MLB Player News

Soroka (2-0) earned the win Saturday against Atlanta after giving up one run on four hits and three walks while fanning three across five innings.

Soroka went five innings for a second straight start to begin the campaign, though he didn't showcase the strikeout stuff that saw him rack up 10 punchouts in his season debut. Through his first two starts with the Diamondbacks, the right-hander has allowed just one run while posting a 13:4 K:BB. Soroka lines up for a road matchup against the Phillies his next time out.

Matz (2-0) earned the win Saturday against the Twins after allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out eight over six innings.

Matz tossed 58 of his 97 pitches for strikes and looked far better than in his season-opening outing, when he allowed four runs on six hits across five frames in a win over the Cardinals. Matz has a 10:3 K:BB through his first two starts of the season, but a tougher test awaits for his next start, which is tentatively lined up for next weekend at home against the Yankees.

Perez will start Sunday's series finale against the Diamondbacks, Barrett Sallee of 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

This was expected, but manager Walt Weiss confirmed that Perez will indeed step into the Atlanta rotation, replacing Jose Suarez. The 35-year-old lefty saved the bullpen after Suarez struggled Tuesday against the Athletics, allowing just two hits and striking out three over 4.1 scoreless innings. Perez figures to make at least a couple starts while the team awaits the return of Spencer Strider (oblique).

Lowder (1-0) earned the win Saturday against the Rangers, allowing three hits and two walks with four strikeouts across six shutout innings.

It was Lowder's first major-league win since September of 2024, as he was limited to just five minor-league starts last season due to oblique and forearm issues. Lowder won a job in the Reds' rotation this spring, and the 24-year-old breezed through six shutout frames on 82 pitches. Through two starts this year, Lowder has a 1.64 ERA and 9:4 K:BB across 11 innings. He tentatively lines up to make his next start on the road versus the Marlins next week.

Morales (0-2) took the loss Saturday, coughing up five runs on eight hits and six walks over three-plus innings as the A's were routed 11-0 by the Astros. He failed to strike out a batter.

It was a disastrous outing for Morales, who managed only 38 strikes on 77 pitches before getting the hook after he walked the leadoff batter in the fourth inning. The right-hander may not be long for the rotation if he can't tighten up his control, and through two starts he carries a 12.27 ERA, 2.86 WHIP and 5:8 K:BB over 7.1 innings. His next start is scheduled to come on the road next weekend against the Mets.

Imai (1-0) picked up the win in Saturday's 11-0 rout of the A's, allowing three hits and three walks over 5.2 scoreless innings. He struck out nine.

After a bumpy MLB debut that saw him last just 2.2 frames, the 27-year-old righty looked much more comfortable in his second trip to the mound Saturday as he fired 58 of 94 pitches for strikes and came one out short of his first quality start for the Astros. Imai will take a 4.32 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB through his first 8.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next weekend in Seattle.

Early did not factor into the decision Saturday against the Padres, allowing two runs on three hits and four walks with four strikeouts across four innings.

Early labored through four innings, needing 88 pitches to do so, and struggled with his command. San Diego's sputtering offense was unable to do much with the baserunners, however, pushing across just two runs against Early. Through two starts, the left-hander owns a 2.89 ERA and 10:6 K:BB across 9.1 innings, and he's also thrown a pair of wild pitches. Early's next start will likely come next weekend in St. Louis.

Flaherty didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 11-6 win over the Cardinals, getting charged with five runs on three hits and four walks over four-plus innings. He struck out six.

Facing the team he made his big-league debut with in 2017, Flaherty was cruising with a 7-1 lead heading into the fifth inning, but he put the first four batters of the frame on base before getting the hook after 86 pitches (47 strikes). Jordan Walker then greeted reliever Drew Anderson with a grand slam, tacking three more runs onto Flaherty's ledger. The veteran right-hander has fallen short of lasting five innings in both his starts to begin the year, posting a 7.56 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 8:8 K:BB through 8.1 innings. He'll try to find some consistency in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Minnesota.

Butto will miss the next 2-4 months after undergoing surgery Saturday to remove a blood clot from his right arm, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Butto was diagnosed with a blood clot after leaving his appearance Wednesday against San Diego with arm fatigue. The recovery timeline leaves room for him to return to the Giants' bullpen before the end of the season, though that likely won't happen until closer to or after the All-Star break.

Henderson will join the Brewers as the 27th man and start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Royals, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

After striking out five batters over three innings during his first outing at Triple-A Nashville, Henderson is now set to make his season debut in the big leagues. He showed plenty of promise last year while posting a 1.78 ERA and 0.99 WHIP alongside a 33:8 K:BB over 25.1 regular-season frames across his first five MLB starts, but he was never able to lock down a full-time spot in Milwaukee's rotation. Brandon Sproat is expected to take over on the mound once Henderson is removed, and the latter will most likely be returned to Nashville after the game.