MLB Player News

Francis (0-2) took the loss Sunday against the Yankees, allowing five runs on two hits and three walks over three innings. He struck out five.

Frances retired seven of his first eight batters Sunday -- an encouraging sign after serving up seven runs in his 2024 debut -- but quickly had his start flipped upside down in the third. He gave up a hit and three walks before Giancarlo Stanton cleared the bases with a grand slam as part of the five-run inning. The Blue Jays selected the contract of veteran righty Paolo Espino (38 starts spanning 2021-2022) from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, adding another arm who could, in theory, take Francis' spot in the rotation. If a move isn't made, expect Francis to toe the rubber during next weekend's homestand against the Rockies.

Santana earned the save Sunday against the Blue Jays, allowing no hits and no walks over 1.2 scoreless innings. He struck out two.

Santana was given another opportunity Sunday after allowing two runs in his first appearance of 2024 on Friday and delivered a five-out save. The reliever had his contract selected from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on April 5, but considering his career 5.18 ERA, Santana will likely be at the back end of the Yankees' bullpen and see minimal high-leverage work moving forward.

Gil (0-0) didn't factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs on two hits and four walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out eight Blue Jays.

Gil's poor command came back to bite him Sunday, as he allowed a single to George Springer and then issued three straight free passes -- one hit-by-pitch -- to bring Springer around to score. Other than his walk problem (seven walks in nine innings), Gil has been great to start 2024, owning a 3.00 ERA with 14 strikeouts through two starts, both of which have come against dangerous offenses. He's lined up to face the Guardians in Cleveland for his next projected start.

Stanton went 1-for-4 with a grand slam during Sunday's 8-3 win over the Blue Jays.

Stanton launched his second homer in as many days, following up Saturday's solo home run with a monstrous grand slam. He now trails Manny Machado for the most grand slams by an active player by one with 11. After submitting batting averages of .211 and .191 the past two seasons, Stanton's fantasy value will likely be tied to his home run total once again this season after going 7-for-32 (.219) at the plate through eight games.

Greene went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's loss to the A's.

Greene's eighth inning shot to right center just cleared the wall and represented the lone run for the Tigers on Sunday. Despite a slow start to the season that has seen him collect just six hits in 32 at-bats through nine games, Greene has homered three times thus far, showing some early power after collecting a total of 16 dingers over 754 at-bats during his first two seasons with the Tigers.

Shenton went 2-for-4 with an RBI double and a run scored in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Rockies.

After drawing his first major-league start Monday, Shenton broke through for his first MLB hit Sunday, driving in Jose Caballero with an RBI double off Dakota Hudson in the top of the second inning. He later came around to score off a single from Jose Siri in the frame while also adding another base knock himself in top of the ninth. Shenton currently doesn't have a direct path to consistent playing time, but his positional flexibility makes him a valuable utility option off the bench for Tampa Bay.

Gelof went 4-for-5 including a home run and a triple with four RBI and three runs scored during Sunday's win over the Tigers.

Gelof entered Sunday's game with just five hits in 32 at-bats over his first nine games but finished just a double shy of the cycle while collecting his first home run and first four RBI of the young season. The home run was a three-run shot in the second inning that opened a five-run lead for the A's, as they cruised to a victory. The 2021 second rounder showed well last year in his first season in Oakland with a .267 average to go along with 14 homers and 14 steals over 300 plate appearances. With a full season ahead of him, a 20/20 season is well within the possible range of outcomes for the talented second baseman.

Armstrong pitched two innings, allowing one run on a hit and a walk while striking out one batter and securing a save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Rockies.

Armstrong was called upon to protect a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the eighth frame, entering the game with no outs and the bases loaded. He was able to escape the inning unscathed before surrendering a run in the bottom of the ninth frame, but he was able to secure his first save of the 2024 campaign. Armstrong has been shaky at best so far this season, giving up five runs (four earned) over 6.1 innings in four appearances with Tampa Bay.

Pepiot (1-1) got the win after he pitched six scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out 11 batters in Sunday's 3-2 victory over the Rockies.

Pepiot was in full command Sunday, tossing 67 of his 94 total pitches for strikes while limiting Colorado to just one extra-base hit. After allowing six runs on four hits and four walks in his season debut against the Rangers on April 1, the right-hander rebounded about as well as he possibly could in his second turn in the rotation. Pepiot was the most significant piece that the Rays got in return for Tyler Glasnow and Manuel Margot in their trade with the Dodgers in December, and performances like Sunday's certainly bode well for his long-term outlook. He's tentatively set to be back on the mound Saturday for a home start against the Giants.

Taylor (biceps) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Sunday.

Taylor will now be forced to be out of action until at least late May as he recovers from a left biceps injury. The move was made in correspondence with the Royals' acquisition of right-handed reliever from the Pirates on Sunday.