MLB Player News

Ashcraft (2-1) earned the win Sunday over the White Sox, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out eight.

After needing 99 pitches to complete 5.2 inning during his last start, Ashcraft needed 104 to complete 5.2 innings Sunday, though this performance was far more effective than his last outing that resulted in five runs allowed. The eight strikeouts were a season high for the righty, who earned his second win of the season. Through 17.1 innings, Ashcraft has accumulated 19 strikeouts against just four walks for a K/BB of 4.8, more than doubling last year's rate of 2.1 when he struck out 111 and walked 52 over 145.2 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to toe the rubber during a weekend set at home next week against the Angels.

Cortes yielded four runs on five hits and a walk over four-plus innings in a no-decision Sunday against Cleveland. He struck out six.

Most of the damage against Cortes on Sunday came via the long ball, as Jose Ramirez and Gabriel Arias both took him deep. The lefty was coming off eight scoreless innings his last time out, and Cortes still owns a respectable 4.50 ERA through four starts despite the hiccup Sunday. On the bright side, he forced a season-high 15 swinging strikes, including eight with the fastball. The 29-year-old's next outing is lined up to be at home against the Rays.

Manager Kevin Cash said Friday that Baz (oblique/elbow) is throwing two-inning live batting practice sessions and "feels good," MLB.com reports.

Baz has dealt with two minor oblique setbacks during his comeback from Tommy John surgery, with the first coming when he picked up a weight in the weight room in early March. He's throwing and continuing to check boxes in his return, but he has never thrown 100 innings in a season and still hasn't begun a rehab assignment, so fantasy managers should be cautious in their optimism. Baz probably won't be ready to return from the 15-day injured list until mid-to-late May, at the earliest.

Anderson (2-1) took the loss Sunday, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks over 4.1 innings against Boston. He struck out four.

Anderson was hit hard by the Red Sox, allowing three extra-base hits, including back-to-back solo home runs to Tyler O'Neill and Triston Casas in the first inning. Prior to Sunday's loss, Anderson had tossed 14.0 scoreless innings, an exceptional start after posting a 5.43 ERA in his first year with the Angels last season. Anderson is tentatively lined up for his next start Friday at Cincinnati.

Allen allowed four runs on six hits and two walks over 5.2 innings against the Yankees in a no-decision Sunday. He struck out four.

Allen worked through two scoreless frames before serving up a three-run tank to Aaron Judge in the third inning. Jose Trevino then tacked on a solo shot in the fourth. Allen gave up two home runs in his season debut but had turned in two straight starts without one before Sunday. He forced only seven whiffs, marking the third straight outing with a single-digit swinging strike total. Allen will carry a 5.06 ERA into his next outing, which is project to be against Oakland.

Bello (2-1) picked up the win Sunday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over 5.1 innings against the Angels. He struck out eight.

Bello nearly doubled his season strikeout total Sunday, punching out eight batters after entering the game with 11 total strikeouts through his first three starts. While he surrendered a solo home run to Brandon Drury in the second inning, Bello finished with two earned runs or less for the third time in 2024. The 25-year-old righty is tentatively slated to pitch Friday against the Pirates.

Freeland (0-3) was tagged with the loss after he pitched five innings, giving up four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking three batters in Sunday's 5-0 defeat to the Blue Jays.

Freeland ran into trouble early, giving up one run in the first inning and then two more in the third frame. The Blue Jays added one more run in the fifth inning before his day came to an end. The left-hander once again struggled to keep the opponent off the basepaths, allowing at least eight batters to reach for the fourth consecutive start to open the 2024 campaign. Freeland has yet to pitch into the sixth inning this season, something he'll look to accomplish in his next projected start Saturday at home versus the Mariners.

Wheeler (0-3) took the loss Sunday, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits and three walks across five innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out 10.

Despite Wheeler's winless record, he's been putting together a strong start to 2024. He's gotten just six combined runs of support from his offense and has notched double-digit K's twice in four starts. Wheeler held the Pirates to just one run through five innings Sunday but let three batters on to start the sixth and was pulled without registering an out in the frame after surrendering a grand slam to Jack Suwinski. He's tied for the second-most quality starts in MLB and boasts an impressive 11.3 K/9 over 24.0 innings. Wheeler's next start is tentatively lined up to come against the White Sox on Saturday.

Keller (2-1) earned the win Sunday, allowing two runs on eight hits and no walks over seven innings against Philadelphia. He struck out four.

Keller notched his second straight victory Sunday, allowing a pair of runs via a Trea Turner solo homer and an RBI single also hit by Turner. After giving up five runs in each of his first two starts, Keller has bounced back with a pair of quality starts, bringing his ERA down to 4.50 with 21 strikeouts across 24.0 innings. He's expected to make his next start during a three-game homestand against the Red Sox.

Berrios (3-0) earned the win after he pitched seven scoreless innings Sunday, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out seven batters in a 5-0 victory over Colorado.

Berrios was in full command Sunday, blanking the Rockies for his longest start of the year while also securing a new season-high seven punchouts. The right-hander also extended his streak of quality starts to four in a row to open the 2024 campaign. He now owns a sparkling 1.05 ERA and 0.97 WHIP with 21 strikeouts over 25.2 innings in four outings this season. Berrios is tentatively set to return to the mound Saturday on the road at San Diego.