MLB Player News

Lugo (5-1) picked up the win Wednesday in a 6-1 victory over the Blue Jays, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out eight.

The 34-year-old right-hander generated an impressive 35 called or swinging strikes over 101 pitches as he baffled Toronto hitters. The quality start was Lugo's sixth in seven trips to the mound, and the two-year, $30 million contract he signed in December is looking like an absolute bargain for the Royals. Lugo will take a 1.60 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 31:11 K:BB through 45 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Brewers.

Brennan went 2-for-4 with a solo homer in Wednesday's win over the Astros.

Brennan got ahead in the count 2-0 to lead off the fifth inning before crushing a hanging four-seamer from Justin Verlander into the stands in right field for his fourth home run of the season. The outfielder would later add a single to give him his sixth multi-hit game of the campaign, with four of those performances coming over his last eight contests. He also has six extra-base hits over that eight-game stretch.

Clase earned the save over the Astros on Wednesday, striking out one over a perfect 10th inning.

Clase entered the contest with a one-run lead in the bottom of the 10th and needed only five pitches to retire the side and secure his ninth save of the season. The right-hander has now converted each of his last five save attempts (over nine appearances), posting a 10:1 K:BB over that stretch. He now sports a pristine 0.55 ERA following Wednesday's scoreless appearance.

Verlander pitched seven innings in a no-decision against the Guardians on Wednesday, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out two.

Verlander allowed the leadoff man to reach in four of his seven innings of work but managed to limit the damage to only two runs, both of which came across in the top of the fifth. The veteran right-hander struggled to get ahead in the count for much of the contest and has now issued at least three walks in back-to-back starts, though he's still held opposing teams to two or fewer runs in all three outings to open the campaign. Wednesday also marked Verlander's first start this season in which he's gone at least seven innings.

McKenzie did not factor into the decision in a win over the Astros on Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over seven innings while striking out six.

McKenzie was highly effective Wednesday despite getting down in the count early and often, striking out at least six batters for the third consecutive start, with five of those strikeouts coming on his curveball. The right-hander issued only one free pass in the contest, which marked a season best, while also going seven innings for the first time in the early campaign. McKenzie has not allowed more than two runs in any of his last three starts after surrendering a season-high five runs against the Yankees back on April 13.

Heaney (0-4) took the loss against the Nationals on Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits while striking out four over seven innings.

Heaney looked sharp over his seven innings of work, with the exception of the second inning when he allowed back-to-back hits with one out, which led to Washington's lone run coming home. The lefty would allow only two singles from that point on before being tagged with his fourth loss of the season. It's been a tough go for Heaney to begin the campaign as the Rangers have now lost all six games that he's started, despite him allowing three or fewer runs in four of those outings. On a positive note, he's posted an 11:0 K:BB over his last two starts, going six or more innings in each of those games.

Bradley (pectoral) will throw his second rehab outing with Triple-A Durham on Saturday or Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Bradley was sharp in his first rehab appearance and ramped up to 65 pitches while completing five scoreless innings of work. If he can increase his workload during his weekend start, it's possible that he could be activated from the injured list by mid-May.

Palacios went 2-for-3 with a walk, a run and a stolen base Wednesday against the Brewers.

Palacios was the lone offensive bright spot for the Rays on Wednesday, and he now has three multi-hit efforts in his last five starts. He also stole his third base in that span Wednesday, bringing his total to four on the season. Palacios has a large-side platoon role in right field and has maintained an impressive 163 wRC+ and .395 wOBA across 87 plate appearances on the campaign.

Lee went 1-for-3 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Twins.

Lee took Brock Stewart yard in the seventh inning for his third home run of the season, two of which have come in his last seven starts. He is in a nearly exactly even split for playing time behind the dish, as he's been in the lineup eight times in the White Sox's last 14 games. Overall, Lee has a 111 wRC+ and .328 wOBA across 58 plate appearances this season, and he could continue to slowly take playing time from Martin Maldonado if his strong performance continues.

Abreu went 1-for-3 with a walk, a run and a stolen base in Wednesday's 6-2 win against the Giants.

Abreu stole a base in three straight games between April 15 and 18, but he hadn't notched any thefts over his subsequent 10 contests coming into Wednesday. The 24-year-old outfielder continues to cement his place in the starting lineup, as he's slashing .316/.395/.519 with two homers, 12 RBI, 14 runs and five thefts on the campaign. Abreu began the campaign as Boston's fourth outfielder, but has since emerged as the team's everyday right fielder and cleanup hitter.