MLB Player News

Nola (0-1) took the loss Saturday as the Phillies fell 12-4 to Atlanta, coughing up seven runs on 12 hits and a walk over 4.1 innings. He struck out three.

Five of the hits off Nola went for extra bases, including homers by Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson. The 30-year-old right-hander threw 83 pitches (54 strikes) before exiting, and while it was far from an ideal start to the campaign, Nola has still been one of the most reliable pitchers in the game since emerging as a regular part of the Philadelphia rotation, striking out more than 200 batters in each of his last five full seasons. Nola will look to bounce back against a much less dangerous opponent next weekend on the road against the Nationals.

Fried recorded only two outs Saturday against the Phillies before being lifted, giving up three runs on two hits and three walks while striking out one. He came away with a no-decision.

The southpaw had a disastrous start to his 2024, throwing 23 of 43 pitches for strikes before getting the hook, but he avoided a loss after Atlanta hung seven runs on Aaron Nola in an eventual 12-4 win. Fried struggled with injuries last year but was effective when he was on the mound, posting a 2.55 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 25.7 percent strikeout rate over 77.2 innings, so while this performance was a little shocking, it did come against a tough opponent. He'll try to shake it off in his next start, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Diamondbacks.

Soroka didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Tigers, giving up four runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings. He failed to strike out a batter.

The right-hander threw 77 pitches (44 strikes) before exiting the mound with a 6-4 lead, but Soroka was far from dominant and generated only three swinging strikes. The White Sox eventually lost the game 7-6 in 10 innings. The fact that Soroka was able to give Chicago a solid turn through the rotation is something of a minor miracle in itself, considering the litany of injuries that derailed his career following his breakout 2019 season with Atlanta, and even in that campaign he posted only a 20.3 percent strikeout rate to support his 2.68 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. Soroka has a long way to go to prove he can regain that form, however.

Maeda didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the White Sox, surrendering six runs on seven hits -- including three home runs -- and a walk over 3.1 innings. He struck out two.

The Tigers eventually rallied to win the game 7-6 in 10 innings, but Maeda was long gone by then. The veteran right-hander tossed 46 of 71 pitches for strikes and generated only 15 called or swinging strikes, getting tagged for at least one run in every frame in which he worked. Much of the damage came on a pair of two-run homers by Luis Robert. Maeda served up 33 long balls in 210.2 innings over the prior two years for the Twins, leading to a 4.44 ERA, so issues keeping the ball in the park are nothing new for him. He should fare better in his second start of the season, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the A's.

Sears (0-1) was charged with loss Saturday versus Cleveland after he surrendered five runs on six hits and two walks across 3.2 innings. He struck out one.

The left-hander gave up two runs in the second inning and fell apart in the fourth, as the Guardians tallied three more runs on two singles, a double, a sacrifice fly and a hit-by-pitch before he was lifted. Sears generated nine swinging strikes and needed 83 pitches to record just 11 outs, with Cleveland fouling off 20 pitches. The 28-year-old was Oakland's most reliable rotation piece last season with a 4.54 ERA in 32 starts, and his fantasy utility will likely be limited in 2024 with wins at a premium, barring a significant improvement in his effectiveness.

Bibee gave up three earned runs on six hits and five walks over four innings during Saturday's 12-3 win over the Athletics. He struck out four and didn't factor in the decision.

Bibee threw just 50 of his 88 pitches for strikes as he failed to stick around long enough to qualify for the victory. It's a disappointing season debut for the right-hander after he posted a 2.98 ERA in 25 starts as a rookie last season, particularly since he was facing a poor offense in a pitcher's park. Bibee tentatively lines up to face the Twins next week in his second start.

Canning (0-1) took the loss Saturday in Baltimore after he surrendered five runs on seven hits and a walk over five-plus innings. He struck out two.

The right-hander allowed three runs through five innings and returned for the sixth in search of a quality start, but a single and a walk ended his day. Both baserunners came around to score as Baltimore rallied for six runs in the frame. Canning generated just eight swinging strikes on 96 pitches, with his two punchouts falling well below his 9.9 K/9 from 2023.

Rodriguez (1-0) struck out nine and earned the win Saturday against the Angels after he allowed one run on four hits and one walk over six innings.

The 24-year-old showcased his punchout stuff in his season debut with 15 swinging strikes on 84 pitches, and the only blemish against him was a fourth-inning solo shot off the bat of Taylor Ward. Rodriguez struggled to a 7.35 ERA during the first half of his rookie campaign last season but posted a 2.58 ERA after the All-Star break, and he's carried that form into 2024.

Lugo didn't factor in the decision during Saturday's 5-1 loss to the Twins. He allowed two hits and a walk across six scoreless innings and struck out four.

The 34-year-old induced 12 swinging strikes on 86 pitches and didn't allow a baserunner to reach third base, but the bullpen was unable to maintain a 1-0 advantage. Lugo joined the Royals on a two-year, $30 million contract during the offseason after he posted a 3.57 ERA in 26 starts for the Padres last year, and he pitched well in his first start against the reigning AL Central champs.

Ryan didn't factor in the decision during Saturday's 5-1 win over the Royals, allowing one run on three hits and one walk in 5.1 innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander held Kansas City off the board through five frames but was pulled after giving up a one-out double in the sixth, which the bullpen allowed to score. It was an encouraging start to the season for Ryan, whose 4.51 ERA last season was a step back from his 3.55 mark as a rookie in 2022. He tentatively lines up to pitch against the Guardians next weekend.