MLB Player News

Griffin (1-0) earned the victory Monday against the Phillies, giving up two runs on five hits while striking out five over five innings.

It was just about a dream start to the game for Griffin as he was handed a 4-0 lead before he even threw his first pitch Monday. He handled that run support well, holding down the Nationals lineup in his five innings of work aside from a two-run home run surrendered to Rafael Marchan. That's an encouraging start to the season for the 30-year-old Griffin in his first MLB start since 2022.

Sasaki (0-1) took the loss against Cleveland on Monday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out four batters over four innings.

Amidst Sasaki's disastrous spring, there was a lot of chatter about whether the young hurler was deserving of a spot in the Dodgers' rotation. The team decided to stick with him, and Sasaki mostly looked good in his first regular-season start in spite of being handed the defeat. The right-hander was particularly effective when he went to his cutter and splitter, getting seven whiffs on 40 pitches versus just two whiffs on the 38 fastballs he threw. Sasaki may not have the longest of leashes, so this outing should be counted as a success in contrast to how he pitched during most of the spring slate. His next start is projected to take place on the road against the Nationals.

Castro went 1-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored Monday against the Blue Jays.

Castro has occupied a key spot in the Colorado lineup, starting at second base while hitting third in all four of the team's games. He drove in a pair with a double in the sixth inning, his first RBI of the season and with the Rockies. Castro has one hit in each of his last three games.

Merrill went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Monday in a loss to the Giants.

The Padres were down to their last out and in danger of being shut out before Merrill breathed life into the offense with a two-run blast off Giants closer Ryan Walker. The long ball was Merrill's first of the season and just his third hit through 15 at-bats. The Padres offense has been struggling as a whole, and Merrill will be among those most counted on to turn things around for the team given his spot in the middle of the lineup.

Johnston went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run Monday against the Blue Jays.

Johnston has alternated starts with Jordan Beck in right field to begin the season, and he has also benefited from the absence of Mickey Moniak (finger). Johnston managed his first home run with the Rockies by taking Spencer Miles deep in the sixth inning in Monday's blowout win. His playing time still looks uncertain, though he has started the campaign with three hits across nine plate appearances.

Buehler (0-1) allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three batters over four innings in a loss to San Francisco on Monday.

After signing with the Padres on a minor-league deal in mid-February, Buehler pitched well enough during spring training to earn a spot in the team's Opening Day rotation. The right-hander got through two scoreless innings in his regular-season debut, but Buehler fell behind on a solo homer off the bat of Harrison Bader in the third frame. Things got worse for Buehler in the fourth, as the Giants struck for two more runs on three singles and a walk. Overall, Buehler threw 43 of 72 pitches for strikes and notched eight whiffs. He's likely to get more opportunities to start, though Walker will probably need to pitch better to remain in the rotation when Griffin Canning (Achilles) and Joe Musgrove (elbow) eventually return from the IL.

Rumfield went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and a run scored Monday against the Blue Jays.

Rumfield won the starting first base job for Colorado during spring training, and he has started all four games while hitting exclusively fifth in the order since the start of the regular season. He's proven worthy of the role early on in the campaign, with his two-RBI double Monday marking his second extra-base hit across 16 plate appearances. Rumfield has also made contact at a decent clip, striking out four times while walking twice.

Walker earned a save against the Padres on Monday, allowing two runs on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter over one inning.

Walker appeared to be in line for a relatively easy save when he entered with a 3-0 lead in the ninth inning, but the veteran reliever struggled to close things out. He issued an inning-opening walk and later served up a two-run blast to Jackson Merrill with two outs. Walker was ultimately able to end the game by getting Xander Bogaerts to ground out to shortstop. This was Walker's third appearance but first save chance of the season. Despite the uneven outing, he has a pretty strong hold on San Francisco's closer role for the time being.

Roupp (1-0) earned the win over San Diego on Monday, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out seven batters over six scoreless innings.

Roupp had some issues with walks during spring training, but he was in complete control in his first outing of the regular season. The right-hander didn't yield any extra-base hits and threw 54 of 88 pitches for strikes while racking up 13 whiffs. Roupp didn't allow more than one runner to reach base in any of his six innings, and he ended his start by getting Manny Machado to ground into a double play. He's beginning the campaign at the back end of San Francisco's rotation, but Roupp can certainly firm up his standing among the team's starters with more outings like the one he had Monday.

Cabrera (1-0) earned the win Monday against the Angels, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out five across six scoreless innings.

Cabrera dazzled in his regular-season debut with the Cubs after he was acquired from the Marlins over the offseason. The right-hander generated 15 whiffs on 80 pitches and averaged 96.4 mph with his fastball. Not a single batter reached scoring position against Cabrera on Monday. His next start is scheduled for Sunday in Cleveland.