• Solid in no-decision
    McKenzie didn't factor into the decision Monday against Detroit, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out six.

    Advice: McKenzie settled in nicely after allowing a solo home run to Riley Greene on his first pitch of the day, striking out three straight to close out the first and keeping the Tigers from adding on more runs. He's now allowed two or fewer runs and struck out at least six batters in four consecutive starts, bringing his ERA to 3.97 through 34 innings. However, McKenzie still appears to have the training wheels on after missing most of the 2023 season with elbow and shoulder injuries, as he's been kept under 85 pitches in five of his seven starts this year. McKenzie is tentatively scheduled to face the White Sox in Chicago on Saturday. Rotowire.com 8 minutes ago
     
  • Another perfect inning
    Clase picked up the save Monday against Detroit, striking out one batter across a perfect ninth frame.

    Advice: Clase turned in a third consecutive perfect outing, throwing merely nine pitches to earn his 11th save of 2024. The 26-year-old has been incredible thus far, boasting a 19:1 K:BB and a 0.49 ERA through 18.1 innings and is tied for the league lead in saves. Rotowire.com 19 minutes ago
  • Continues to destroy baseballs
    Ohtani went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run, a walk and two stolen bases Monday in a 6-3 victory versus Miami.

    Advice: Fresh off being named the National League's Player of the Week after posting an absurd .524/.583/.952 slash line over his previous five games, Ohtani crushed a 441-foot, two-run homer in his first at-bat Monday to open the scoring for Los Angeles. He went on to notch his third straight multi-hit game and added a pair of steals for good measure, giving him four thefts over his past four games. It took Ohtani nine games as a Dodger before he hit his first long ball, but he's since gone deep 11 times -- including four times over his past three games -- to take over the major-league lead in that category. He's also tied for second in the majors with 31 runs, tied for sixth with 27 RBI and leads all of baseball with a 1.139 OPS. In addition, Ohtani has nine stolen bases, putting him on the verge of becoming the league's first player with double-digit homers and thefts this season. Rotowire.com 20 minutes ago
     
  • Knocked around by Dodgers
    Munoz (1-1) took the loss against the Dodgers on Monday, allowing six runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out five batters over 4.2 innings.

    Advice: Munoz pitched well in his first two major-league starts, giving up three earned runs and posting a 14:3 K:BB over 11 innings, but he was no match for one of the league's top offenses. The rookie right-hander was blasted for four homers in his first three innings and needed 104 pitches to make in through 4.2 frames. In addition to the long balls, Munoz struggled with his control, issuing a career-high four free passes -- more than he had allowed in his first two starts combined. With both Jesus Luzardo (elbow) and Braxton Garrett (shoulder) currently in the midst of minor-league rehab assignments, Munoz could lose his spot in the Marlins' rotation in short order. Rotowire.com 30 minutes ago
  • Gets save chance in Phillips' stead
    Vesia earned a save against the Marlins on Monday, striking out one batter in a perfect ninth inning.

    Advice: When Evan Phillips (hamstring) was placed on the injured list Sunday, there arose uncertainty about whom Dodgers manager Dave Roberts would turn to when the next save chance came up. The answer turned out to be Vesia, who has been arguably the team's best reliever (outside of Phillips) this season with a 1.56 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 20:12 K:BB over 17.1 innings. The southpaw handled the opportunity well, retiring the side in order on 13 pitches, nine of which were strikes. It's worth noting that the Marlins were due to send up two left-handed hitters among the first three batters in the frame (though both lefties were swapped for a righty pinch hitter), so that may have played into the Roberts' decision to call upon Vesia rather than a righty reliever. It's too early to assume that Vesia will be the primary closer while Phillips remains out, but he certainly appears to be in the mix for save chances along with Daniel Hudson and possibly Blake Treinen. Rotowire.com 36 minutes ago
     
  • Mixed results in season debut
    Buehler allowed three runs on six hits and no walks while striking out four batters over four innings in a no-decision against Miami on Monday.

    Advice: Buehler had a favorable matchup in his first major-league start since mid-June of 2022, as he squared off against the team with the third-worst record in baseball. That didn't seem to matter early, though, as the Marlins jumped on the right-hander for a pair of first-inning runs on a trio of singles. However, Buehler's fastball velocity averaged a solid 96.6 mph in the frame, per Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register, which foreshadowed him settling down to allow just one more run over the remainder of his outing. Not surprisingly, the 29-year-old wasn't pushed too hard in his return to the majors, as he was pulled after 77 pitches and four frames rather than being allowed to complete the fifth and qualify for the win. Assuming Buehler comes out of the start without any setbacks, Monday's outing will likely serve as a foundation on which he can build up to a higher pitch count moving forward. He's tentatively lined up to make his next start on the road in San Diego this weekend. Rotowire.com 50 minutes ago
     
  • Logs best outing of season Monday
    Wood pitched six scoreless innings, allowing two runs and one walk while striking out three batters in a no-decision against Texas on Monday.

    Advice: Wood tamed the Rangers' bats in his season-high six innings of work, allowing just three baserunners and keeping all of those from reaching second base. The left-hander departed in line for the win with Oakland clinging to a 2-0 lead, but the team's bullpen couldn't hold on late, saddling Wood with a no-decision. Nonetheless, this was another promising outing for the veteran hurler, who has allowed just three runs over 15.2 frames across his past three starts. His season ERA is still a poor 5.30, but that's a dramatic step forward after it sat at 7.89 over his first five starts of the campaign. Rotowire.com Today, 10:05 pm
    Alex WoodOAK - SP,RP
    L, 2-4 vs TEX
     
  • Collects third win
    Sandlin (3-0) allowed a hit and struck out one without walking a batter over 1.1 innings to earn the win Monday over the Tigers.

    Advice: Sandlin is on a six-inning scoreless streak, during which he has permitted three baserunners (two hits, one hit batsman). The right-hander has been a go-to option for manager Stephen Vogt -- Sandlin is already up to 19 appearances this season, tied with teammates Emmanuel Clase and Scott Barlow for the major-league lead. Through 17.2 innings, Sandlin has pitched to a 2.04 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and 20:3 K:BB while adding a save and two holds. He's not a full-time high-leverage reliever, but he's been steady for a strong Guardians bullpen when called upon. Rotowire.com Today, 10:03 pm
     
  • Takes first loss
    Kittredge (0-1) allowed one run on one hit over one inning, taking the loss Monday versus the Mets. He did not strike out or walk a batter.

    Advice: Kittredge was charged with a run for the first time since April 6, though he took a blown save in his last outing Saturday for allowing an inherited runner to score. The scoreless streak spanned 10.1 innings. Even with the recent slip-ups, Kittredge is boasting a 1.20 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB over 15 innings this season while adding 10 holds. The right-hander has emerged as a key high-leverage option for the Cardinals, though Ryan Helsley is firmly entrenched as the closer this year. Rotowire.com Today, 9:59 pm