MLB Player News

Brebbia pitched a perfect ninth inning in Saturday's 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Tigers.

The 33-year-old right-hander was bothered by a calf strain early this spring, but Brebbia was able to make a couple Cactus League appearances late in camp and seems healthy to begin the season. He was viewed as a potential closing candidate in an unsettled White Sox bullpen heading into 2024, so his high-leverage usage Saturday is encouraging, but the better news for Brebbia's fantasy outlook might have been how manager Pedro Grifol has deployed his competition. Rookie Jordan Leasure worked the sixth Saturday and got a hold, while Michael Kopech pitched the eighth Thursday with the team down by a run.

Robert went 3-for-4 with a walk, two home runs and four RBI in Saturday's 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Tigers.

The 26-year-old outfielder teed off against Kenta Maeda, belting a two-run homer in the first and third innings to help stake the White Sox to an early lead that the bullpen couldn't protect. Robert cranked out a career-high 38 homers and stole 20 bases in 2023 while slashing .264/.315/.542, but that was also the first season in which he played more than 98 games for Chicago. His ability to stay healthy will likely be the biggest factor in determining whether he can repeat that performance.

Soroka didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Tigers, giving up four runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings. He failed to strike out a batter.

The right-hander threw 77 pitches (44 strikes) before exiting the mound with a 6-4 lead, but Soroka was far from dominant and generated only three swinging strikes. The White Sox eventually lost the game 7-6 in 10 innings. The fact that Soroka was able to give Chicago a solid turn through the rotation is something of a minor miracle in itself, considering the litany of injuries that derailed his career following his breakout 2019 season with Atlanta, and even in that campaign he posted only a 20.3 percent strikeout rate to support his 2.68 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. Soroka has a long way to go to prove he can regain that form, however.

Canha went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run, three runs scored, three RBI and a stolen base in Saturday's 7-6 extra-inning win over the White Sox.

The veteran outfielder's sixth-inning solo shot off right-hander Michael Soroka got the Tigers rolling toward a comeback from an early 6-3 deficit. Canha has produced double-digit homers and steals twice in the prior three seasons, and he hasn't had an OBP below .355 since 2018, giving him a solid fantasy floor even if he lacks an exciting ceiling. He also seems to have a spot in the heart of the Detroit order locked into place -- he hit fourth on Thursday against southpaw Garrett Crochet before batting fifth Saturday against Soroka.

Maeda didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the White Sox, surrendering six runs on seven hits -- including three home runs -- and a walk over 3.1 innings. He struck out two.

The Tigers eventually rallied to win the game 7-6 in 10 innings, but Maeda was long gone by then. The veteran right-hander tossed 46 of 71 pitches for strikes and generated only 15 called or swinging strikes, getting tagged for at least one run in every frame in which he worked. Much of the damage came on a pair of two-run homers by Luis Robert. Maeda served up 33 long balls in 210.2 innings over the prior two years for the Twins, leading to a 4.44 ERA, so issues keeping the ball in the park are nothing new for him. He should fare better in his second start of the season, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the A's.

Arias went 2-for-5 with two RBI, two runs and a stolen base during Saturday's 12-3 win against the A's.

The 24-year-old made his first start of the season Saturday and took advantage of the opportunity with a multi-hit game, which he did just 15 times in 88 starts last season. Arias is working in a utility role to begin 2024 after Brayan Rocchio won the starting shortstop job during spring training.

Kwan went 3-for-5 with a solo home run, a walk, two RBI and three runs in Saturday's 12-3 win at Oakland.

The Guardians have posted 26 runs through three games against the A's, with Kwan setting the table nicely atop the order by going 6-for-15 with six runs and a stolen base. The 26-year-old clubbed just 11 home runs in 305 games across his first two MLB seasons, and his 424-foot shot to right-center field Saturday was a welcome show of power for the contact-oriented outfielder, who entered the year with a career .102 ISO.

Sears (0-1) was charged with loss Saturday versus Cleveland after he surrendered five runs on six hits and two walks across 3.2 innings. He struck out one.

The left-hander gave up two runs in the second inning and fell apart in the fourth, as the Guardians tallied three more runs on two singles, a double, a sacrifice fly and a hit-by-pitch before he was lifted. Sears generated nine swinging strikes and needed 83 pitches to record just 11 outs, with Cleveland fouling off 20 pitches. The 28-year-old was Oakland's most reliable rotation piece last season with a 4.54 ERA in 32 starts, and his fantasy utility will likely be limited in 2024 with wins at a premium, barring a significant improvement in his effectiveness.

Bibee gave up three earned runs on six hits and five walks over four innings during Saturday's 12-3 win over the Athletics. He struck out four and didn't factor in the decision.

Bibee threw just 50 of his 88 pitches for strikes as he failed to stick around long enough to qualify for the victory. It's a disappointing season debut for the right-hander after he posted a 2.98 ERA in 25 starts as a rookie last season, particularly since he was facing a poor offense in a pitcher's park. Bibee tentatively lines up to face the Twins next week in his second start.

Ward went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, two runs and two RBI in Saturday's 13-4 loss to the Orioles.

The 30-year-old went 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts in the season opener but provided the Halos' lone offense through eight frames Saturday with a solo homer, and he also delivered an RBI single in the ninth. Ward has started in left field and batted cleanup in the first two games of the season, which puts him in a favorable position to rack up counting stats behind Mike Trout.