MLB Player News

Heaney (0-2) yielded six runs on four hits and three walks over 3.2 innings Monday, striking out two and taking a loss against Houston.

Heaney struggled immediately Monday, coughing up four runs in the first two frames. Despite only getting two punchouts, he managed to force 10 whiffs in the short start. He's thrown just 8.1 innings with a 7.56 ERA and a 9:3 K:BB through two appearances. Heaney is projected for a rematch in Houston this weekend.

Cortes (1-1) picked up the victory Monday against the Marlins, allowing two hits over eight scoreless innings. He struck out six.

After both teams failed to plate a run through three innings the Yankees provided Cortes with a six spot in the fourth, which was more than enough run production for the 29-year-old lefty. Cortes allowed seven runs over 10 innings through his first two starts of the season but was at the top of his game in his first home start, tossing 70 of his 102 pitches for strikes while allowing only two Marlins to reach base through eight scoreless innings. Cortes will look to use this outing as a springboard into his next start for the 9-2 Yankees, currently slated to take place over the weekend in Cleveland against the equally hot Guardians.

Mikolas yielded two runs on six hits and two walks over 6.2 innings during a no-decision Monday. He struck out three during the loss against the Phillies.

Mikolas rolled through four shutout frames before the Phillies put a pair of runs on the board in the fifth inning. It was his second straight quality start after getting tagged with five runs in his season debut. He now owns a 4.76 ERA with a lackluster 12:5 K:BB through 17 innings. Mikolas is lined up to start in Arizona this weekend.

Turnbull did not factor in the decision during Monday's win against St. Louis. He allowed two hits and a walk over six shutout frames while recording six strikeouts.

Turnbull faced a first-and-third situation in the second inning but otherwise didn't find himself in much trouble Monday. He's up to 11 consecutive scoreless frames to open the 2024 campaign. The veteran righty has produced an impressive 13:1 K:BB during that span. Turnbull forced 12 swinging strikes Monday, including six with the sweeper. He's expected to face the Pirates at home this weekend.

Ashcraft (1-1) earned the win Monday, allowing five earned runs, nine hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against the Brewers. He struck out six.

Ashcraft labored through 5.2 innings and 99 pitches, leaving a high-scoring game in Cincinnati with the lead. Although he was roughed up for five earned runs and nine hits, the 26-year-old right-hander managed to generate 16 whiffs on his three-pitch mix. Ashcraft draws a much easier opponent in his next start, slated to be on the road against the White Sox.

Ashby (0-1) took the loss Monday, allowing eight runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks over 3.2 innings against the Reds. He struck out two.

Ashby faced a tough test Monday night against the Reds on the road for his first major-league appearance since October 2022. The 25-year-old left-hander also worked with a significantly diminished pitch arsenal compared to 2022, as his sinker averaged only 93.6 mph, down 2.1 mph. Ashby should continue to occupy a place in the Brewers rotation until Jakob Junis (shoulder) is healthy. He is scheduled to make his next start on the road against the Orioles.

Keller (1-1) earned the win Monday, allowing two runs, five hits and three walks over six innings against the Tigers. He struck out nine.

After allowing four runs in each of his first two outings, Keller looked like a frontline starter Monday against the Detroit, scattering two runs while allowing eight baserunners. He generated an impressive 13 whiffs, including nine alone on his sinker, while racking up nine strikeouts. Keller scheduled to make his next start against the Phillies on the road.

Olson (0-1) took the loss Monday, allowing six runs on nine hits and three walks over 4.1 innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out three.

After opening the season with 5.2 shutout innings against the Mets, Olson looked significantly less sharp Monday against the Pirates, allowing a career-high nine hits. Most disappointingly, the 24-year-old tallied only three strikeouts for his second straight outing, well below his 8.9 K/9 in 103.2 innings last year. Olson is slated to make his next start at home against the Twins.

McKenzie (1-1) earned the victory against the White Sox on Monday, allowing no runs on three hits and four walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out two.

It was not the cleanest outing for McKenzie, who allowed seven baserunners, including four free passes, but he was able to keep the hapless White Sox lineup in check to earn his first win of the season. However, after making only four starts last season due to lingering shoulder and elbow issues, a scoreless, healthy outing can't be considered anything but a plus for the talented right-hander, who will be looking to top 120 innings for just the second time in his five-year career. He's tentatively slated to make his next start at home during next weekend's series against the Yankees.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Monday that Verlander (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday and will have another minor-league rehab start on the weekend, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

It's unclear which affiliate Verlander will start for, but the veteran right-hander appears to be progressing through his rehab well. He allowed seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and a walk over three innings in Sunday's outing with Triple-A Sugar Land, but he also struck out six batters.