MLB Player News

Perkins was ineffective, but rather fascinating is that his velocity was actually up tonight in his first start of the year. He’d averaged 96.2 mph with his fastball and 85.9 mph with his sweeper as a reliever. Tonight, even though he was being expected to throw two or three times as many pitches as usual, he came in at 96.8 mph with the heater and 87.4 mph with the sweeper. He struck out six and produced 13 whiffs, so that’s not bad. He’ll probably stay in the rotation and face the Brewers next Wednesday. For fantasy purposes, though, in a very tough situation in Sacramento, he was only intriguing as a possibility for saves out of the pen.

Genao came to the big leagues ready to hit. He ripped the first pitch he saw into right field for a single and did not stop there, totaling four singles in his debut with at least one from each side of the plate. The most meaningful of which came in the eighth inning as the Guardians mounted a comeback against the Mets’ bullpen and Genao slapped a single down the third base line to drive home the go-ahead run. Cleveland would blow this game right back, but don’t let that take away from Genao’s memorable first game. He started at third base in this game as José Ramírez tended to lingering hand soreness and he made two errors. His path to everyday playing time isn’t especially clear unless Ramírez winds up back on the injured list despite this electric debut.

Bibee did everything right here, besides keeping the ball in the yard. It was the first time he’d reached 10 strikeouts in a single start since September of last season and his changeup was lethal, forcing seven swings-and-misses. On the flip side, the Mets smashed three home runs off him and all came from left-handed batters. All in all, it was still a solid start and Bibee left it with a 3.85 ERA, 110 strikeouts, and 38 walks across 138 innings. He’s lined up for a two-start week against the Tigers and Padres next week.

Arraez’ home run was his fifth of the season. He hit a solo shot off Jake Irvin in the second inning. Arraez now has three RBI in his first two games with the Phillies.

Irvin gave up three hits, walked two and struck out three. He hasn’t completed six innings in any of his 13 starts this year. It’s tough to win games like that, which is why Irvin has only won two starts this year. He also has a 5.37 ERA. Irvin is lined up to face the Cubs at home next week.

McLain’s home run was his ninth of the year. He hit a solo shot off Jacob Lopez in the fifth inning. McLain is 4-for-19 (.210) in six games since returning from the injured list.

Butler’s home run was his seventh of the year. He hit a solo shot off Rhett Lowder in the first inning. Butler is now 8-for-27 (.296) with two home runs, six runs scored and four RBI in his last seven games.

Lopez gave up four hits, walked one and struck out nine. He now has a 2.13 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 21 1/3 innings over his last five starts. Lopez has a 5.43 xFIP this year, making him a risky streamer against the Rays at home next week. With 17 strikeouts in his last two starts and two starts on tap next week, Lopez will be worth the risk for strikeout-needy fantasy managers.

Elder was in complete control for this entire start. He retired 12 of the first 13 batters he faced before the Marlins scratched their lone run across in the fifth on a walk, double, and groundout. Then, he cruised through his final two frames to complete seven innings for the first time in nearly three months. He used his cutter to force a heap of lazy pop-ups and put this strong outing together while only forcing four total swings-and-misses. He now has a 3.69 ERA through 126 2/3 innings this season and is scheduled for a two-start week against the Mets and Diamondbacks coming up.

Pagán recorded one strikeout in a perfect ninth inning. It was his 13th save of the season. He continues to be a steady option in the ninth inning for the Reds.