MLB Player News

Blackburn didn't factor into the decision Sunday versus the Guardians, throwing seven scoreless innings on three hits and a walk. He struck out three.

Blackburn was excellent in his first start of the season, retiring his first 12 batters and giving up no extra-base hits. He got out of a jam in the fifth inning, getting Gabriel Arias to fly out with the bases loaded. Despite the impressive outing, Blackburn didn't get the win after the Athletics bullpen surrendered three runs on three hits, a hit-by-pitch and a fielding error in the eighth frame. Blackburn will have an opportunity to build on his scoreless debut with tentative matchups against the Tigers and Nationals scheduled for his next two starts.

France didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Yankees, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing three runs on six hits and one walk. He struck out five.

France came one out shy of notching a quality start in his 2024 debut and was pulled after retiring the first two batters he faced in the sixth at 94 pitches. While Sunday's performance was by no means a disappointment, the second-year big-leaguer will likely have to do more to stick in the Astros rotation once Justin Verlander (shoulder) and Jose Urquidy (forearm) are healthy. France's next start is tentatively scheduled to come during a road series against the Rangers.

Wicks pitched four innings, allowing five runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out six batters in Sunday's 9-5 win over the Rangers. He did not factor into the decision.

Wicks had a quite the mixed bag of a performance Sunday. On one hand, striking out six batters over four innings is impressive, but on the other hand, he also allowed eight batters to reach base. The defense behind Wicks committed two errors, so he had to work a little harder to make it through four frames. The left-hander is tentatively set to return to the mound Saturday for a tough matchup at home versus the Dodgers.

Schmidt didn't factor into the decision Sunday against Houston, going 5.1 innings and allowing three runs on seven hits and no walks. He struck out five.

Schmidt held the Astros in check Sunday, yielding merely two extra-base hits. The pair of knocks came via a Jose Altuve homer in the third and an RBI double by Kyle Tucker in the sixth that ended Schmidt's day. The 27-year-old is entering his second year as a full-time starter and should remain at the back end of the Yankees fivesome even after Gerrit Cole (elbow) comes off the 60-day IL. Schmidt is expected to take the mound next weekend during a homestand against Toronto.

Ober (0-1) picked up the loss after he pitched 1.1 innings, allowing eight runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out a batter, in Sunday's 11-0 defeat against the Royals.

Ober was off his game Sunday, allowing three homers to Kansas City, including a three-run shot by Salvador Perez in the first inning. The right-hander allowed two more homers to open the second frame, failing to make it out of the inning. Ober will try to hit the reset button before returning to the mound for his next projected start Sunday versus the Guardians.

Feltner (0-1) yielded five runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks over five innings Sunday, striking out four and taking a loss against Arizona.

Feltner struggled out of the gate Sunday, coughing up three runs in the first frame, including a two-run homer from Christian Walker. After following with three shutout innings, Feltner gave up two unearned runs in the fifth. The 27-year-old should have a spot in the rotation for now but shouldn't be trusted in most fantasy formats.

Falter did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing six runs on five hits and three walks over four innings against the Marlins. He struck out two.

Falter allowed five runs in the first inning, capped by a grand slam by Jazz Chisholm, but settled down thereafter in allowing just one more run through four innings and giving the Pirates an opportunity for the comeback win. Falter earned the starting role out of spring training, but with the likes of Luis Ortiz and Roansy Contreras nipping at his heels on the big-league roster, along with Quinn Priester and Paul Skenes at Triple-A, Falter will need far better outings than what he produced Sunday to remain in the rotation. His next start won't get any easier, as he's tentatively slated for a home matchup against the Orioles next weekend.

Pfaadt (1-0) yielded a run on five hits over five frames Sunday, striking out six and earning a win over the Rockies.

Pfaadt cruised through four shutout innings before the Rockies finally pushed a run home in the fifth. The 25-year-old righty had just six punchouts through 10.2 frames in Cactus League play but showed better strikeout stuff Sunday. While he threw 61 of 87 pitches for strikes, only eight of those were whiffs. Pfaadt is riding momentum from the 2023 postseason and will look to keep it rolling in his next outing, which is projected to be in Atlanta.

Jefferies left his start against the Padres on Sunday a little worse for wear, as he is dealing with left hip discomfort, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Jefferies had a rough go of it against San Diego, allowing nine runs (five earned) on nine hits while striking out a batter over two innings. To make matters worse, he's now dealing with an injury that will be evaluated again Monday.

Irvin did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Reds, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

Irvin cruised through the first two innings of his start with three strikeouts while facing the minimum six batters. However, the Reds lineup broke through to post three runs on six hits over his final three innings. Irvin allowed plenty of hard contact, as all batted balls in the fourth and fifth innings were over 95 mph. However, he should be a mainstay in the Nationals rotation after making 24 starts for the team in 2023. Irvin's next outing is scheduled to be against the Phillies on the road.