MLB Player News

Gausman averaged 91.4 mph with his fastball during Saturday's loss to the Yankees, but the veteran right-hander isn't concerned, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Gausman averaged 94.7 mph with his heater in 2023, but his velocity was also down significantly in an early April start last year in Kansas City, and it didn't end up being any kind of warning sign as he went on to post a 3.16 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 31.1 percent strikeout rate over 185 innings. "That's kind of the running joke, I'm 88 to 98," Gausman said after Saturday's game. "[Hitters] don't know what they're going to get. I don't know what I'm going to get, either. I think it was just cold weather more than anything. My first two innings, if you're going to get to me, that's when you're going to get to me. Unfortunately, that was obviously the case tonight." Gausman lines up to make his next start at home this weekend in a much more favorable matchup against the Rockies.

Verlander (shoulder) allowed seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and a walk over three innings in his first rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday.

It wasn't a pretty bottom line, although Verlander did strike out six batters and induced a solid 12 whiffs on his 65 pitches. The veteran right-hander averaged 93.5 mph with his four-seamer, which is nearly one full mph down from his average from last season. Verlander is expected to make one more rehab start later this week before rejoining the Astros' rotation as soon as April 17 versus Atlanta.

Garrett (shoulder) allowed two runs on three hits over 4.1 innings in his first rehab start with Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday.

Garrett struck out five, didn't walk anyone and averaged 90.6 mph with his sinker, which is right at his average from last season. The left-hander got his pitch count up to 66 and induced 11 swinging strikes. Garrett has been working his way back from a left shoulder impingement and will probably need at least one more rehab start before rejoining the Marlins' rotation.

Taillon (back) allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk over 2.2 innings in his first rehab start with Double-A Tennessee on Sunday.

Taillon struck out four and got his pitch count up to 52. From a results perspective, it's not the outing Taillon and the Cubs were looking for, but he'll get another rehab start or two to sharpen things up before rejoining the Cubs' rotation. Taillon didn't pitch at all during spring training due a strained back.

Crochet allowed two runs on three hits while striking out five over five innings Sunday against the Royals. He did not factor into the decision.

Crochet continued his excellent stretch to begin the season, generating 15 whiffs while not walking a batter for the second time in three starts. The lone damage against him came off a fifth-inning two-run homer off the bat of Hunter Renfroe. Crochet currently leads the majors with 21 strikeouts and 18 innings pitched. He's found something with his slider with seven of his 15 whiffs Sunday coming from that pitch. The 25-year-old lefty will look to keep things going in a home meeting with the Reds this upcoming week.

Marsh allowed three runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out three over 4.2 innings Sunday against the White Sox. He was not involved in the decision.

Marsh was clean through three before the White Sox eventually broke through with two runs in the fourth and another in the fifth, leading to Marsh's exit from the game. The 26-year-old managed just five swings and misses on 78 pitches and will look to have a better showing his next time out, which currently lines up against the Mets on the road.

Hancock (1-1) took a bad loss Sunday against the Brewers, allowing eight runs on 11 hits and a walk while striking out six over 3.1 innings.

One positive to note for Hancock was that his six strikeouts doubled his previous career-best, as he has just a 14 percent strikeout rate over five starts. Sunday was also easily the roughest outing of his career. Eight of the 14 balls put in play against him were hard hit, which included two home runs. The 25-year-old will stay in the rotation for now and lines up for a home start against the Cubs in the upcoming week.

Rea (2-0) got the win over the Mariners on Sunday, allowing two runs (one earned) on seven hits over six innings. He struck out three.

Rea was uncertain to even make his start Sunday after he was reported to have been battling a stomach virus the day prior but turned in another successful outing. He gave up runs in back-to-back frames to open up the game but was unbothered after the Brewers staked him a 6-2 lead by the third. Rea's stuff hasn't been flashy by any means, but he's been an important piece to this rotation that does not have much depth. Things won't get any easier for the 33-year-old who is projected to face the Orioles in Baltimore during the upcoming week.

Gibson (1-1) took the loss Sunday against the Marlins, allowing seven runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five over six innings.

The Marlins jumped all over Gibson in the first inning for six runs on five hits, which included two three-run homers off the bats of Jazz Chisholm and Nick Gordon. After a rough opening frame, Gibson was able to then settle in, allowing just two more hits the rest of the way. Gibson has been able to go at least six innings in both starts this season, though he's allowed nine runs on 11 hits (four home runs) in 13 innings. The 36-year-old will look to bounce back in a projected road start against the Diamondbacks this upcoming week.

Meyer (1-0) got the win over the Cardinals on Sunday after allowing just one run on three hits and a walk while striking out three over six innings.

Sunday was Meyer's first-career MLB win and quality start as he became the first Marlins starter to complete six innings so far this year. The 25-year-old retired the first 13 batters he faced before Nolan Gorman got to him in the fourth with a solo blast to center. Meyer's been extremely impressive in the early going and has possibly solidified himself a spot in the rotation even once the Marlins return some guys from injury. Meyer now has a 2.45 ERA and 0.73 WHIP over two starts and projects for a tough matchup against Atlanta coming up this week.