Jameson Taillon has been slowed by injuries and had testicular cancer last season. Nothing has stopped the Pirates right-hander through two starts. Taillon was dominant on Sunday, throwing a one-hitter with two walks and seven strikeouts in a 5-0 win over the Reds Sunday. The only hit was by pitcher Tyler Mahle. He is 2-0 with a 1.26 ERA, 0.49 WHIP and a 16:2 K:BB ratio.
Shohei Ohtani is showing his poor spring was a fluke. Ohtani took a perfect game into the seventh inning Sunday and Marcus Semien ended it with one out with a single. Ohtani pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing one hit, one walk and stuck out 12. He retired the first 18 batters, including 11 strikeouts. He generated 24 swings and misses. He is batting .389 with three home runs and seven  RBIs.
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Andrew McCutchen was off to a slow start in his first season with the Giants. The outfielder made up for it in one game. McCutchen hit a walk-off three-run homer in the bottom of the 14th inning to give the Giants a 7-4 win over the Dodgers Saturday night. McCutchen went 6-for-7.
Some were worried with Gerrit Cole going from the National League to the American League. If you read my analysis on the trade or listened to the shows, you would know this was wrong. Cole was a target for me in drafts and the first two games with Houston illustrate why. Cole threw seven scoreless innings, allowed five hits, walked none and struck out 11 against the Padres Saturday in a no-decision. In 14 innings, Cole has a 22:3 K:BB ratio.
There was talk the Mets might go with a committee at closer in the off-season, but it hasn’t been that way. Jeurys Familia is clearly the closer and converted a five-out save against the Nationals Saturday. He hasn’t allowed a run in five games.
Kenley Jansen showed improved velocity on Sunday, but was still sitting at 91-92 and allowed one hit with three strikeouts to pick up a save.
Clayton Kershaw has a 1.89 ERA and 1.11 WHIP, but is 0-2. He took a no-decision Sunday after pitching seven innings, allowing six hits, one run, one walk and struck out six.
Jake Arrieta made his Phillies debut and settled down after allowing three runs in the first inning. He went four innings and didn’t allow a run after the first. He allowed three hits, two earned runs, walked two and struck out five against the Marlins. He threw 74 pitches; 47 for strikes.
Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez was hit by a pitch and has a fractured right thumb. Cliff Pennington and Phil Gosselin are the likely replacements. Alex Blandino was pulled from a Triple-A game, so it doesn’t appear top prospect Nick Senzel will get the call yet.
Bryce Harper is off to a sizzling start. He went 3-for-4 with a home run and two walks Sunday. He is batting .357 with six home runs and 12 RBIs. He also homered on Saturday.
The struggles for Giancarlo Stanton continued over the weekend. He went 0-for-7 with five strikeouts Sunday. In the first ten games, he has 20 strikeouts and he’s batting .167.
Brandon Morrow faced one hitter going into Saturday. He saved that game and picked up another save Sunday for the Cubs.
While many closers are struggling, Diamondbacks closer Brad Boxberger is off to a great start. He picked up his fourth save Sunday and has struck out seven in five scoreless innings.
Tim Anderson picked up his fifth stolen base Sunday. He’s working deeper counts and has a .364 on-base percentage.
Braves pitcher Sean Newcomb struck out nine in six scoreless innings at Coors Field. He allowed five hits and walked none.
Trevor Bauer was terrific Saturday, but the Indians scored no runs. Bauer pitched eight innings and allowed one run, three hits, two walks and struck out eight in the loss.
Ian Kennedy threw six scoreless innings and allowed four hits and struck out eight in a 1-0 win over the Indians. He has allowed one run in 12 innings.
Bud Norris picked up a save Saturday for the Cardinals, but don’t run to the waiver wire. Greg Holland is expected to be with the team soon and he will close.
Braves closer Arodys Vizcaino struggled in a tie game against the Rockies in the bottom of the tenth inning Saturday. He got two outs, allowed one hit, one run and walked three, including the winning run. Â One of the walks was intentional. He bounced back Sunday with a 1-2-3 inning.
Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich didn’t play all weekend due to a sore oblique and was placed on the 10-day DL Sunday. This helps those with Domingo Santana, who will play every day.
Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo missed the weekend due to a sore back. He’s questionable for the Cubs’ home opener on Monday.
Tigers closer Shane Greene picked up his second save in a 1-0 win over the White Sox. He allowed one hit and struck out one.
White Sox starter Reynaldo Lopez had another good start, but took a loss in a 1-0 game. He went seven innings, allowed no earned runs, walked five and struck out five. He has a 0.69 ERA through two starts.
Alex Colome blew another save in his second straight appearance. He came into the eighth inning and allowed two runs, getting one out.
Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez made his season debut and wasn’t helped by shoddy defense. He went 3.2 innings and allowed five hits, three runs, two walks and struck out seven against the Rays.
Yankees placed infielder Brandon Drury on the 10-day DL with migraines and blurred vision and they placed pitcher CC Sabathia on the DL with a hip injury.
Padres pitcher Dinelson Lamet played catch from 90 feet Saturday and is progressing well. Lamet has been on the DL with a sore elbow and there’s no timetable for his return.
The A’s placed infielder Chad Pinder on the 10-day DL with a knee injury and called up Franklin Barreto. It’s unlikely he gets much playing time with Jed Lowrie, Marcus Semien and Matt Chapman in the infield.
Gregory Polanco was scratched from Saturday’s lineup with right foot discomfort. He fouled a ball off his foot on Friday, but stayed in the game. He returned to the lineup Sunday and hit his third homer of the year.
Brad Peacock picked up a save Sunday. Ken Giles was unavailable after pitching two straight games.
Xander Bogaerts hit a grand slam and drive in six runs on Saturday and he left Sunday’s game with a leg injury.
Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez hurt his calf Friday night and sat the next two days.
Mariners third baseman Ryon Healy was on crutches and in a walking boot Sunday. He will have an MRI after tweaking his ankle in a weight room mishap.
Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon played through some back tightness Saturday and was out of the lineup Sunday.
Giants pitcher Jeff Samardzija hopes to return around April 19. He will pitch in an extended spring training game Monday and then a rehab start Saturday.
The Indians placed outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall on the 10-day DL with a right calf strain. He could be out 4-6 weeks. Tyler Naquin was called up.
George Springer left Sunday’s game early with leg soreness. He’s expected to play Monday.
Dodgers pitcher Alex Wood has food poisoning and his start will be pushed back from Tuesday to Wednesday.
Zack Wheeler will start for the Mets on Wednesday.
The Rays placed Brad Miller on the 10-day DL with a groin strain.
