MLB Player News

After Eflin struck out four in three innings, Gregory Soto, Yennier Cano, Cionel Pérez, Bryan Baker, Roansy Contreras and Riley Cooper completed the no-no. Elfin had allowed nine runs and 13 hits in 8 2/3 innings this spring prior to today. He seems like a worse bet now than he was a year ago, but he should retain some mixed-league value.

Marte smacked a ball into the gap that looked to be an easy triple, but he pulled up lame into second base and needed to be replaced by a pinch runner. It appeared to be some sort of hamstring issue. The Diamondbacks should have an update on their star second baseman’s status shortly.

The Mets won their home opener 5-0. Megill struck out four and walked three in improving to 2-0. The last two walks, coming consecutively to Vladimir Guerrero and Anthony Santander, ended his outing in the sixth. Reed Garrett bailed him out then by fanning both Andrés Giménez and Alejandro Kirk. Megill is a strong play in mixed leagues with the Marlins next on the schedule.

Gausman allowed just two hits. Unfortunately, one was a two-run homer from Pete Alonso, who managed to drill a low-and-away fastball out to right. Gausman, whose velocity fluctuates more than that of most starters, was down some today, averaging 94 mph with his fastball, and he actually went without a strikeout for just the fifth time in his starting career. We wouldn’t read too much into it; Gausman isn’t at all likely to reemerge as a top-10 fantasy starter, but he should be solid enough to be useful in mixed leagues.

Clement did get a home run trot in today, as his fly down the left field line was initially ruled fair. However, Clement knew it was foul, and it was overturned afterwards. Clement was making a third straight start after sitting on the bench for three of the first five games. The Jays are obviously a stronger defensive team with him at third base. However, the lineup is better when it’s Will Wagner there, instead of at DH, against a righty. That will become even more apparent once Daulton Varsho returns.

The session was reportedly two innings with Wright stopping and starting again. He’s in the final stages of recovery from shoulder surgery and could be soon cleared to begin a minor league rehab assignment. If all goes according to plan, he could be an option to join the Royals before the end of April.

Reds’ manager Terry Francona is out on Friday night due to illness and it had been hinted that several players on the team were also under the weather. Steer is the only notable omission from the starting lineup, as he would almost surely be in there in most cases against an opposing left-hander. If that is indeed the case, he should be considered day-to-day.

Fortunately, he’s not dealing with any sort of injury and the Pirates are calling his status day-to-day. Alexander Canario took over for him on Friday afternoon and could start in his place on Saturday if he’s not feeling up to it.

Trevor Story and Abreu homered on back-to-back pitches in the first inning today, setting the tone for a high scoring affair. Abreu, who had four balls in play in excess of 100 mph today, is now 11-for-22 with three homers in eight games. His .500 average and .611 OBP both lead the majors. His 1.000 slugging percentage puts him third behind Iván Herrera, who also homered in this one, and Aaron Judge.

The Red Sox were up 13-6 going into the ninth today, but Chapman was needed after Cooper Criswell gave up three runs. Chapman walked the first batter he faced, loading the bases, but he then got a double play ball to end the game. It was the second save of the year for Boston’s primary closer.

After going 0-for-19 with 15 strikeouts in March, Devers has opened April 5-for-11 with just one strikeout. He has only one extra-base hit, but the at-bats have gotten far, far better.