MLB Player News

McCullers did not factor into the decision in Sunday's rain-shortened loss to the White Sox, allowing three hits and walks apiece over 3.2 scoreless innings. He struck out four.

In his first outing back from 2023 flexor tendon surgery, McCullers was inefficient against a lowly Chicago lineup, requiring 87 pitches to get 11 outs. Despite not allowing a run, the Houston right-hander generated just six whiffs as his sinker averaged 91.8 mph, down from his 2022 average of 93.1 mph. Given his extended absence, it's not surprising that McCullers might require a few outings to shake off the rust. He currently lines up to make his next start against Cincinnati at home next weekend.

The Orioles reinstated McDermott (lat) from the 15-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Baltimore has an opening in its rotation during the upcoming week after demoting Charlie Morton to the bullpen, but McDermott apparently isn't being viewed as a candidate to fill the void while he builds back up from the right lat strain that kept him out for all of spring training and the first month of the regular season. McDermott kicked off his rehab assignment with Double-A Chesapeake this past Sunday before moving up to Norfolk for his second start Saturday, when he struck out three over four scoreless innings. The 26-year-old righty tossed 57 pitches in that outing, but once he gets stretched out into the 75-to-90-pitch range at Triple-A, he could be a more realistic option for the big-league rotation.

Mariners manager Dan Wilson said that Arozarena was removed from Sunday's 8-1 loss to the Rangers prior to the bottom of the sixth inning due to "a little bit of a hamstring thing," but the skipper said the injury is "nothing serious," Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Arozarena started in left field before being replaced by Rhylan Thomas after singling in his final at-bat of the afternoon to finish 1-for-3 on the day. According to Jude, Arozarena seemed to tweak his hamstring while rounding first base on the single, but he was able to temporarily stay in the game. Seattle was trailing by five runs by the time Arozarena was lifted in the next half-inning, so there could be merit to Wilson's claim that the outfielder's early exit was precautionary. The Mariners will return to action Monday in Sacramento against the Athletics.

Francis (2-5) took the loss Sunday against the Guardians, allowing four runs on six hits and a walk over 4.1 innings. He struck out two.

Francis has failed to make it through five innings in three straight outings, allowing 14 runs over just 12 innings in that span. His ERA is up to 5.66 this season with a 1.37 WHIP and 25:10 K:BB across his first seven starts (35 innings) this year. Francis will look to right the ship in his next outing, tentatively scheduled for next week in Seattle.

Clase earned the save in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Blue Jays, allowing one unearned run on one hit in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

After Andres Gimenez reached on an error to start the ninth, Clase gave up a base hit to Bo Bichette, who'd eventually move to third on an Anthony Santander groundout. However, Clase stranded him there, striking out George Springer to close out the one-run victory. It's been a shaky start to the year for the 27-year-old Clase, though he's been better recently, allowing just one earned run in his last five innings. His ERA now sits at 5.87 with a 1.76 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB across 15.1 innings this season.

The White Sox announced that Benintendi was removed in the sixth inning of Sunday's game against the Astros due to left calf tightness.

Benintendi is considered day-to-day after he appeared to suffer the injury while running the bases in the fifth inning. He stayed in the game in the top of the sixth to play left field but was lifted for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the inning when his turn in the batting order came up. Benintendi went 0-for-3 with a run scored before departing.

Ferguson earned the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Marlins, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

After Mason Miller threw 28 pitches in a blown save Saturday, Ferguson got the call in the ninth inning Sunday, with the A's holding a one-run lead. The 31-year-old Ferguson made quick work of the Marlins, retiring the side on just 11 pitches, to pick up his first save this year. While Ferguson isn't likely to challenge Miller for the closing job, he's been excellent in a setup role this season, allowing just one earned run through his first 16.1 innings.

Sears did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Marlins, allowing two runs on four hits over 6.1 innings. He struck out two.

Sears has held opponents to two runs or fewer in each of his last four starts -- he's gone 3-0 with a 1.95 ERA in that span (23 innings). Overall, the 29-year-old left-hander sports a 2.93 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP and an impressive 32:6 K:BB across seven starts (40 innings) to open the year. Sears will look to keep rolling in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week against the Yankees.

Bibee was removed ahead of the bottom of the sixth inning of Sunday's game against the Blue Jays due to apparent leg cramping, Joe Noga of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. He struck out three and allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks over five innings and departed with a 4-3 lead.

Bibee came on the field to warm up in the sixth but quickly signaled for the Cleveland training staff to visit him on the mound. After a brief consultation, Bibee headed to the dugout, and the Guardians called upon Tim Herrin to relieve him. Provided Bibee's early exit wasn't due to anything more than cramping, he should be ready to make his next turn through the rotation next weekend against the Phillies, but fantasy managers will want to keep close tabs on the right-hander's status nonetheless.

Anderson will start at second base and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Anderson thus far seems to be the primary beneficiary of Mike Trout's (knee) recent move to the injured list. With Trout on the shelf, Kyren Paris has now made three consecutive starts in the outfield, opening up the keystone for Anderson in all three of those contests. The two-time All-Star is still slashing a woeful .179/.220/.196 over 60 plate appearances with the Angels on the season, so despite the recent uptick in playing time, Anderson likely won't warrant much attention outside of AL-only leagues.