MLB Player News

Nelson (1-1) allowed one run on five hits while striking out five over 5.2 innings, earning the win in Wednesday's 7-2 victory over the Mets.

Nelson's first two starts of the season were marred by six walks and four home runs, uncharacteristic of the right-hander. There were no such issues the third time out. Nelson scattered two hits over five scoreless innings, before New York batters touched him for three singles and their lone run in the sixth. The bounce-back outing came at a good time for Nelson, as the Diamondbacks consider how best to incorporate Merrill Kelly (back) into the rotation. Kelly is scheduled for one more rehab start before being activated, meaning someone in the existing rotation will need to go. Based on the results thus far, the decision seemingly comes down to Nelson (4.20 ERA) and Brandon Pfaadt (6.75).

Sandoval (elbow) allowed three unearned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out three over 3.1 innings for Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Sandoval made his first appearance in a game that counts since June 2024. He was victimized by shaky defense, including his own, in the first inning, when all three runs scored. Results, however, were less important than the left-hander getting in the work. Sandoval threw 63 pitches (35 strikes) and got four up-and-downs. He's expected to make several outings while on rehab before the Red Sox decide where Sandoval best fits in with the pitching staff.

Ober (1-0) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out two over 5.2 innings to earn the win over the Tigers on Wednesday.

Ober came up an out short of a quality start, but this was still his best outing of the season. The 30-year-old had gone just four innings in each of his first two games. Ober threw 64 of 99 pitches for strikes Wednesday and limited the damage to the sixth inning. He has a 5.27 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 7:4 K:BB through 13.2 innings so far. Ober's lack of strikeouts is a concern, especially after he posted a career-worst 7.4 K/9 during the 2025 regular season. He's averaging just 89.1 mph on his four-seam fastball this year, down from 90.3 mph last year, so his strikeout numbers are unlikely to rebound if the velocity remains down. Ober is tentatively projected to make his next start at home versus the Red Sox.

Valdez (1-1) allowed eight runs on 10 hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out two over five-plus innings to take the loss versus the Twins on Wednesday.

Valdez gave up six runs in the first inning, and the Tigers weren't able to recover from that. He had posted quality starts in his first two outings this season, but he fell far short of that threshold Wednesday. Valdez now has a 4.76 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 12:5 K:BB through 17 innings over three starts. The veteran southpaw will want to bounce back in his next outing -- he allowed at least four runs in eight of his last 10 regular-season starts in 2025, so this poor outing could snowball. He is tentatively lined up for a home start versus Royals early next week.

Severino allowed two runs on four hits and five walks while striking out seven over five innings to take a no-decision Wednesday versus the Yankees.

It was another shaky performance for Severino, who has walked at least three batters in all three of his starts so far. He threw 54 of 100 pitches for strikes Wednesday and at least appears to be fully stretched out, but he'll need to improve his control to work as a true innings-eater at the head of the Athletics' rotation. Through 13.1 innings, he has a 5.40 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 17:13 K:BB. Severino has benefited from not allowing a home run yet, but he's put too much traffic on the basepaths to avoid trouble. His next start is projected to be at home versus the Rangers.

Boyle (0-1) took the loss versus the Cubs on Wednesday, allowing six runs (five earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out three over 4.1 innings.

Boyle was in trouble right from the start as Nico Hoerner led off the game with a home run. More trouble arose in the fifth inning, though Boyle was let down by his defense as the Cubs cobbled together a five-run rally before Jesse Scholtens came on for a long-relief assignment. This was the worst of Boyle's three outings so far this season, and he's now at a 5.17 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 16:6 K:BB through 15.2 innings. He's walked three batters in back-to-back starts, so he'll need to display better control to get the rest of his numbers to improve. Boyle is not certain to get another turn through the rotation, as team off days Thursday and Monday could allow the Rays to get by with a four-man rotation until Ryan Pepiot (hip) is ready to make his season debut.

Wheeler (shoulder) struck out six over 4.1 innings in his third rehab start Wednesday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, allowing one run on three hits and one walk.

The All-Star right-hander built up to 61 pitches Wednesday, although it was fairly discouraging to see his fastball velocity average 92.9 mph after it averaged 96.1 mph last year. It remains to be seen if Wheeler will be able to regain the form he displayed before last year's venous thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, but he'll make at least one more rehab appearance to try and tune up before the Phillies consider reinstating him from the injured list, per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.

Rea (1-0) allowed one run on two hits, two walks and a hit-by-pitch while striking out two over five innings to earn the win over the Rays on Wednesday.

Rea had worked in long relief for his first two outings of the season, allowing three runs on eight hits and a walk over 6.1 innings. The right-hander has started at least 22 games in three straight seasons, so it shouldn't take him long to adjust, though it's unclear if he'll be the Cubs' long-term solution at the back of the rotation. He threw 51 of 79 pitches for strikes in this outing. Rea doesn't have great strikeout rates in his career, though he has a 10:3 K:BB through 11.1 innings so far this season. Assuming he remains in the rotation for another turn, he's tentatively lined up for a tough road start versus the Phillies.

Detmers (0-1) took the loss Wednesday against Atlanta, allowing six runs (five earned) on five hits and two walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

Hard contact plagued the left-hander Wednesday, as four of his knocks allowed went for extra bases. Detmers was never quite able to settle in either, giving up at least one run in each of the first three frames before being chased from the outing at 92 pitches with one out in the fifth. Detmers' return to the rotation this year has yielded mixed results -- he holds a 4.60 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB over 15.2 innings -- and things won't get much easier with a tough matchup against the Yankees looming for his next start.

Thompson has not been assigned to a minor-league affiliate as he recovers from a hamstring strain, Sam Dykstra of MLB Pipeline reports.

He suffered the injury in spring training and should join High-A Wisconsin around the start of May. Thompson was a polished left-handed starter in the SEC, and there's a chance the Brewers might be able to improve his stuff with pro instruction.