Milwaukee Brewers starting Pitcher Eric Lauer has allowed five earned runs over three innings through two appearances this spring. Lauer and the Brewers are hoping he will bounce back from a rough 2020 season in which he allowed 16 earned runs over 11 innings, but he has not shown any signs of improvement thus far in the spring. He will have a few more opportunities to right the ship, but the Brewers can still option him, so he is going to have to show some results to avoid opening the regular season in the minors. The team has given him every chance to land a rotation spot, but his pitching has not been effective. His 8.3K/9 is playable, but these rations aren't too appealing to fantasy players.
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Jose Berrios was saddled with the loss in Wednesday's nightcap against the Red Sox. Berrios pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on four hits with five strikeouts compared to three walks. The 26-year-old hurler was cruising along through three frames before the wheels fell off in the fourth, as he loaded the bases and proceeded to walk a run in before giving way to Tyler Duffey, who promptly surrendered two runs. Still, Berrios owns an impressive 25:6 strikeout-to-walk ratio through three starts with a 3.38 ERA. He'll next pitch on Tuesday against the Athletics, who have been slumping to start the season.
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler allowed three runs in 6 1/3 innings pitched in his first start as an opposing player with fans in Citi Field. The Mets got to Wheeler early with two runs in the first inning, but Wheeler settled in and didn't allow another run until the seventh inning when a runner he left on base scored after Wheeler's departure. He struck out six and is sporting a 30 percent strikeout rate early in the season. That rate will likely come down as the season goes on, but Wheeler is off to a nice start in his second season with the Phillies. Wheeler is a must-roster pitcher in all formats and can be started in his next outing versus the Giants.
The Cincinnati Reds moved right-hander Michael Lorenzen (shoulder) from the 10-day to the 60-day injured list on Wednesday to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for left-hander Phillip Diehl, who they claimed off of waivers. The move doesn't bode well for Lorenzen's recovery as he was originally only expected to miss one or two starts after suffering a shoulder strain during Cactus League play. Lorenzen will now be on the injured list until May 31 at the latest, with the Reds remaining hopeful that he will be able to return to action at that point. Lorenzen received a platelet-rich plasma injection and is expected to avoid having surgery.
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Jose De Leon will be shifted to the bullpen this week to accommodate the return of Sonny Gray (back) from the injured list. Gray will be activated to start against the Cleveland Indians on Saturday. Gray was placed on the injured list at the beginning of the season after developing back spasms during Cactus League play in the spring. De Leon made two starts for the Reds, posting a 7.71 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, and 18 strikeouts across 9 1/3 innings of work. The move to the bullpen zaps what little fantasy appeal De Leon had.
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Tyler Mahle pitched well but took a hard-luck loss at the hands of the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday. Mahle allowed just two runs (one earned) over five innings while striking out seven but the Giants went on to win 3-0. Mahle has been solid this season, but he has not been very efficient with his pitches as he needed 89 to get through the fifth inning on Wednesday and has yet to make it beyond the fifth inning in any of his three starts on the year. Fantasy gamers will take his production, however, as he has a 1-1 record, 1.93 ERA, and 22 strikeouts across 14 innings of work. Mahle lines up to start against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
St. Louis Cardinals utility player Tommy Edman extended his hitting streak to 10 games on Wednesday, as he went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk in a loss to the Nationals. He only has one game this season in which he went hitless, but he drew a walk in that appearance to give him a 12-game on-base streak to open the year. He hasn't shown much power, but that's not stopping him from getting results, as he is slashing .294/.357/.412 with a double, a triple, a home run, three steals and a 5:5 K:BB ratio.
Minnesota Twins outfielder Alex Kirilloff was returned to the team's alternate site following Wednesday's doubleheader with the Red Sox, according to Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com. The move is not a surprise, as Kirilloff was added as the team's 27th man for the doubleheader. Making his major league debut, Kirilloff went 0-for-3 with a strikeout while playing in both games of the doubleheader. He should get more playing time in Minnesota throughout the year, as he is currently the team's No. 2 prospect.
Detroit Tigers outfielder Nomar Mazara left Wednesday's game in the middle of a plate appearance after he appeared to injure himself on a swing, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. JaCoby Jones entered the game as a pinch hitter to finish the plate appearance and drew a walk to load the bases in the top of the fourth inning. There is no word yet on what Mazara may have injured. Mazara has had a good start to the season, slashing .250/.289/.417 with two home runs and five RBI in 12 games so far.
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (forearm) is still dealing with tightness in his forearm as of Wednesday, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Archer landed on the 10-day injured list with forearm tightness on Saturday, and he had performed some light catch on Wednesday, but manager Kevin Cash said that Archer was still feeling it a little bit. This update doesn't necessarily mean that Archer will be out for a prolonged amount of time, but it is something managers should keep an eye on in case his IL stint isn't as short as Archer originally hoped it would be.
Boston Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo combined for five hits including his second home run of the year in a doubleheader sweep of the Twins on Wednesday. After going 2-for-4 in Game 1, Verdugo went 3-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Game 2. Wednesday saw Verdugo continue his recent hot streak, as he is now 7-for-16 with two home runs and six RBI over his last four games. He remains one of the better fantasy outfielders in the game.
