MLB Player News

Gray (0-1) took the loss after he lasted four innings and allowed seven runs on eight hits and two walks Thursday against Cincinnati. He struck out six.

Gray got off to a rocky start to the new campaign, getting tagged by Nick Martini for home runs in the second and third innings as part of the abbreviated start. Although Gray posted a 3.91 ERA last season compared to a 5.02 ERA in 2022, Thursday's outing paired with an iffy spring makes his 2024 prospects seem bleak. He's tentatively scheduled to toe the rubber next against the Pirates.

Reynolds went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and a double while adding a walk in Pittsburgh's 6-5 win over Miami on Thursday.

Reynolds had been dealing with a back issue in the days leading up to Opening Day, but he started as usual in left field and crushed a 2-1 pitch over the left-center field wall in the third inning to knot the game 2-2. Reynolds later doubled off Anthony Bender to earn the two-hit effort. Reynolds, an all-star in 2021, is looking to post his fourth straight season of at least 24 home runs.

Martini went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and a two-run home run during Thursday's win over the Nationals.

Martini filled the DH role against Josiah Gray and delivered home runs off the right-hander in back-to-back innings. He was responsible for driving in five of Cincinnati's eight runs on the day. It appears Martini will have the opportunity carve out a regular spot in the lineup during TJ Friedl's (wrist) and Matt McLain's (shoulder) IL stints.

Montas (1-0) tossed six scoreless innings and allowed four hits and no walks while striking out four to earn the win Thursday win against the Nationals.

While the Nats offense isn't expected to light MLB on fire this season, Montas going six scoreless in Great American Ballpark is a noteworthy accomplishment -- especially after logging a 5.94 ERA this spring. Although Montas doesn't have the stuff he had in prior years, he should be in a solid position to succeed if he can keep walks allowed to a minimum. He'll likely have a tougher time in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled to come against the Phillies.

Hernandez tossed a scoreless 12th inning to earn his first save in Thursday's Opening Day win over Miami.

The lefty reliever had been called up from Triple-A earlier in the day and with closer David Bednar unavailable due to a lingering lat issue, Hernandez took advantage of his opportunity by throwing nine of 11 pitches for strikes in a blemish-free 12th to pick up his first career save. The Pirates are currently missing a couple of bullpen arms to start the season, putting Hernandez in position to help the bullpen prior to a likely return trip to Triple-A once the Bucco bullpen returns to full capacity.

Keller allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks over 5.2 innings during Thursday's Opening Day win at Miami. He struck out three and did not factor in the decision.

Keller threw 61 of his 85 pitches for strikes, but he was not sharp overall as Miami's bats seemed to have a bead on him all game. The Pittsburgh righty, who signed a five-year contract extension in the offseason, exited with a three-run deficit, but the Pirates were able to grind their way back into the game, eventually earning the victory and taking Keller off the hook. Expect Keller to rebound in his next start, tentatively scheduled for next week against the Nationals.

Luzardo tossed five innings, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out eight in Thursday's Opening Day loss to Pittsburgh. He did not factor into the decision.

Luzardo allowed a two-run home run to Bryan Reynolds but was otherwise unblemished in a solid first start of the season. Manager Skip Schumaker elected to pull Luzardo after 85 pitches with a three-run cushion, but the bullpen slowly leaked away the lead, finally losing the game in the 12th inning. The lefty begins the campaign as the ace of a Miami staff that is missing three starters due to injury.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said that Senzel is expected to miss 3-to-4 weeks after fracturing his right thumb in during batting practice prior to Thursday's 8-2 loss to the Reds, the Associated Press reports.

Senzel was slated to start at third base and bat eighth in the season opener, but he was scratched from the lineup after suffering the injury when his throwing hand was struck by an errant groundball when one of his teammates was taking BP. Ildemaro Vargas drew the start at third base Thursday, but Vargas could end up moving back into a utility role while the Nationals give a longer look at prospect Trey Lipscomb at the hot corner during Senzel's upcoming absence. Andrew Golden of The Washington Post notes that Lipscomb is set to receive a call-up from Triple-A Rochester ahead of Saturday's game in Cincinnati, with Senzel presumably going on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move.

Burger went 3-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored in Thursday's Opening Day loss to the Pirates.

Burger added a sacrifice fly that gave the Marlins a 5-2 lead in the fifth, but that was the last run Miami would score as the Pirates clawed back to steal the win. It was a good start to the season for the 27-year-old, who hit 34 home runs last season split between the Marlins and White Sox. Burger will man the everyday role at third base for the Marlins this season.

The Mets optioned Martinez to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday.

Since Martinez didn't sign with the Mets until last week, he didn't have sufficient time to complete his hitting progression in spring training, so he'll be left off the 26-man active roster ahead of Friday's season opener versus the Brewers. The Mets haven't indicated if Martinez will immediately report to Syracuse for the start of its season Friday, or if he'll continue to see live at-bats at the Mets' spring training facility in Florida. Either way, Martinez will join the Mets and serve as their everyday designated hitter once he spends around 10 days in the minors compiling at-bats, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.