MLB Player News
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Shohei Ohtani DH | LAD
Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani: Next start scheduled April 8
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Wednesday that Ohtani is scheduled to make his next start in the team's series finale against the Blue Jays on Wednesday, April 8, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.
The Dodgers plan on deploying a six-man rotation during the upcoming six-game road trip by mixing in a start for southpaw Justin Wrobleski, which means the next time Ohtani takes the mound will be during next week's World Series rematch. Ohtani dominated in his pitching debut against the Guardians on Tuesday, allowing one hit and three walks while striking out six across six scoreless innings to earn the win. Per Thomas Harrigan of MLB.com, Ohtani holds the longest regular-season scoreless streak among active pitchers at 22.2 innings, dating back to the 2025 campaign.
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Daniel Palencia RP | CHC
Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Closes door in non-save situation
Palencia worked around a hit in a scoreless frame in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Angels. He struck out one and walked none.
Palencia has now made two scoreless appearances so far this season but has yet to see any save opportunities. Those should come for the flamethrowing righty, who looked good as Chicago's closer last year and then continued to impress for Team Venezuela during its championship run through the World Baseball Classic last month. Palencia is the Cubs' unquestioned end-game option, with offseason additions Hunter Harvey and Phil Maton working ahead of him in setup roles.
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Matt Shaw SS | CHC
Cubs' Matt Shaw: Tallies two hits, two RBI in win
Shaw went 2-for-4 with two RBI in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Angels.
Shaw has started four of Chicago's first six games of the season in right field, with Michael Conforto also working into the mix. The former delivered his first multi-hit effort of the year Wednesday, and he should continue to see regular time in right until Seiya Suzuki (knee) is able to return. When Suzuki does come back, Shaw may shift into more of a super-utility role for the Cubs due to his ability to play the infield.
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Michael Busch 3B | CHC
Cubs' Michael Busch: Records two hits in win
Busch went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Angels.
Busch ceded leadoff duties to Nico Hoerner with the Cubs facing lefty starter Yusei Kikuchi, but the former only slid down to fifth in the order and still turned in a strong effort. The Chicago first baseman is reportedly going to face southpaws more often this season, and Wednesday was a quality showing in that regard. While Busch will likely still perform better against righties overall, his ability to stay in the lineup most days should boost his fantasy stock.
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Nico Hoerner 2B | CHC
Cubs' Nico Hoerner: Paces offense from leadoff spot
Hoerner went 3-for-5 with two doubles, an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Angels.
With Chicago facing lefty starter Yusei Kikuchi, Michael Busch slid down to fifth in the order, with Hoerner grabbing the leadoff spot. He responded with his first three-hit effort of the season and also added his fourth stolen base of the year. Hoerner is now riding a five-game hitting streak, and his ability to consistently get on base and run frequently when he does makes him a solid fantasy contributor.
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Matthew Liberatore SP | STL
Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore: Logs quality start Wednesday
Liberatore did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Mets, allowing a run on three hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out two.
Liberatore was impressive Wednesday, holding the Mets without a hit until the fifth inning before eventually giving up a lone run on a Juan Soto homer with two outs in the sixth for his first quality start of 2026. Through two starts, the 26-year-old Liberatore has given up just two runs on 10 hits and three walks while striking out four over 11 innings. The left-hander is tentatively in line for a road matchup with the Nationals his next time out.
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Freddy Peralta SP | NYM
Mets' Freddy Peralta: Sharp in no-decision
Peralta (1-0) did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Cardinals, allowing a run on three hits and two walks across 5.1 innings. He struck out seven.
Peralta pitched well Wednesday, blanking St. Louis through his first five innings before he was ultimately charged for a run in the sixth in an eventual 2-1, extra-innings defeat. Through his first two starts with the Mets, Peralta's given up five runs on nine hits and two walks over 10.1 innings while striking out seven in both outings. He's currently slated for a home matchup with the Diamondbacks his next time out.
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Garrett Crochet RP | BOS
Red Sox's Garrett Crochet: Stumbles vs. Houston
Crochet (1-1) took the loss Wednesday against the Astros, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits across five innings. He struck out seven.
The left-hander shut out the Reds over six frames in his season debut, but it was a different story for Crochet on Wednesday. After giving up two runs in the first inning, the 26-year-old surrendered a two-run homer to Carlos Correa in the fifth in an eventual 6-4 defeat. Crochet will look to get back on track in his next outing, tentatively lined up for next week at home against the Brewers.
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Michael Burrows SP | HOU
Astros' Mike Burrows: Earns first win
Burrows (1-1) earned the win Wednesday over the Red Sox, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out six.
Burrows had to contend with traffic Wednesday, though he managed to hold Boston to a pair of runs en route to his first win with the Astros. It was a nice rebound effort overall from Burrows after he gave up five runs on nine hits in his first start against the Angels. The right-hander is currently slated to face the Rockies at Coors Field his next time out.
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Bryan Abreu RP | HOU
Astros' Bryan Abreu: Hangs on for first save
Abreu earned the save in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Red Sox, allowing a run on one hit while striking out three in the ninth inning.
Abreu got off to an inauspicious start in the ninth inning Wednesday, as he gave up a home run to Roman Anthony to lead off the frame. However, the right-hander rebounded to strike out Boston's subsequent three batters to close out a two-run victory and earn his first save of the year. While Abreu has given up at least one run in all three of his appearances this season, Wednesday's outing certainly looks like a step in the right direction. Notably, his fastball velocity reached 97.4 mph after topping out at just 93.2 mph in his last appearance Sunday versus the Angels. Abreu figures to retain the ninth-inning job in Houston until Josh Hader (biceps) is able to return from the IL.