MLB Player News

Altuve went 3-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored and two RBI in Saturday's 9-2 win over the Rangers.

He also got hit by a pitch. Altuve has been on fire to kick off the season, reaching base safely in all 16 of the Astros' games while slashing .365/.452/.635 with 11 of his 23 hits (eight doubles and three homers) going for extra bases. The 33-year-old sparkplug has added five RBI and 12 runs, and the only disappointing thing about his campaign so far is that he's still looking for his first stolen base.

Pepiot (1-2) took the loss against the Giants on Saturday, allowing four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out six over five innings.

Pepiot got off to a bit of a rough start but was able to limit the damage early, allowing one run in the first inning while needing 24 pitches to get through the frame. He then went on to retire eight of the next nine batters he faced before surrendering a solo homer to Thairo Estrada with two outs in the top of the fourth. It was one of two home runs allowed on the day for Pepiot, and he's now given up at least four runs in two of his first three starts to open the season. On a positive note, Pepiot has produced a nice 20:5 K:BB over that early stretch and has gone at least five innings in each outing.

Blanco came away with a no-decision in Friday's 9-2 win over the Rangers, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out five.

The breakout star of the Astros' rotation turned in his worst outing so far in 2024 and gave up his first runs of the year, but he still delivered his third quality start in three trips to the mound. All the damage off Blanco came in the first inning after a pair of two-out walks, but he settled in after that and left the game having thrown 57 of 93 pitches for strikes. The 30-year-old righty sports a 0.86 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 16:9 K:BB through 21 innings, and he lines up to make his next start in a road tilt against the Nationals next weekend.

Heaney escaped with a no-decision in Saturday's 9-2 loss to the Astros, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out only one.

The veteran southpaw also plunked Jose Altuve and uncorked a wild pitch, throwing only 42 of 79 pitches for strikes before his exit, and Houston had runners in scoring position in the first and third innings before finally breaking through for two runs in the fourth. Heaney's had a shaky start to his 2024 campaign, posting a 6.75 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 10:7 K:BB through 12 innings over three outings, and he has yet to last five frames in a start. With the Rangers close to adding Michael Lorenzen (neck) to the big-league roster and Cody Bradford pitching very well, there's no guarantee Heaney keeps his spot in the rotation.

Hancock (1-2) took the loss against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks while striking out four batters over six innings.

Hancock allowed a run in each of the second and third frames but otherwise pitched very well, registering his first quality start of the campaign. However, Seattle's offense managed just an unearned run against talented Cubs rookie Shota Imanaga, resulting in Hancock taking his second loss. Hancock will nonetheless look to build upon this promising outing after being battered for eight runs over 3.1 innings against Milwaukee in his previous start.

Palacios went 3-for-4 Saturday against the Giants.

Palacios has been in a large-side platoon role to begin the season, primarily batting fifth in the Rays' order. However, with the team's top three lefty hitters each sidelined -- Josh Lowe (oblique), Brandon Lowe (oblique) and Jonathan Aranda (finger) -- Palacios has batted third in consecutive games. Palacios will still sit regularly against lefties, but he should be in a good position to rack up counting stats against right-handed pitching.

Varsho went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Rockies.

Varsho punctuated a five-run first inning against Colorado starter Dakota Hudson with a grand slam, his second homer in as many days after he went 13 games without a long ball to begin the season. The 27-year-old still has yet to attempt a stolen base in 2024. He will likely need to provide some speed in order to remain relevant in mixed rotisserie leagues now that he's lost catcher eligibility.

Stephenson (shoulder) had to be removed from his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday with an apparent injury, Taylor Blake Ward of TheSportingTribune.com reports.

Stephenson issued a four-pitch walk to the lone batter he faced before being visited by the trainer and then walking off the field. There's no word yet on what he's dealing with, but it would be fair to assume he might have aggravated the right shoulder injury he's dealt with since late February.

Garcia struck out the side in the ninth inning against the Rockies on Saturday to earn his first save of the season.

Chad Green, who recorded the Blue Jays' first two saves this season, pitched a perfect eighth inning against the middle of Colorado's lineup. Garcia then faced the bottom of the order in the ninth and struck out Brendan Rodgers, Elehuris Montero and Brenton Doyle on a total of 12 pitches. While it was an impressive outing, Garcia may still be behind Green in the pecking order, and Jordan Romano (elbow) has already made a couple rehab appearances at Triple-A. With that, Garcia doesn't seem to have much of a window to earn additional saves.

Rodriguez allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out six over 3.2 innings in a no-decision against the Rockies on Saturday.

The right-hander threw 68 pitches in his major-league debut, and the extent of the damage was a Brenton Doyle solo homer in the third inning. Rodriguez induced 12 swinging strikes while mixing in hesitations to his delivery and playing with different arm angles, as noted by Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Blue Jays manager John Schneider praised Rodriguez's performance after the game, saying the 27-year-old was "electric" and that the team "couldn't have asked for much more." Rodriguez makes for an interesting pickup in fantasy with the assumption that he's sticking in the starting rotation, though the team may continue to limit his pitch count for the time being given Rodriguez didn't pitch professionally in 2023 after defecting from Cuba.