MLB Player News
-
Andrew Painter SP | PHI
Phillies' Andrew Painter: Impressive MLB debut
Painter (1-0) picked up the win in Tuesday's 3-2 victory over the Nationals, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out eight.
Making his long-awaited big-league debut, Painter fired 57 of 84 pitches for strikes and topped out at 98.7 mph with his four-seam fastball, although his velocity began to fade in the fifth inning. The 22-year-old right-hander made a clear early statement that he intends to stick around in the Phillies' rotation even after Zack Wheeler (shoulder) comes off the IL. Painter lines up to make his next start early next week on the road in San Francisco.
-
Brandon Williamson SP | CIN
Reds' Brandon Williamson: Rude welcome in 2026 debut
Williamson (0-1) was the losing pitcher Tuesday when he allowed six runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings in an 8-3 loss to Pittsburgh.
Williamson was roughed up by the Pirates in his first big-league start in 560 days. The left-hander avoided damage in the first inning, when he gave up a single and a walk to the first two batters, but the Pirates eventually got to him in the second. A three-run home run from Ryan O'Hearn and a solo blast by Bryan Reynolds highlighted Pittsburgh's five-run frame. "Obviously I threw a few too many heaters over the plate," Williamson told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "Hindsight 20/20, I throw something else or locate it a little bit. Really the three-run shot was the dagger." Williamson later gave up a third home run in the fourth inning. He's scheduled to make his next start April 6 against the Marlins, but Williamson did little to suggest he'll keep his spot in the rotation once Nick Lodolo (finger) is cleared to make his season debut.
-
Zack Littell SP | WAS
Nationals' Zack Littell: Stuck with loss in Nats debut
Littell (0-1) took the loss Tuesday, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks over five innings of relief as the Nationals were downed 3-2 by the Phillies. He struck out one.
After PJ Poulin worked a scoreless first inning as the opener, Littell took the mound and lasted 75 pitches (53 strikes) while serving up solo shots to Kyle Schwarber in the third inning and Adolis Garcia in the fourth. Littell didn't sign with the Nats until early March, so Tuesday's usage likely has more to do with the fact that the right-hander wasn't quite stretched out yet, rather than being a sign that he'll be used as a primary pitcher behind an opener on a regular basis. Littell is expected to make his next appearance at home early next week against the Cardinals.
-
Gregory Soto RP | PIT
Pirates' Gregory Soto: Works ninth in Tuesday's win
Soto allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning during Tuesday's 8-3 win over the Reds. He struck out one.
The veteran lefty was getting ready to handle a save situation when Oneil Cruz added some insurance with a two-run homer in the top of the ninth. Soto has a 0.00 ERA and 6:2 K:BB through 3.1 innings to begin the season, while presumed closer Dennis Santana -- who worked a scoreless eighth against the bottom of the Reds' order to record his first hold of the year -- also has a 0.00 ERA in four innings, albeit with a less dominant 2:2 K:BB. Neither pitcher has a save yet in 2026, but the scales seem to be tipping in Soto's favor as the top high-leverage option in the Pirates' bullpen.
-
Oneil Cruz SS | PIT
Pirates' Oneil Cruz: Goes yard twice in win
Cruz went 3-for-4 with two home runs, three RBI and a third run scored in Tuesday's 8-3 win over the Reds.
The 27-year-old center fielder crushed a Brandon Williamson cutter an estimated 444 feet to lead off the fourth inning, before adding a two-run blast in the ninth off Pierce Johnson. They were Cruz's first homers and RBI of the season, and while he's batting .278 through five games, he's also struck out nine times in his first 19 plate appearances of 2026.
-
Bubba Chandler P | PIT
Pirates' Bubba Chandler: Allows no hits in no-decision
Chandler didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 8-3 win over the Reds, giving up an unearned run over 4.1 no-hit innings. He walked six and struck out six.
While the right-hander managed to find strikes with only 43 of his 81 pitches, Chandler was routinely hitting triple digits with his fastball and Cincy batters couldn't get good wood on the ball when he was in the strike zone. Until he tightens up his control, however, Chandler will be tough to rely upon in fantasy lineups. The 23-year-old lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Padres.
-
A.J. Puk RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Amassing bullpen sessions
Puk (elbow) has thrown multiple bullpen sessions since late March, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
Puk is coming back from an internal brace procedure he underwent last June. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Tuesday that his best guess is that Puk returns to the team at some point in June.
-
Lourdes Gurriel LF | ARI
Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel: Ramping up on back fields
Gurriel (knee) continues to get at-bats and lightly run out of the batter's box in simulated games at Arizona's training camp, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Tuesday that more intense game action in the Arizona Complex League could come at some point in early-to-mid April. That's when Gurriel will test at full speed. Lovullo reiterated that late April is the earliest the outfielder could return, and that Gurriel will operate as the designated hitter initially upon his activation.
-
Adrian Del Castillo C | ARI
Diamondbacks' Adrian Del Castillo: Begins rehab assignment
Del Castillo (calf) started at catcher and went 0-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in a rehab game for Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.
Del Castillo began a rehab assignment Tuesday and will continue it Wednesday, when he's scheduled to serve as the designated hitter for the Aces, per Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. He was placed on the 10-day injured list March 22, so he could be activated soon if the back-to-back rehab games go well. As a left-handed bat, Del Castillo is an ideal replacement for Pavin Smith (elbow), who landed on the 10-day injured list earlier this week.
-
Merrill Kelly SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Slated for rehab start
Kelly (back) is scheduled to start for Triple-A Reno on Friday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
The plan for Kelly, fresh off a 35-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, is to get as close to or into the 70s with his pitch count Friday. This could be the only rehab start he makes before rejoining the Diamondbacks. Kelly was placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 24, which means he could be activated as early as next Wednesday, April 8.