MLB Player News

Cease allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and one walk while striking out six batters over 5.2 innings in a no-decision against the Cubs on Monday.

Cease tossed three scoreless frames before serving up three runs -- including two on a homer by Michael Busch -- in the fourth. The right-handed hurler departed with two outs in the sixth facing a two-run deficit, but the Padres rallied to pull out the win. Though San Diego is off to a blazing hot 14-3 beginning of the campaign, Cease has yet to fully find his groove, as he's recorded a 6.64 ERA and 1.52 WHIP through 20.1 innings. On a more positive note, he's given up three or fewer runs in three of his four starts, and his overall poor numbers so far are mostly the result of a nine-run, four-inning start against the Athletics on April 8.

Donovan went 4-for-4 with a double, two runs and an RBI in Monday's 8-3 win over Houston.

The Astros were unable to get Donovan out Monday, as he reached base in all four of his trips to the plate. It was the fourth time this season that the utility man has gotten at least three hits in a game, and he's off to a hot start with the bat, logging a .391/.420/.563 slash line through 69 plate appearances. Donovan is also in the midst of a 10-game hitting streak, during which he's batted a scorching .513 (20-for-39) with eight RBI.

Arenado went 3-for-4 with a home run, two doubles, two total runs and two total RBI in Monday's 8-3 victory versus the Astros.

Arenado led a potent Cardinals offense that racked up eight extra-base hits against Astros pitching. Among his knocks were a seventh-inning solo homer and a fifth-inning run-scoring double. Arenado has run hot and cold this season -- he began the campaign with a nine-game hitting streak, then failed to get a hit while going 0-for-14 over his next five contests. The veteran third baseman may be in the midst of another hot streak, though, as he's gone 5-for-8 with four extra-base hits over his past two games.

Morgan left Monday's game against the Padres due to a right elbow injury, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Morgan didn't look himself during Monday's appearance, surrendering four runs on three hits and one walk before walking off with the trainer. He's likely headed for further evaluation to determine whether a trip to the injured list is necessary.

Gray (3-0) earned the win over Houston on Monday, allowing three hits and issuing one walk while striking out four batters over seven scoreless innings.

Gray experienced very little pressure in the outing, as only one Astros batter reached second base while he was in the game. The veteran right-hander was efficient in getting through his seven frames on just 92 pitches, as he mostly pitched to contact, registering a modest six whiffs. Gray is off to a 3-0 record to begin the campaign, and he's allowed two or fewer runs in three of his four outings so far. He'll look to keep rolling his next time out, which is lined up to be a tough road matchup against the Mets this weekend.

Chapman went 1-for-5 with an RBI during Monday's 10-4 win over the Phillies.

The third baseman singled on a grounder to shortstop Trea Turner in the ninth inning, beating the throw to first and driving in Mike Yastrzemski for the Giants' final run. The RBI single marked Chapman's first hit since the club's win over Seattle on April 5. The 31-year-old didn't draw a walk in the victory, though he's tied for the third-highest total in the majors with 14 free passes thus far. Chapman is slashing .179/.343/.321 with two homers, two doubles, nine RBI, eight runs and a 14:19 BB:K across 70 plate appearances in 16 games.

Hoskins went 1-for-3 with a run scored Monday against Detroit.

Despite the decent performance Monday, Hoskins' homer drought extended to 15 games to open the season. Although the slugging first baseman has drawn eight walks, Hoskins is hitting a disappointing .182 (8-for-44) with one double, four RBI and two runs scored so far, which is making him difficult to hold in shallow mixed fantasy leagues.

Doyle (quadriceps) felt discomfort while running sprints prior to Monday's game against the Dodgers, Andres Soto of MLB.com reports.

This is concerning news for the 26-year-old, who hasn't been in the lineup since Thursday against Milwaukee and is now on the verge of an extended absence. Doyle mentioned after his troublesome workout that Tuesday would provide more clarity on whether a trip to the injured list is needed.

Soto went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Monday against the Twins.

Monday marked just the second long ball of the season for Soto, who got his first hit of the year with a runner in scoring position on a 405-foot shot to center field in the seventh inning. Despite what seems to be a quiet start by the perennial All-Star's lofty standards, Soto is slashing a respectable .250/.400/.429 with four doubles, six RBI, one stolen base and 14 walks over 70 plate appearances (16 games) so far.

Fitzgerald went 3-for-4 with a three-run homer, a triple, and two additional runs scored in Monday's 10-4 win against the Phillies.

Fitzgerald cracked his first homer of the season off Taijuan Walker in the second inning, hitting it 369 feet to left field. However, the 27-year-old wasn't done, as he returned in the seventh to rope his first triple of the year. Fitzgerald is the primary San Francisco second baseman and has opened with a solid .286/.333/.476 slash line across 47 plate appearances.