MLB Player News

Varland (1-1) earned the win against the Brewers on Tuesday, allowing one unearned run on two hits while striking out two across 1.1 innings.

Jeff Hoffman blew his save chance after giving up two runs in the ninth, and after loading the bases, Blue Jays manager John Schneider opted to turn things over to Varland, who promptly struck out Joey Ortiz in three pitches. Varland was brought back out for the 10th to protect the Jays' three-run lead, and he ended the game by punching out Gary Sanchez. Varland has yet to give up an earned run through 10.1 innings this season and is building off a strong 2025 campaign in which he posted a 2.97 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 23 holds and a 75:22 K:BB across 72.2 innings. The 28-year-old right-hander is clearly trusted to handle high-leverage situations, which makes him a candidate to see save opportunities if Hoffman is unable to snap out of his slow start to the season.

King (2-1) earned the win over Seattle on Tuesday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out five batters over six innings.

The only run King allowed came in the second inning. He didn't give up any extra-base hits and was able to overcome some wildness, as he threw a first-pitch strike to only 11 of the 25 batters he faced and notched just 49 strikes among his 85 total pitches. King has recorded a quality start and victory in each of his past two appearances, lowering his season ERA to 2.78 in the process. He's tentatively scheduled to next take the mound on the road against the Angels.

Gausman did not factor into Tuesday's extra-inning win against the Brewers. He allowed three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five across five innings.

All of the runs Gausman gave up came on a three-run homer from Jake Bauers in the third frame. However, the Blue Jays generated enough offense for Gausman to avoid the loss, with the veteran right-hander finishing his night with 15 whiffs while tallying 62 strikes on 97 pitches (63.9 percent). He is winless through four starts but has not yielded more than three earned runs in any of his outings this season, and his 31 strikeouts (across 22.1 innings) are tied with Jose Soriano for most in the American League this season. Gausman is slated to pitch this weekend on the road against the Diamondbacks.

Parker (1-0) picked up the win Tuesday against the Pirates, allowing two hits with no walks and five strikeouts across two scoreless innings.

After PJ Poulin and Miles Mikolas combined to surrender four runs on five hits and two walks with two home runs allowed across 4.1 innings, Parker was called on in relief after he was recalled from Triple-A earlier in the day Tuesday. It was an impressive season debut for the left-hander after he failed to make the big-league club out of spring training. With Mikolas continuing to get pummeled to the tune of an 11.49 ERA and six home runs allowed, Parker could be a candidate to replace the veteran in the Nationals' rotation moving forward.

Mikolas didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Pirates, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks with no strikeouts across 3.1 innings.

After starting each of his first three appearances this season, Mikolas worked behind opener PJ Poulin on Tuesday. Poulin went one inning, allowing a solo home run with one strikeout before giving way to Mikolas in the bottom of the second. Mikolas worked an efficient first two innings before the wheels came off a bit in the bottom of the fourth, as he walked the first two batters before a double and groundout turned into two runs. He later gave up a solo shot to Joey Bart and was pulled after 49 pitches. Mikolas has an ugly 11.49 ERA and 11:9 K:BB across 15.2 innings. He's surrendered a league-high 20 runs and six homers. It's fair to wonder how much longer Mikolas will remain part of Washington's rotation.

Nola didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Cubs, allowing three runs on eight hits and two walks with five strikeouts across five innings.

Nola dealt with a lot of traffic on the bases and was unable to hold onto an early 3-0 lead, as he gave up five hits and a couple of runs in the third inning before walking a pair ahead of a game-tying single in the fifth. No longer the top-of-the-rotation starter he once was as he closes in on his 33rd birthday and coming off a 6.01 ERA across 17 starts last season, Nola has logged a 4.03 ERA and 23:6 K:BB across 22.1 innings to begin the 2026 campaign. He's really struggled against left-handed hitters since the start of last season. Nola is in line to face the Cubs again in his next start Monday at Wrigley Field.

Schultz (0-1) took the loss against Tampa Bay on Tuesday, allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits and four walks while striking out four across 4.1 innings.

The 22-year-old Schultz dominated across three outings (two starts) with Triple-A Charlotte, prompting the White Sox to call him up Tuesday for his major-league debut. The nerves appeared to get to the young southpaw early, as he gave up three runs (two earned) in the first inning before yielding another run in the fourth, though he managed to retire five of the last six batters he faced. It wasn't the major-league debut Schultz was hoping for, but he should see a few more turns in the rotation, at least until Jonathan Cannon (hip) is cleared to return from the 15-day injured list. Schultz is lined up to start against the Athletics this weekend.

Rea (2-0) earned the win Tuesday against the Phillies, allowing three runs on four hits and no walks with five strikeouts across six innings.

Riley Martin served as the opener for the Cubs in this one, firing a hitless and scoreless first inning on six pitches before Rea took over on the mound in the bottom of the second. Rea doesn't have overpowering stuff but was able to keep the Philly offense off-balance with his seven-pitch mix across 87 total pitches. Once Matthew Boyd (biceps) returns, perhaps as early as next Monday, Rea projects to remain in the rotation for the Cubs over Javier Assad after Assad was blasted for nine runs on 11 hits over 4.1 innings in Monday's loss to the Phillies. Rea has a 3.63 ERA and 15:3 K:BB across 17.1 innings and is in line to start Sunday at home against the Mets.

Gray (2-1) took the loss Tuesday against the Twins, allowing five runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out one over four innings.

Gray couldn't replicate the success from his previous outing, when he tossed 6.1 scoreless innings, as Minnesota consistently squared him up from the start. The right-hander allowed at least one hit in every inning he worked, beginning with the leadoff batter in the first inning, who later came around to score. The trouble continued in the third when Byron Buxton took him deep, and the fourth inning unraveled with another homer followed by three straight singles that brought home an additional two runs. In his first season in Boston, Gray now owns a 4.43 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and an 11:4 K:BB across 20.1 innings and will look to limit the damage more efficiently in his next start, slated to come against Detroit.

McClanahan (1-1) was credited with the win against the White Sox on Tuesday, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and four walks while striking out four across five innings.

All of the runs McClanahan gave up came in the third inning on a three-run homer from Everson Pereira, though the former ended his outing strongly by retiring the final seven batters he faced. It was the first time this season that McClanahan completed the fifth inning, and he received enough run support from his teammates to come away with his first win of 2026. Through three starts, he has a 3.95 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 13:11 K:BB across 13.2 innings. McClanahan's next start is slated for this weekend on the road against the Pirates.