MLB Player News

Meyer (2-0) picked up the win against Atlanta on Saturday, allowing just one run on six hits over six innings. He recorded seven strikeouts.

Atlanta had its everyday lineup out there (minus the injured Sean Murphy) but wasn't able to muster much offense against the young right-hander. In addition to the seven strikeouts and zero walks, Meyer induced 23 swinging strikes on 91 pitches, which is tied for the highest total for any pitcher so far this season. The righty's fastball velocity was actually down 1.2 mph in this one, but he still got seven whiffs on it along with 12 whiffs on his nasty slider. The Marlins will get Edward Cabrera (shoulder) and Braxton Garrett (shoulder) back soon, and Meyer faces workload restrictions this season after he didn't pitch at all last year while recovering from Tommy John surgery. However, with a 2.12 ERA through his first three starts, it's difficult to see him losing his rotation spot anytime soon.

Sale (1-1) absorbed the loss Saturday in Miami, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks over seven innings. He notched seven strikeouts.

Sale was outdueled by youngster Max Meyer but still managed to go seven frames for the first time since May of last season. The five runs he permitted more than doubled his season total, and his three walks were more than he had on the year coming into the night. Sale's next outing is slated to come at home against the defending champion Rangers.

Criswell took a no-decision in Saturday's 7-2 win over the Angels, permitting two runs on five hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out four.

Taylor Ward's two-run blast in the third inning represented the lone damage off Criswell. He needed 83 pitches to cover his four frames, which kept him from going long enough to qualify for a victory. Criswell is slated to receive at least one more start while Nick Pivetta (elbow) recuperates, and it's currently lined up to be against the Guardians.

Canning (0-2) was dealt a loss Saturday in Boston, allowing seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and no walks over four innings. He struck out six.

Canning didn't issue a walk in addition to notching six strikeouts, but for the third straight start he didn't pitch deep into the game. He's going in the wrong direction in that regard, too, as the five innings he went in his first outing of the season remains his longest start. The home run ball has been an issue for Canning, who has served up five of them in 13.2 frames. He's tentatively lined up to face the Rays on the road his next time out.

Steele (hamstring) will throw a 25-pitch bullpen session Saturday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Steele will get back on the bump for the first time since he suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain on Opening Day. The Cubs anticipate Steele missing the rest of April, but he seems to be tracking toward a return from the 15-day injured list in early May.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that Taillon (back) will return from the 15-day injured list to make his next start in the majors, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Taillon covered 3.2 scoreless innings and threw 68 pitches in his final rehab start Friday with Triple-A Iowa. The Cubs haven't yet determined which day Taillon will pitch, but he could be activated from the IL as soon as Wednesday in Arizona.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Buehler (elbow/hand) is fine and will make his next rehab start Thursday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Buehler had to be removed from his last rehab start with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday after getting hit in the right hand by a comebacker. It will not keep him from taking his next turn, though, which will likely come with Triple-A Oklahoma City. It had been looking like Buehler's next rehab start would be his last before rejoining the Dodgers' rotation, but he might now be asked to make an additional appearance since his last one was abbreviated.

Boyle (1-2) suffered a tough-luck loss Saturday versus the Nationals. He yielded one run on five hits and one walk while striking out five in five innings of work.

Just one free pass from the big right-hander was an encouraging development after he surrendered seven of them across his first two outings. He nonetheless was dealt his second loss, as the Athletics offense was unable to do much against MacKenzie Gore and the Nationals bullpen. Boyle has 15 strikeouts over 12.2 frames this season, but unless he can string together multiple outings like this one where his control is adequate, the downside will likely continue to outweigh the upside.

Gore (2-0) collected a win Saturday in Oakland, tossing five shutout innings on four hits and one walk while striking out 11.

The feeble Athletics lineup had no chance against Gore in this one. All four hits they tallied were singles, and they never advanced past second base while the left-hander was in the game. Gore's 11 strikeouts tied a career high, and he picked up an impressive 20 swinging strikes on 90 pitches. With a 2.81 ERA and 23:5 K:BB over 16 innings, we could be looking at the beginning of a post-hype breakout season from the 25-year-old southpaw.

Alexander will serve as a bulk reliever for the Rays on Sunday against the Giants, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Shawn Armstrong will handle opener duties before handing things over to Alexander. The left-handed Alexander has had a rough go of it so far in his first season in Tampa Bay, permitting nine earned runs on 14 hits through 9.1 innings.