MLB Player News

Irvin did not factor into the decision Friday against Oakland, allowing one run on one hit and two walks over six innings. He struck out five.

Irvin had one of the finest outings of his young career Friday night with the only blemish being a solo home run yielded to Lawrence Butler. The 27-year-old has looked like a reliable starter for the Nationals as he sports a 4.24 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB over his first 17 innings. However, Irvin draws a much more difficult opponent in his next start, currently scheduled against the Dodgers on the road.

Blackburn did not factor into the decision Friday against the Nationals, pitching 6.1 scoreless innings while allowing five hits and two walks. He struck out four.

Blackburn has now has thrown 19.1 consecutive innings without allowing a run over his first three starts. The 30-year-old right-hander's 0.00 ERA has come along with a 0.72 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB. Blackburn's next start is scheduled to come against the Cardinals at home.

Pfaadt did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings while striking out four in a loss to St. Louis.

The Cardinals jumped on Pfaadt quickly, highlighted by Nolan Arenado's three-run shot in the first inning. After they scored another run in the second, Lars Nootbaar went deep in the third. Pfaadt has been crushed for 11 runs over his last two starts, spiking his season ERA to 6.48 with a 17:3 K:BB through 16.2 frames. He's currently lined up to face the Cubs at home next week.

Matz yielded four runs (one earned) on eight hits over 4.2 innings during a no-decision against Arizona on Friday. He struck out two.

Matz repeatedly worked around potential danger through four shutout frames before Arizona woke up and scored six runs in the fifth inning, with four going on Matz's line. Fortunately for him, only one run was earned due to his own throwing error. Matz had allowed just two runs through 10.1 innings before Friday's start, which was his shortest outing of the year. The veteran southpaw is sporting a 1.80 ERA with an 8:3 K:BB over 15 frames. Matz is projected to start in Oakland next week.

France (0-2) allowed eight runs on eight hits and four walks over four innings Friday, striking out three and taking a loss against Texas.

France gave up one run through two innings before he was lit up for six runs in the third. Most of the damage that frame came via Jonah Heim's three-run blast. In each of his first two starts of 2024, France had yielded exactly three runs over 5.2 innings. Now, he owns a brutal 8.22 ERA with a 12:7 K:BB across 15.1 innings. France is currently in line for a tough home matchup with Atlanta next week.

Dunning (2-1) yielded three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings Friday, striking out three and earning a win over Houston.

Dunning served up a homer to Kyle Tucker in the first inning and Houston scratched two more runs across in the fourth. Dunning wasn't very efficient Friday, throwing just 46 of 80 pitches for strikes with only five whiffs. It was his lowest pitch total of the year but Texas was up 12-3 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. The 29-year-old righty has allowed exactly three runs in each of his first three starts this season. Dunning is lined up to take the mound in Detroit next week.

Flexen (0-3) yielded six runs on seven hits and a walk over 2.2 innings Friday, striking out two and taking a loss against the Reds.

Flexen gave up just one run through the first two frames before the Reds tagged him with five in the third inning. His day was ended after serving up back-to-back home runs to Elly De La Cruz and Tyler Stephenson. Flexen's ERA jumped to 8.78 with a lackluster 7:6 K:BB through three starts. He's projected to face the Royals at home next week.

Abbott (1-1) allowed a run on four hits over seven innings Friday, striking out three and earning a win over the White Sox.

Abbott coughed up a run in the third inning but otherwise had no trouble working through the White Sox. Friday's outing was his longest of the season to date and he dropped his ERA to 2.60 through 17.1 frames. He tossed 67 of 103 pitches for strikes, though just eight of those strikes were swings-and-misses. Abbott is currently lined up to face the Angels at home next week.

Francis will be available out of the bullpen Saturday against the Rockies, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Francis was originally listed as Toronto's starter for Saturday's contest, but the Jays will instead promote Yariel Rodriguez from Triple-A Buffalo to make his MLB debut. It's unclear whether or not Francis' move to the bullpen will be permanent, but after surrendering 12 earned runs through 8.1 innings across his first two starts, he may return to a multi-inning relief role if Rodriguez proves to be an effective big-league starter.

Feltner (1-1) earned the win Friday against the Blue Jays, allowing two runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

Feltner allowed a run in each of the first two innings before settling in and holding Toronto scoreless over his final three frames as the Rockies erupted for 12 runs in a comfortable win. Feltner's gotten off to a nice start this year, posting a 3.38 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB through his first three outings (16 innings). However, the 27-year-old righty isn't likely to warrant fantasy consideration while pitching half the time at Coors Field -- Feltner struggled to a 5.82 ERA in 10 starts last season.