MLB Player News

Hicks (1-0) picked up the victory Saturday in San Diego, yielding three hits, a walk and a hit-by-pitch over five frames. He struck out six.

It was Hicks' first-ever win as a starting pitcher (in his ninth career start), as he carried over his strong spring with a terrific season debut. All three of the hits the Padres tallied off the hard-throwing righty were singles, and Hicks also enjoyed some stellar infield defense behind him. It will be a real test for Hicks holding up over a full season as he converts to being a starter, but the early returns are promising.

Bednar (lat) didn't allow a baserunner and struck out one across a scoreless inning Saturday against Miami.

Bednar was unavailable to pitch on Opening Day in a save situation due to ongoing recovery from a lat injury. However, he entered Saturday's game in the ninth inning with a six-run lead. Though it wasn't a save situation, Bednar had no issues recording the final three outs of the game and should be available as Pittsburgh's closer moving forward.

Jefferies will be called up to start for the Giants on Sunday in San Diego, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

The Giants will need to make moves on their 26-man and 40-man rosters to clear a spot for Jefferies. The 28-year-old hasn't pitched in the majors in nearly two years after having a second Tommy John surgery, but he impressed this spring in allowing four earned runs with a 16:3 K:BB over 14 innings. Jefferies could earn additional starts, depending on when Blake Snell is ready.

Brown was touched up for six earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one over 1.2 innings while working in relief in Saturday's 11-2 loss to the Rangers.

After being promoted from Triple-A Iowa earlier in the day, Brown was called upon in relief during the seventh inning with the Cubs trailing by three. He got through that frame unscathed, but things got out of hand in the eighth, when the first five batters reached and two of them scored. Brown was finally knocked out of the game when Josh Jung slugged a home run to cap off a six-run inning. Before his implosion in relief, Brown appeared to have a shot to take Justin Steele's (hamstring) spot in the rotation. However, given that Brown needed 44 pitches to record just five outs Saturday, it's possible he'll be optioned to the minors in short order so that the Cubs can bring in a fresh arm.

Ruiz went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Saturday's 7-6 win over the Reds.

Ruiz drove in the game's first run in the fourth inning, hit his first home run of the season in the eighth and drove in the game-tying run on a hit-by-pitch in the ninth. His long ball snuck just inside the right-field foul pole and was estimated at 397 feet. Now 25 years old, Ruiz will attempt to build on a strong 2023 season in which he hit 18 homers with 67 RBI.

Hendricks (0-1) took a loss against the Rangers on Saturday, yielding five runs on nine hits and two walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out two.

Hendricks managed to escape a jam in the first inning but served up two-run home runs in the second and third frames and was chased in the fourth after giving up another tally. The soft-tossing right-hander managed just two whiffs on 72 pitches. Hendricks figures to be startable in more favorable matchups, but this performance is a reminder that he's a volatile option against better offenses.

Lipscomb went 1-for-4 with a single and stolen base in a win over the Reds on Saturday.

Batting ninth in his big-league debut, Lipscomb notched his first career hit in the third inning against Hunter Greene and promptly stole second base. Lipscomb also made a number of impressive plays defensively at third base. It appears he could get regular run at the hot corner in the absence of Nick Senzel (thumb), with Ildemaro Vargas better suited for a utility role.

Weathers (0-1) allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five over four innings to take the loss to the Pirates on Saturday.

Weathers was outshined by youngster Jared Jones, who had 22 swinging strikes to Weathers' 13. Weathers threw 94 pitches in total and looked much more like the pitcher we've seen over the years than the one who had a 3.00 ERA and 21:4 K:BB over 18 innings this spring. The Marlins need him with a myriad of injuries to the starting rotation, but Weathers has to be considered a high-risk gamble every time out, at least until he shows something more at the major-league level. He lines up for a road start in St. Louis next week.

Jones (1-0) earned the win over the Marlins on Saturday, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out 10 over 5.2 innings.

The right-hander lived up to the hype in his major-league debut, notching 22 swings and misses on 89 pitches. According to MLB's Sarah Langs, 22 swings and misses are the most by a pitcher in their MLB debut in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008). Jones reached as high as 99.9 mph with his fastball and looked every bit the part of a breakout pitcher. He's only 22 years old, but Jones has pitched 120-plus innings each of the past two years and could in theory push past 150 frames as a regular member of the Pirates' rotation. He tentatively lines up for a tough test at home against the Orioles next week.

Murphy was diagnosed with a Grade 1 left oblique strain Saturday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Murphy landed on the 10-day injured list prior to Saturday's game with an injury suffered in Friday's opener, but an MRI has revealed a best-case scenario. He will be eligible for activation April 9, and while Murphy might not be ready at that time, it shouldn't be a lengthy absence. Travis d'Arnaud will be Atlanta's regular catcher while Murphy is out.