MLB Player News

Varland (0-3) allowed six runs (four earned) on 11 hits over five innings to take the loss Monday against the Orioles. He struck out six.

Varland's five-inning effort did not include a clean inning and included three separate innings in which he allowed two runs, though neither of the runs scored in the first inning were earned. Varland has failed to make it past five innings in any start this year, earning the loss in all three, with Monday's 11 hits allowed representing a career high. Varland won a job in the Twins rotation after having allowed zero runs in the spring but has allowed 13 earned runs over 14 innings thus far for an ERA of 8.36 with a 2.07 WHIP. He'll look to turn things around in his next start, tentatively slated to take place over the weekend in Detroit against the Tigers.

Ross (1-1) yielded seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and two walks over 4.2 innings Monday, striking out four and taking a loss against the Padres.

Ross worked through three shutout frames before the Padres got on the board in the fourth inning. Things unraveled in the fifth when San Diego plated six runs. He's allowed just two runs over 10 innings this season before Monday's rough outing. Ross saw his ERA jump to 4.91 alongside a 14:8 K:BB. Ross is projected to take the mound in St. Louis this weekend.

Irvin did not factor into the decision during Monday's win over Minnesota, allowing two runs on six hits over 4.2 innings. He struck out four.

Irvin was sent out for the fifth inning with a chance to put himself in position for the win but was lifted in favor of Dillon Tate following a two-out single by Manuel Margot. Irvin had been held to roughly 80 pitches in each of his first two starts and the same held true Monday as he was pulled after 82. Irvin had allowed nine runs and walked five in his first two starts, so holding the Twins to just a pair of runs with zero walks was a step in the right direction. His next scheduled start is tentatively slated for a weekend matchup in Kansas City against the Royals.

Musgrove (2-2) allowed three runs on seven hits and four walks over six innings Monday, striking out three and earning a win over the Brewers.

Musgrove produced a fairly lackluster line, but it was his second quality start of the year. He coughed up all three runs in the first two innings before settling in for a decent outing. The 31-year-old righty still hasn't found a groove in 2024; Musgrove is sporting a 6.29 ERA with a 20:11 K:BB through 24.1 frames. He forced just six swinging strikes Monday, tying his lowest mark of the year. Musgrove is currently in line to face the Blue Jays at home this weekend.

Lugo (3-0) earned the win Monday, allowing no runs, four hits and one walk over seven innings against the White Sox. He struck out four.

Lugo looked to be in complete control against a weak White Sox lineup as he scattered four singles and issued only one walk Monday night. The 34-year-old right-hander has been splendid to start the year, posting a 1.05 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB over his first 25.2 innings. Lugo is currently scheduled to make his next start against Baltimore at home.

Nastrini (0-1) was the pitcher of record in Monday's 2-0 loss to the Royals, striking out five while allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks over five innings.

Nastrini held his own against a division rival in his MLB debut, flashing a fastball that averaged 93.6 miles per hour and topped out at 95.2 mph. The 24-year-old rookie generated 11 whiffs en route to his five strikeouts. If Nastrini sticks in the White Sox rotation, his next scheduled start would likely fall during next week's series in Minnesota.

Bassitt (2-2) earned the win Monday, allowing one run, four hits and two walks over 6.1 innings against the Yankees. He struck out five.

Bassitt cruised to his second win Monday night, relying on an eight-pitch mix to keep Yankees hitters off-balance all evening. The only blemish of the night came in the second inning when Oswaldo Cabrera knocked an RBI-single through the infield. Bassitt is lined up to pitch against the Padres on the road in his next start.

Gil (0-1) took the loss Monday against the Blue Jays, allowing three runs on three hits and seven walks over five innings. He struck out six.

Gil struggled to find the strike zone Monday night in Toronto, walking seven batters, equaling a career-high previously set on Sept. 8, 2021, also against the Blue Jays. However, the 25-year-old still flashed his strikeout prowess, punching out six batters and generating 16 whiffs. Gil looks to bounce back in his next start, scheduled against the Rays at home.

Scherzer (back) threw 25 pitches of live batting practice Monday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Initial evaluations pegged Scherzer to return in June, but the pitcher says he's now eying an early May return. "We're not ready to say a date, but we're looking at early May in being able to come back," Scherzer said. The next step is throwing 40 pitches Friday, and a first rehab start could come as early as next week.

Olson (0-2) allowed just one run on six hits across 6.1 innings but took the loss Monday against the Rangers. He walked one and struck out eight.

Olson was sharp but Michael Lorenzen and three Texas relievers were better, blanking the Tigers for a 1-0 victory. For Olson, it was at least a step in the right direction after allowing six runs over 4.1 innings in his last start. Outside of that rough outing, the righty has allowed just one earned run across 12 innings this season, giving him a solid 3.86 ERA overall. He had a 3.99 ERA over 103.2 innings as a rookie last year, so he may be able to sustain his current form. Olson will look to carry some momentum into his next scheduled start, which is penciled in for Saturday against the Twins.