MLB Player News

Flaherty did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Royals, allowing one run on two hits and three walks while striking out seven over six innings.

The right-hander was dominant for much of the outing, opening the game with four strikeouts over the first two innings while needing just 25 pitches. Flaherty's only blemish came in the fifth, when back-to-back walks set up an RBI single from Kyle Isbel. After a mediocre start to the year, the 30-year-old has looked much sharper over his last two starts, allowing just two runs while striking out 13 across 11.2 innings. Flaherty has now lowered his season ERA to 4.05, but his 14 walks remain a concern, and he'll seek to keep building momentum in his next scheduled outing against Boston.

Lugo did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Tigers, allowing one run on five hits while striking out seven over 6.2 innings.

Lugo turned in another strong outing, continuing his excellent start to the season. The right-hander faced the minimum in every inning except the third, when Detroit strung together four hits but managed only one run on a sacrifice fly that brought home Javier Baez. Outside of that frame, Lugo was in full control, limiting traffic and missing bats effectively. The 36-year-old has now logged quality starts in three of his first four outings of the campaign and has yet to allow more than two runs in any start. Through 24.1 innings, Lugo owns a sparkling 1.48 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 21:6 K:BB, though he'll face a tougher test in his next scheduled outing against Baltimore.

Leasure will work as Chicago's opening pitcher Thursday against the Rays, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Leasure gave up four earned runs over his first four appearances of the season, but he has since fired 4.2 shutout frames. The White Sox will now trust him to handle the first inning or two of Thursday's series finale before he hands the ball over to Anthony Kay for bulk-relief work.

Cleavinger (calf) is scheduled to face hitters in live batting practice Thursday, per MLB.com.

The left-hander is working his way back from right calf tightness, and the expectation is that he'll be able to rejoin Tampa Bay's bullpen at some point in mid-to-late April. Cleavinger has given up two runs on three hits and four walks over 2.1 innings to begin the year, so it's possible the Rays will ease him back into the high-leverage mix once he's cleared to return.

Albies went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Marlins.

It was homer No. 4 on the campaign thus far for Albies, who opened the scoring Wednesday with his second-inning blast. The switch-hitting second baseman is off to a nice start in 2026, slashing .288/.338/.466 with five extra-base hits, eight RBI and 13 runs scored over 80 plate appearances. Albies has hit safely in 10 of his 13 outings in the month of April.

Iglesias picked up the save Wednesday against the Marlins, allowing one hit and no walks in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out three.

The veteran right-hander pounded the zone Wednesday, with just one of his 12 pitches landing for a ball. Iglesias continues to show no signs of slowing down in his age-36 campaign -- he's up to 7.2 shutout innings so far to go with a 10:0 K:BB and four saves in as many opportunities. As long as he continues to deal, Iglesias should remain locked in as Atlanta's primary closer over Robert Suarez.

Paddack (0-3) took the loss Wednesday against Atlanta, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out four.

Paddack held Atlanta in check for the most part, but he wasn't particularly efficient with his pitch count. The right-hander couldn't get through the fifth inning, finishing with 92 pitches and failing to cover at least five frames for the third time in four starts to begin the season. Paddack appears to have a soft matchup against the Cardinals in his next scheduled start, but he still won't be a recommended option for most fantasy managers while carrying a 5.59 ERA and 1.45 WHIP across his first 19.1 innings of 2026.

Elder (2-1) notched the win Wednesday against the Marlins, allowing four hits and two walks in 5.2 scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

Given how well he was pitching, it was pretty surprising to see Elder get pulled from the outing at just 79 pitches. The right-hander threw 53 strikes on the evening, submitting his third scoreless start already this year. Elder hasn't yet touched the 90-pitch mark this season -- Atlanta could have some form of workload restrictions in place -- but he has a microscopic 0.77 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB over 23.1 innings thus far, making him close to a must-roster fantasy player ahead of a favorable matchup against Washington next week.

Weiss is slated to start Thursday's game against the Rockies in Houston, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Weiss has been hit around quite a bit during his last two relief appearances, conceding nine runs (eight earned) on 12 hits and four walks while striking out eight batters over five innings. However, the Astros are running low on options with seven starting pitchers currently on the injured list, so the 29-year-old righty will be called upon to make his first MLB start. He'll at least benefit from a favorable matchup, as the Rockies rank in the bottom third of MLB with a .681 OPS.

Romano (0-2) was charged with the loss and a blown save Wednesday against the Angels, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk in one-third of an inning.

Romano simply didn't have his best stuff Wednesday -- even the one out he recorded was a sharp lineout by Giancarlo Stanton. The right-hander got just 12 of his 21 offerings to hit for strikes, and Jose Caballero drove in a pair of runs on a double to walk it off for the Yankees. Although Romano has converted four of his six save chances so far, he's given up five runs in his past two outings and now owns a dismal 8.44 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 7:5 K:BB through 5.1 innings. He could soon have more competition for ninth-inning work in the form of Kirby Yates (knee), who is nearing his return from the IL.