketel Marte in the third. Sheehan was pulled in the fourth when Thomas was set to come back up to the plate, but reliever Jack Dreyer gave up a two-run double to tack on more runs to Sheehan's line. Sheehan had some troubles in the spring with an 11:6 K:BB across 10.2 innings while pitching to a 5.91 ERA, but he was able to earn a rotation spot anyway. The right-hander is likely on a short leash, though he may stick as a starter if the Dodgers go to a six-man rotation at some point. Sheehan will look to rebound in his next projected start, which is tentatively lined up to be on the road versus the Nationals next week.

King allowed one unearned run on one hit and four walks while striking out six over five-plus innings in a no-decision versus the Tigers on Friday.

King pitched fairly well despite throwing a modest 46 of 82 pitches for strikes in his season debut. The 30-year-old had some trouble with free passes, which is a carryover from spring training, when he walked seven batters over 17.2 innings while pitching to a 10.19 ERA. His control was fine last year with a 3.2 BB/9 over 73.1 innings across 15 regular-season starts, but he also had a 9.3 K/9 that was his worst since his 2021 campaign as a swingman with the Yankees. King battled shoulder and knee injuries late in 2025, but he looks healthy to start 2026. He is projected to make his second start of the campaign on the road in Boston.