MLB Player News

Abel (0-2) was charged with the loss Saturday against the Rays after allowing four runs on six hits and three walks while fanning three across four innings.

Abel needed 84 pitches (53 strikes) to record just 12 outs, and by the time he left the game, the Twins were already down 4-1 and wouldn't get any closer. The 24-year-old righty, who made his season debut in relief in a loss to the Orioles on March 29, has delivered a disappointing start to the season. Through 7.1 innings and two appearances, Abel has already allowed nine earned runs on 14 hits with seven walks and seven strikeouts. If he stays in the rotation, his next start would be lined up for next week against the Tigers.

Aranda went 1-for-5 with a double, two RBI and three strikeouts in Saturday's win over the Twins.

Aranda made his presence felt in the top of the second inning with a bases-loaded double that scored both Ben Williamson and Richie Palacios. Aranda has gone just 1-for-13 in his last three games, but he's done damage when he makes contact this year with two doubles, two homers and seven RBI with an .818 OPS through 39 plate appearances.

The Brewers don't believe Frelick suffered an oblique strain, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Frelick was grimacing in pain after his fourth-inning single in the second game of Saturday's twin bill, and after a visit from the training staff, he exited the contest with what was described as left side tightness. However, the Brewers don't seem to think it's a new injury; Frelick had been dealing with pain in that area coming into Saturday. Testing will likely be needed to confirm the extent of the issue, but he should be considered day-to-day for now.

Diaz went 1-for-3 with a triple and two RBI in Saturday's win over the Twins. He was also hit by two pitches.

Diaz got on base three times in a dominant performance from the Rays' offense, and the first baseman is enjoying a blistering start to the campaign. He's hit safely in all but one of his eight games thus far, tallying two homers, a double, a triple, 10 RBI, six runs scored and a red-hot 1.197 OPS.

Rocker (0-1) took the loss Saturday against the Reds, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk with three strikeouts across five innings.

Rocker won the fifth spot in the Rangers' rotation during the spring but had his first turn skipped due to Jacob deGrom being pushed back a day with a neck issue earlier this week, so Saturday was his 2026 season debut. Rocker surrendered three straight singles to Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart in the top of the first inning, accounting for both of the runs against him. He eventually settled in and got up to 80 pitches, keeping Cincinnatioff the board the rest of the way. Rocker's next start will likely come next weekend against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, where he won't be a recommended fantasy streaming option.

Matz (2-0) earned the win Saturday against the Twins after allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out eight over six innings.

Matz tossed 58 of his 97 pitches for strikes and looked far better than in his season-opening outing, when he allowed four runs on six hits across five frames in a win over the Cardinals. Matz has a 10:3 K:BB through his first two starts of the season, but a tougher test awaits for his next start, which is tentatively lined up for next weekend at home against the Yankees.

McLain went 2-for-4 with a run scored in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Rangers.

McLain singled in the top of the first inning and came around to score on an RBI single from Elly De La Cruz. After snapping an 0-for-13 skid Friday, McLain is 4-for-9 through two games against Texas this weekend. He's now slashing .267/.389/.300 with just one extra-base hit, one RBI, three runs scored, and a 5:9 BB:K across 36 plate appearances to begin the 2026 season.

Stewart went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Rangers.

Cincinnati scored both of its runs in the top of the first inning against Kumar Rocker, as Elly De La Cruz singled home Matt McLain before Stewart singled home De La Cruz. Through eight games, Stewart is locked in as the Reds' everyday first baseman, slashing .407/.529/.741 with three doubles, two home runs, four RBI, five runs scored and a 7:5 BB:K across 34 plate appearances.

Pagan collected his third save in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Rangers, allowing one hit and two walks with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Pagan walked Jake Burger to lead off the inning but got Joc Pederson to ground into a double play. The right-hander then got back into trouble by allowing another walk and a single, but he struck out Evan Carter to end the threat. Pagan has converted three of four saves chances this year, but his outings have been adventurous thus far, as he owns an 8.44 ERA and 6:3 K:BB across 5.1 innings.

Perez will start Sunday's series finale against the Diamondbacks, Barrett Sallee of 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

This was expected, but manager Walt Weiss confirmed that Perez will indeed step into the Atlanta rotation, replacing Jose Suarez. The 35-year-old lefty saved the bullpen after Suarez struggled Tuesday against the Athletics, allowing just two hits and striking out three over 4.1 scoreless innings. Perez figures to make at least a couple starts while the team awaits the return of Spencer Strider (oblique).