MLB Player News

Gore (2-1) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk over four innings as the Nationals were downed 5-3 by the Astros. He struck out four.

The southpaw needed 92 pitches (64 strikes) to record his 12 outs, and all the damage off Gore came in the second inning when Houston led off the frame with back-to-back-to-back doubles. It was Gore's shortest outing so far in 2024, and he'll take a 3.60 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 27:6 K:BB through 20 innings into his next start, which lines up for a tough home tilt against the Dodgers next week.

Verlander (1-0) picked up the win in Friday's 4-2 victory over the Nationals, allowing two runs on four hits over six innings. He struck out four without walking a batter.

The 41-year-old right-hander didn't look like a pitcher who had missed the first three-plus weeks of the season on the IL due to shoulder trouble. Verlander fired 50 of 78 pitches for strikes, and his two fastest pitches of the night - 95.0 and 94.9 mph four-seamers to Jesse Winker - came against the final batter he faced. The Astros will likely keep a careful eye on his workload, but Verlander looks ready to step into his usual role at the top of the rotation. He lines up to make his next trip to the mound next week on the road against the Cubs.

Priester (0-1) took the loss Friday, giving up five runs (four earned) on seven hits - including three home runs - and a walk over 4.1 innings as the Pirates were routed 8-1 by the Red Sox. He struck out two.

It's never a good sign for a pitcher when they have more homers allowed than strikeouts, and the first long ball he served up -- a solo shot by Wilyer Abreu in the first inning -- actually left PNC Park completely. Priester was making his 2024 debut for Pittsburgh on Friday, and after tossing 53 of 86 pitches for strikes, he could be headed back to Triple-A Indianapolis. If the 23-year-old righty sticks around, his next start will likely come at home next week against the Brewers.

Bello (3-1) picked up the win Friday, scattering one hit and two walks over six scoreless innings in an 8-1 rout of the Pirates. He struck out seven.

Bryan Reynolds made it to third base in the first inning after a walk and an error by Ceddanne Rafaela, but he was the only Pittsburgh runner to get past second against Bello. The right-hander retired the final 11 batters he faced in a dominant outing as he recorded his first quality start of 2024. He'll take a 3.04 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 26:7 K:BB through 26.2 innings into his next start, which lines up to come in Cleveland next week.

Kremer (0-2) took the loss Friday against Kansas City, allowing three earned runs on two hits and three walks while striking out three batters across 5.2 frames.

Kremer held Baltimore off the scoreboard until Vinnie Pasquantino took him deep during the fourth inning. The score was still 1-0 when Kremer left the game in the sixth with two runners on base - both of whom came around to score - and a failed late rally by the Orioles' offense forced the right-hander to take his second loss of the young season. His performance Friday was certainly better than his previous outing against Milwaukee, and he's lined up for another chance to pick up his first win Wednesday against the Angels.

Marsh (3-0) threw 5.2 scoreless innings and earned the win Friday against Baltimore, striking out six batters while giving up three hits and two walks.

Despite the Orioles boasting one of the most dynamic offenses in baseball, Marsh has silenced them twice this year by allowing just one earned run across 12.2 frames while striking out 11 batters and walking three. His other two starts versus the Mets and White Sox didn't go nearly as well, but he'll look to establish some consistency during his next start against Toronto next week.

Heaney allowed three earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out five batters over five innings during Friday's 8-3 loss to Atlanta. He did not factor into the decision.

Two home runs off the bat of Travis d'Arnaud helped Atlanta build a 3-1 lead headed into the sixth inning, but the Rangers managed to tie the game before Heaney was relieved in the bottom of the frame, ensuring he wouldn't get hit with his third loss of the season. While the 32-year-old lefty may have avoided dropping to 0-3, he still owns a 6.35 ERA through his first four starts and could be at risk of losing his spot in the rotation once Cody Bradford (back) returns from the injured list.

Sale (2-1) earned the win Friday versus Texas, surrendering three earned runs on five hits and a walk while striking out seven batters across seven innings.

Sale got off to a poor start Friday by allowing a leadoff home run to Marcus Semien, but he was able to pull it together quickly and keep the Rangers relatively quiet while Atlanta's offense gave him a nice lead to work with. The 35-year-old southpaw has now reached seven innings in back-to-back starts, though his ERA remains at 4.38 through 24.2 innings. He is lined up to make his next start Wednesday against the Marlins.

McKenzie (2-2) earned the win Friday against Oakland, allowing one earned run on three hits and three walks while striking out six batters across five innings.

It seemed McKenzie would be in for another rough outing once he surrendered a leadoff home run to Abraham Toro on just the third pitch of the game, but the 26-year-old right-hander was able to keep Oakland's bats quiet for five innings after that point. His six strikeouts were more than he had accumulated all season heading into Friday's contest, though he still holds an ugly 11:15 K:BB. McKenzie is tentatively scheduled to make his next start at home against Boston on Thursday.

Boyle (1-3) allowed seven earned runs on five hits and four walks while striking out three batters across six innings during Friday's 10-2 loss versus Cleveland.

Boyle was able to keep Cleveland's offense relatively quiet for the first four innings, allowing only a Tyler Freeman two-run home run in the second inning. However, he was lit up for another five runs in the fifth and the 24-year-old righty now owns a lofty 7.23 ERA and 1.71 WHIP across his first four starts, giving him very little fantasy appeal even in the deepest of leagues.