MLB Player News

Webb didn't factor into the decision during Thursday's loss to the Padres. He struck out five over six innings and gave up two runs on five hits and two walks.

The 2023 NL Cy Young runner-up picked up where he left off last season, delivering a quality start during his first outing of the 2024 campaign. Webb held the Padres scoreless up until the fifth frame, when he allowed both his runs. While his primary value is his durability -- he's thrown at least 190 innings in two straight seasons -- and a strong K:BB (194:31 in 2023), Webb could face issues picking up wins again this season due to a lack of run support after posting an 11-13 record last year.

Darvish (0-0) didn't factor into the decision Thursday, giving up one run on five hits and a walk over five innings against the Giants. He struck out seven.

After tossing 3.2 innings during the Padres' two-game series with the Dodgers in South Korea to open the season, Darvish delivered another solid performance on Opening Day but couldn't pick up a victory. He punched out four of the first six batters he faced Thursday but gave up a pair of doubles in the third inning for his only run allowed. Darvish is off to a strong start to 2024, an encouraging sight after he posted a 4.56 ERA and 8-10 record in 2023. He's tentatively scheduled to take the mound next against the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Freeland (0-1) took the loss against Arizona on Thursday, allowing 10 runs on 10 hits and one walk while striking out two batters over 2.1 innings.

Freeland scuffled from the outset, yielding a two-run homer to Lourdes Gurriel on his sixth pitch of the contest. He made it through the second inning without any further damage, but he allowed seven straight Arizona batters to reach base before recording an out in the third and was ultimately charged with eight earned runs in the frame. Though Freeland is as close as it gets to an ace for Colorado for the time being, he hasn't posted an ERA better than 4.33 since 2018 and has very little fantasy appeal given his home park and lack of strikeout potential.

Gallen (1-0) earned the win over Colorado on Thursday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks while striking out three batters over five innings.

Gallen notched just three punchouts in the win, though he did rack up a healthy 15 swinging strikes. He didn't face much stress in the outing, as Arizona put up 14 runs in the third frame to turn the contest into a laugher. The right-hander posted a career-high 17 wins last season for a Diamondbacks team that surprised by reaching the World Series, and he remains the team's ace despite the recent signing of Jordan Montgomery. If history is any indication, Gallen should see his strikeout numbers trend up as the season rolls along -- he's never posted a K/9 below 9.4 in any of his five MLB campaigns.

Castillo (0-1) took the loss against Boston on Thursday, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five batters over five innings.

Castillo struck out two batters in a 1-2-3 first inning, but he didn't record any clean frames thereafter. The right-hander was stung by Rafael Devers' two-run homer in the third and followed by giving up a run in each of the next two frames. On a positive note, Castillo worked up to 91 pitches in his season debut and averaged 95.8 mph on his fastball, so he seems to be in good form despite the rough outing. He'll look to bounce back next week, as he is projected to make his next start at home against Cleveland.

Kopech allowed one hit and one walk while also hitting a batter and striking out one across a scoreless inning in Thursday's loss to the Tigers.

Kopech entered the game in the eighth inning with the White Sox down by a run. He loaded the bases with two outs, but he managed to get Matt Vierling to strike out swinging to end the threat. While it was a high-leverage situation, Kopech's usage in the loss suggests that he may not be the top candidate for saves in a murky Chicago bullpen.

Bello (1-0) earned the win against Seattle on Thursday, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks while striking out two batters over five innings.

Bello wasn't overpowering in the outing, notching just eight swinging strikes and two punchouts, but he got key outs when needed and kept the Mariners off the board in four of his five frames. The 24-year-old earned his first Opening Day start after posting a 12-11 record in his second MLB campaign last year, though his 7.6 K/9 and 4.24 ERA aren't typical of an ace. As Bello showed Thursday, he has the skill set to get big-league hitters out and limit damage when runners reach base, but fantasy managers are unlikely to see him as more than rotation filler as long as his punchout numbers remain low.

Lopez (1-0) tossed seven innings, allowing one run on four hits with seven strikeouts to earn the victory in Minnesota's 4-1 win at Kansas City on Thursday.

It took Lopez just 84 pitches to complete seven frames as he walked none in a dominant effort. His lone blemish in the box score was a leadoff home run by Royals' third baseman Maikel Garcia, but otherwise Lopez was in control, throwing first-pitch strikes to 18 of the 24 batters he faced. Lopez earned his first all-star appearance last year and finished with 11 wins and a 3.66 ERA and 234 strikeouts over 194 innings.

Berrios (1-0) went six innings and allowed two runs on six hits and one walk to earn the win Thursday against the Rays. He struck out six.

After kicking off 2023 with two straight losses, Berrios wasted no time getting in the win column to start the 2024 campaign, going six strong against Tampa Bay. Berrios was tagged for a solo homer by Yandy Diaz on just his fifth pitch of the game. However, he limited the Rays' Nos. 2 through 5 hitters to a combined 0-for-11. Berrios' next start is tentatively scheduled to come against the Astros.

Eflin (0-1) went 5.2 innings and allowed six runs on six hits and one walk to take the loss Thursday versus Toronto. He struck out five.

Eflin was roughed up by the Blue Jays' potent offense, giving up solo home runs to George Springer, Vladimir Guerrero and Cavan Biggio after allowing just 19 homers in 31 starts last year. Most of the damage against Eflin came in the sixth, when he surrendered five of his six runs. Eflin is set for another test to begin 2024 with a matchup against the Rangers on tap for his next projected start.