MLB Player News

Valdez (1-1) took the loss after allowing five runs on four hits and four walks in five innings Wednesday against the Giants. He struck out nine.

The star left-hander was ambushed early, promptly serving up a two-run home run to Willy Adames in the first inning. Luis Matos then hit a solo homer in the second, and Heliot Ramos also doubled to drive in a pair of runs later in the frame. Valdez did settle in to throw three scoreless innings thereafter and fanned nine, but overall it was a poor performance after delivering seven shutout frames Opening Day.

Trout went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 12-5 loss to the Cardinals.

He took Sonny Gray deep in the first inning, giving Trout his first homer of the year. The 33-year-old outfielder has had a sluggish start to the campaign, batting .143 (3-for-21) through six games, but he's made his hits count with five RBI.

Kikuchi came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 12-5 loss to the Cardinals, giving up three runs on four hits and five walks over six innings. He struck out six.

The southpaw battled both his control and command, tossing only 59 of 104 pitches for strikes and getting tagged for a pair of homers by Ivan Herrera. Even so, Kikuchi was briefly in line for the win when the Halos took a 5-3 lead in the top of the seventh, but the bullpen made a mess of things. Kikuchi has a 4.50 ERA and 11:5 K:BB though his first two trips to the mound for Los Angeles, both of them quality starts, and he'll look for his first win of 2025 in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next week in Tampa Bay.

Pepiot (0-1) took the loss Wednesday as the Rays were downed 4-2 by the Pirates, giving up two runs on five hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out three.

A Ke'Bryan Hayes leadoff triple in the second inning and an Oneil Cruz solo shot in the fifth led to the only damage against Pepiot, but the right-hander had no margin for error with Paul Skenes on the mound for the Bucs. Pepiot has had a strong beginning to his season, posting a 2.45 ERA and 11:4 K:BB through his first 11 innings, but Tampa Bay has scored just five runs combined in his two starts. The right-hander will look for more support in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Angels.

Straw went 3-for-4 with two doubles an a run in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Nationals.

Straw made his second start in center field Wednesday and logged his first hit of the season when he doubled off MacKenzie Gore in the second inning. Straw collected another double in the sixth frame and proceeded to cross home plate two batters later on a fielder's choice. He'll likely maintain his spot on the Blue Jays' roster as a reserve outfielder for as long as Daulton Varsho (shoulder) is on the injured list.

Springer went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Nationals.

Springer took an 85-mph changeup from MacKenzie Gore deep to left field for a 368-foot homer in the fourth inning, his first of the 2025 campaign. Springer has recorded an RBI in four straight games and has gone 7-for-15 with two doubles, one home run and five RBI over that span.

Hoffman picked up his third save of the season in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Nationals. He gave up one run on three hits while striking out one batter in the ninth inning.

Hoffman needed only eight pitches to notch his second save of the year Tuesday, but he faced tougher resistance in Wednesday's bout. He quickly registered the first two outs of the ninth frame, but he proceeded to allow three straight hits, including an RBI double to Nathaniel Lowe, before a caught stealing ended the contest. Hoffman has secured a save in all three chances he's had and has tossed just 18 pitches across his last two outings.

Lucas (1-0) picked up the win against the Nationals on Wednesday. He allowed one hit and two walks while striking out three across five scoreless innings.

With Max Scherzer (thumb) on the IL, Lucas was given the ball Wednesday for his first major-league start. Despite being limited to bullpen work for most of his career, Lucas managed to reach five innings to qualify for the win, tossing 74 pitches (45 strikes) while generating 11 whiffs. Given his strong outing, it wouldn't be surprising to see Lucas get another turn in the rotation, which is lined up for next week against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that Sugano has been cleared to make his next start this weekend in Kansas City after experiencing cramping in both of his hands during his MLB debut Sunday versus Blue Jays, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Sugano said after the game that he's previously dealt with hand cramps at various points during his playing career in Japan, but neither he nor the Orioles are concerned about his health moving forward. Before exiting his start Sunday, Sugano gave up two earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one batter over four innings.

Henderson (intercostal) is scheduled to play 7-to-9 innings in the field Wednesday in his final rehab game for Triple-A Norfolk, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Though Henderson is poised to rejoin the big club immediately after completing the rehab assignment, the Orioles may not be keen on reinstating him from the 10-day injured list ahead of Thursday's game against the Red Sox, which begins at 1:05 p.m. ET. Before making a decision on whether to activate Henderson on Thursday or to delay his season debut until the weekend, the Orioles will wait and see how Henderson is feeling physically coming out of Wednesday's contest. After straining his right intercostal Feb. 27 and landing on the IL, Henderson has looked healthy through his first four rehab games, going 5-for-16 with a pair of home runs. Manager Brandon Hyde reiterated that Henderson will serve as the Orioles' everyday shortstop and leadoff hitter once he's activated.