MLB Player News

Valdez (2-2) earned the win Saturday, allowing three runs on eight hits without walking a batter over seven innings against Atlanta. He struck out nine.

Valdez pitched around loud contact Saturday. Atlanta hitters had an exit velocity of 95 mph or more on 13 of Valdez's pitches, but six of those resulted in outs. A year after leading MLB in quality starts, the lefty has posted four straight quality starts. Valdez has a 2.25 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 32 innings.

Raya (shoulder) gave up two runs on a hit and three walks over 2.2 innings Friday with four strikeouts for High-A Cedar Rapids. He reached 97 mph with his fastball, TwinsDaily.com reports.

It was Raya's first outing of the season as he began the season on the injured list after experiencing shoulder tightness during spring training. Raya made a strong impression last season at Low-A Fort Myers with a 3.05 ERA and 10.5 K/9. He'll need to show he can stay healthy at High-A.

Cease did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk over four innings during a 4-3 loss to the Rays in extras. He struck out five.

Cease allowed a two-run home run to Randy Arozarena in the first inning and was pulled with 101 pitches after he surrendered back-to-back singles to start the bottom of the fifth. The right-hander has given up three or fewer runs in each of his first five starts, but his four innings Saturday were a season low. He currently sports a 2.73 ERA and has a 34:13 K:BB through 26.1 innings.

McClanahan did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk over six innings during a 4-3 win over the White Sox in extras. He struck out 10.

McClanahan struck out a season-high 10 but allowed solo home runs to Eloy Jimenez and Yasmani Grandal, marking the first long balls he's surrendered this year. However, the left-hander was still in line for the win until the White Sox tied the game at 3-3 in the eight inning. McClanahan has given up two or fewer runs in each of his first five starts this season and currently sports a 1.86 ERA with a 37:12 K:BB through 29 innings.

Sanchez didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 4-3 win over Colorado, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out five.

Making his first big-league appearance of the season after recovering from a triceps strain, the 26-year-old southpaw was able to last 73 pitches (46 strikes) and exited the game with the score tied 3-3. Sanchez was likely only making a spot start, but it's not clear whether he'll head back to Triple-A Lehigh Valley after this outing or whether he'll remain in the Phillies' bullpen as a long relief option.

Freeland (2-2) took the loss Saturday as the Rockies were downed 4-3 by the Phillies, giving up four runs on five hits -- including three home runs -- and a walk over six innings. He struck out six.

Despite being away from Coors Field, the southpaw still got hit hard, with Nick Castellanos leading the way for the Phillies by slugging solo homers in the second and sixth innings. Freeland sports a 4.28 ERA and 18:7 K:BB through 27.1 innings, losing his last two outings after kicking off the season with three straight quality starts. The 29-year-old will look to get back on track when he next takes the mound, which is likely to be at home next weekend against the Diamondbacks.

Peterson (1-3) took the loss Saturday, allowing seven runs on seven hits and one walk over five innings during a 7-4 loss to San Francisco. He struck out eight.

Peterson allowed four runs in the first inning and two more in the second, but he was still able to get through five frames and struck out a season-high eight. The left-hander has given up at least five runs in three of his first five starts and currently sports a 7.36 ERA with a 30:9 K:BB through 25.2 innings.

Webb (1-4) earned the win Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over seven innings during a 7-4 win over the Mets. He struck out eight.

Webb gave up an RBI double to Daniel Vogelbach in the second and a solo shot to Brandon Nimmo in the third, but he got plenty of run support and cruised through a season-high seven innings en route to his first win. Through five starts (30.2 innings), the right-hander sports a 4.40 ERA with a dominating 36:4 K:BB.

Wesneski (1-1) took the loss Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over 4.1 innings during a 9-4 loss to the Dodgers. He struck out one.

Wesneski allowed a leadoff single to Mookie Betts, a double to Freddie Freeman and walked Max Muncy to load the bases in the first, but he limited the damage by inducing a double play from J.D. Martinez. However, that wasn't the end of the trouble for the young right-hander, who served up a solo home run to James Outman in the second and an RBI single to Outman in the fourth. Wesneski came out for the fifth but was pulled after Mookie Betts reached on a fielding error by Patrick Wisdom with one out. Outside of a stellar start in Oakland, Wesneski has really struggled to begin the campaign after showing flashes last year. He'll look to find some rhythm in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for the Cubs' upcoming three-game set with the Padres.

May (2-1) earned the win Saturday, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks over 5.1 innings during a 9-4 victory over the Cubs. He struck out six.

May allowed a leadoff single to Nico Hoerner and walked the next two batters, but he got out of the first inning surrendering just one run on an RBI groundout by Seiya Suzuki. The right-hander got tagged for another run in the fourth when Eric Hosmer ripped an RBI double and was pulled in the sixth with a runner on first and one out. May has failed to get through the sixth inning in three straight starts, allowing multiple runs in each of those contests after giving up just one run over his first two outings (13 innings). His six strikeouts were a season high, and he owns a modest 19:10 K:BB through 29.1 innings.