MLB Player News

Williams (3-0) picked up the win Wednesday, shutting out the Rangers over five innings while allowing five hits and four walks. He struck out three.

Williams ran into trouble in the second and fifth innings, allowing the first three batters to reach base in both frames, but the right-hander was able to work his way out of each jam unscathed. He's now won his first three decisions to open the season and hasn't allowed more than one run in any of his last three starts. Williams did, however, issue a season-high four walks in Wednesday's win and now carries a 4:6 K:BB over his last two outings.

Freeland (elbow) will resume throwing in the first week of May, MLB.com reports.

Freeland has been shut down since mid-April, but manager Bud Black relayed that Freeland is responding well to treatment and will begin ramping up his activity. If things go smoothly in his recovery, he could return in late May.

Bradley (pectoral) will throw his second rehab outing with Triple-A Durham on Saturday or Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Bradley was sharp in his first rehab appearance and ramped up to 65 pitches while completing five scoreless innings of work. If he can increase his workload during his weekend start, it's possible that he could be activated from the injured list by mid-May.

The Pirates hope to have answers about Gonzales' (elbow) status "sooner rather than later," MLB.com reports.

There has been very little information available about Gonzales' status since he landed on the injured list April 14. He has consulted with Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who ordered Gonzales to undergo additional testing. It appears that the results of the imaging are still unknown, but that information should eventually provide a clearer timeline for Gonzales' return to the mound.

Butto (0-2) took the loss against the Cubs on Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out six batters over six innings.

Butto pitched well in the outing, notching his third quality start of the campaign and racking up 15 swinging strikes. However, he was outshined by impressive rookie Shota Imanaga, who had another dazzling performance with seven scoreless frames. Despite the loss, Wednesday's effort should continue to keep Butto's name on the minds of fantasy managers who are looking to improve their rotation. Though the right-hander doesn't have overpowering stuff, he's impressed so far this season, posting a 2.57 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 31:14 K:BB over 28 innings.

Jefferies (0-2) took the loss against the Red Sox on Wednesday, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three batters over 2.2 innings.

Jefferies was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to make what was initially expected to be a spot start. The Giants instead opted to open the game with lefty Erik Miller on the mound before handing the ball to Jefferies to begin the second inning. Jefferies got out of his first frame unscathed but gave up two runs in the third and two more in the fourth to put himself in line for the loss. The 28-year-old has yielded nine earned runs across 4.2 innings over his two outings this season, and it's not clear if he'll get additional big-league opportunities (either as a traditional starter or primary pitcher) while Blake Snell (thigh) remains on the injured list.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Buehler (elbow) will be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to start Monday's game against the Marlins in Los Angeles, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Monday will mark Buehler's first start on a big-league mound since he underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2022. He made six starts during his minor-league rehab assignment, posting a 4.15 ERA and 1.62 WHIP while striking out 21 batters and walking nine across 21.2 innings. Since he's nearly two years removed from his last big-league start, the 29-year-old right-hander could show a bit of rust in his first few outings as he gets used to facing MLB hitters again.

Crawford (2-1) earned the win over San Francisco on Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out six batters over seven innings.

Crawford took his first loss of the campaign his previous time out when he allowed season highs of four runs (three earned) and 10 hits against the Cubs. The right-hander got back on track with a strong outing Wednesday, notching his third quality start and second victory of the season. Crawford has been outstanding for the Red Sox early in the campaign, ranking fifth among qualified starters with a 1.56 ERA through 40.1 innings. He's added a 40:13 K:BB and 1.07 WHIP to emerge as one of the league's most pleasant surprises thus far.

Hudson (0-5) took the loss against Miami on Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two batters over 5.2 innings.

It was a bit of a tough-luck loss for Hudson, as he held the Marlins scoreless until they tagged him for two runs in the fifth inning. The right-hander returned to the mound for the sixth frame and was pulled with two men on base, falling one out shy of a quality start. Despite the loss, this was one of Hudson's better starts this season -- he came in having allowed at least three earned runs in four of his five outings. The veteran hurler is not an attractive fantasy target given his 5.93 ERA and 18:17 K:BB through 30.1 innings on the campaign.

Maldonado earned a save against the Rockies on Wednesday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

The Marlins went to Maldonado with a three-run ninth-inning lead, and the rookie delivered a perfect frame, needing just 13 pitches to set Colorado down in order. The rookie right-hander was used as a spot starter in his big-league debut last week and in middle relief Monday, and he's yet to give up a run through five innings, so manager Skip Schumaker appears comfortable deploying him in a variety of situations. Team closer Tanner Scott has struggled with his control this season, posting a 12:14 K:BB over 12.2 frames, and he was used in the eighth inning Wednesday, picking up a hold. Scott does have four saves in five chances, though, so there's probably no reason to believe that a changing of the guard for the team's closer role is imminent.