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The 6-6 Colorado Rockies have made it through their rotation 2.4 times so far and each starter has had at least one road start and one home start (except for José Quintana, of course, who is on the IL with a hamstring injury).

We’ve seen some dominant performances and some not-so-dominant performances so it begs the question: how is the new Rockies’ pitching philosophy playing out in real time?

But before we answer that question, since we’re still in small sample size territory, I’d rather ask you this: how would you grade the starting rotation so far in 2026?

Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!

David Bednar had earned a save in each of his five appearances this season prior to Wednesday’s loss, but the closer has struggled recently, with his fastball velocity down a bit. 

Both Bednar and Aaron Boone said they are unconcerned about the dip with his four-seamer and his splitter, but the right-hander gave up a run for the third time in his last four outings in Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to the A’s. 

“It’s early in the season and the weather [is cold],” Bednar said. “It’s nothing to panic about.” 

Bednar could also be feeling the effects of recent consecutive appearances in which he combined to throw 73 pitches.

He struggled again against the A’s, as he allowed a pair of hits and the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly. 

In his last four games, Bednar has thrown 4 ¹/₃ innings and allowed eight hits, a walk and three runs, while striking out six. 

“I got ahead of guys and couldn’t put them away,’’ Bednar said of his performance Wednesday. “That can’t happen in a game like that. I got in a jam, tried to get out of it and unfortunately wasn’t able to.” 

In an interesting peek at what was and maybe what could be, Jasson Domínguez returned to center field Wednesday for the first time since 2024. 

Domínguez — who had begun his professional career in center then was moved to left field, where he exclusively played in the majors last season and where he had begun this season — was the center fielder for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in his eighth minor league game this year, going 0-for-5. 

With Domínguez moving over, Spencer Jones received his first start in left field this season. Aaron Boone said the Yankees want to give the top prospects looks at different spots. 

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“You never know when things pop up,” the manager said. 

Injuries pop up and sometimes so does underperformance. The Yankees major league outfield is filled — with Cody Bellinger in left, Trent Grisham in center, Aaron Judge in right, Giancarlo Stanton at DH and Randal Grichuk as a righty bat off the bench — which has meant the Yankees have a star-studded prospect outfield at the top level of the minors. 

With the outfield remaining healthy, neither Domínguez nor Jones had a real shot at cracking the Opening Day roster. Boone said he was happy with Domínguez’s spring at-bats, particularly a few later in the Grapefruit League as a righty, including launching a home run against Philadelphia lefty Tanner Banks. The switch-hitting Domínguez has struggled in the minors and majors from the right side. 

“I know he’s had a homer and an extra-base hit from the right side down there,” Boone said. “I saw him make a really good play in left field the other day in their day game that I was watching. So off to a pretty good start.” 

If Domínguez and Jones prove capable at both the corners and center field, the Yankees would be able to pick the better performer when they have a major league need. That need could arise out of injury or if, say, Grisham is not able to replicate his strong 2025 season. 

Carlos Rodón was set to throw two simulated innings during a bullpen session. The lefty, whose progress from offseason elbow surgery was paused because of a tight hamstring last week, was able to throw through the setback. 

Boone was not immediately sure of the next step for Rodón, who had been close to starting a rehab assignment before the hamstring issue. 

“We want to make sure he’s in a good spot before he goes and does something live or in a game situation,” Boone said. 

When the Yankees travel home from a series in Tampa this weekend, they expect Anthony Volpe to join them. 

Volpe, who has been getting at-bats at the club’s spring facility, could start a rehab assignment next week, Boone said, “but we’ll see in the next few days.” 

Honored as 2025 Silver Slugger Award winners before the game: Judge (outfield), Jazz Chisholm Jr. (second base) and the entire Yankees offense, which won the team award.

Well the Braves are quietly cruising so far this season, with a strong 8-5 record and tied for the MLB lead in run differential. The rotation hasn’t been a weakness yet overall, though the fifth spot had been pretty rough, and while the offense hasn’t been truly humming, only 3 teams in MLB have scored more runs. With Sean Murphy and Spencer Strider seemingly only a few weeks away from their return and further reinforcements coming later on with Ha-Seong Kim and potentially a handful of talented pitchers, it sure feels like the Braves could be near the top of the standings this season based on the first two weeks of baseball. When Ronald Acuna gets going and Austin Riley recovers some of his form at the plate, this team could be a force to be reckoned with at full strength.

Braves News

Reynaldo Lopez received a 7 game suspension for his brawl with Jorge Soler, which he appealed down to 5 games, avoiding a missed start.

Sean Murphy will be resuming his rehab assignment in AAA Gwinnett, as his return to MLB is seemingly approaching rapidly.

The Braves finished their West Coast trip with a win against the Angels, as they have still not lost a series this season.

MLB News

Guardians’ starting shortstop Gabriel Arias is set to miss a month or two with a hamstring strain.

Orioles’ starter Zach Eflin will get Tommy John surgery, ending his season and perhaps eating into some of his 2027 season.

Astros’ Cristian Javier left his start with shoulder tightness on Wednesday.

Right-hander Dawson Netz was promoted from South Bend to Knoxville. He hadn’t yet pitched for South Bend this year and pitched for both teams last season.

Everybody wins!

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs rained all over the parade of the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), 12-4.

Charlie Barnes started and got the win after allowing just two runs on four hits over five innings. Both runs came on a two-run home run in the fourth by Kameron Misner. Barnes struck out four and walked no one.

Barnes has now pitched in three games this year and is 3-0, although this was his first start.

The I-Cubs took an early lead when second baseman Pedro Ramirez hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first. It was Ramirez’s fourth home run of the year already. His career-high in a season is only eight. He also hit an RBI double in the sixth inning, giving him three total runs batted in today. Ramirez went 2 for 5 and scored twice.

In the second inning, catcher Eric Yang made it 5-0 with a three-run home run. He also chipped in an RBI single in the third inning that made it 6-0. Yang went 3 for 4 with a double, the home run and four total RBI. He scored twice.

In the sixth inning, third baseman BJ Murray cranked a three-run home run, which was also his fourth home run this year. Murray went 2 for 5.

First baseman Jonathon Long went 2 for 5 with an RBI double in the sixth. Long scored twice.

The Ramirez home run.

Yang’s home run.

Long’s double went in the the right-center field gap.

Murray’s home run.

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies took out the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Angels), 8-7 on a walk-off two-run single by Ariel Armas.

Tyler Schlaffer’s season debut had some good and some bad. The bad was that he gave up three runs on three hits over three innings. The good was that he struck out six and walked just one.

Erian Rodriguez relieved Schlaffer and his appearance was pretty much all bad. Rodriguez put the Smokies down 7-4 after giving up four runs on four hits and three walks over three innings. He struck out just one.

Netz kept the Trash Pandas in check with two scoreless innings of relief in his season debut. Evan Taylor pitched the top of the ninth and got the win. Taylor allowed a one-out single, but no other baserunners. He struck out two.

Arias pinch-hit for Ethan Hearn in the eighth inning, flew out and then stayed in the game to catch the top of the ninth. He came to the plate with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth and delivered a two-run single up the middle to win the game.

Left fielder Jordan Nwogu hit a solo home run in the third inning. Nwogu was 2 for 4 and scored twice. He was also hit by a pitch.

Center fielder Carter Trice was 2 for 4 with two runs scored. He was intentionally walked in the ninth to face Armas.

Third baseman Karson Simas went 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored. He also singled home the first run of the game in the second inning.

Shortstop Jefferson Rojas was 2 for 5 with a double.

Seiya Suzuki took two at-bats as the designated hitter before exiting. He struck out in the first inning and walked in the second inning. He may have had a plane to catch.

Here’s Nwogu’s home run.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs mauled the Peoria Chiefs (Cardinals), 13-1.

It was a great first start of the year for Brooks Caple, who got the win after pitching five innings and allowing just one unearned run on one hits. He dominated the plate with seven strikeouts and no walks. He did hit one batter.

Alfredo Romero was just as good, getting a four-inning save. Romero gave up just one hit and no runs. He struck out five and walked no one.

Shortstop Angel Cepeda opened the scoring with a two-run single in the third inning. Cepeda wasn’t done as he had another RBI single in the fourth. The final line on Cepeda was 3 for 5 with a walk and the three RBI. He also stole a base and scored once.

Third baseman Reginald Preciado also had a great game, going 2 for 5 with a solo home run in the third inning. Preciado scored twice.

Catcher Justin Stransky hit his first professional home run in the seventh inning with two men on. He had earlier hit an RBI single and a sacrifice fly, giving him five RBI on the night. (That doubles his career total in one night.) Stransky was 2 for 4 and scored twice.

Center fielder Kane Kepley doubled twice in a 2 for 6 game. He also stole third base and scored twice.

Second baseman Drew Bowser was 2 for 5 with two doubles. He drove home two and scored twice.

First baseman Matt Halbach was 3 for 5. He had one RBI and scored once.

Right fielder Kade Snell went 2 for 5 with a double and one run scored.

Preciado’s home run.

One of Bowser’s doubles.

Stransky’s first professional home run.

One of Kepley’s doubles.

Some nifty defense at third base by Preciado.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans went to 5-0 with a 14-9 win over the Columbia Fireflies (Royals).

Thomas Frank started and turned in a solid 3.2 scoreless innings, Frank allowed on hit. He walked three and struck out three.

Luis A. Reyes had a pretty disastrous performance in relief of Frank. He entered the game with two outs in the fourth and after walking the first batter, he got a pop up to end the inning. Then Reyes came on to pitch the fifth inning and walked the first five batters before he was pulled from the game. All five of those walks came around to score.

Edwardo Melendez came on to relieve Reyes with the bases loaded and no outs and he got out of the inning, but not before allowing all three inherited runners to score. However, Melendez was awarded the win as the “most effective” pitcher since Frank didn’t go five. Melendez’s final line was no runs (of his own) on three hits over two innings. He did strike out five and walked one.

Shortstop Ty Southisene went 2 for 5 with a bases-loaded walk and an RBI triple in the fourth inning. He drove in four runs total.

Left fielder Jose Escobar was 3 for 6 with a double. He also had four RBI and scored once.

Second baseman Ludwing Espinoza went 2 for 3 with a double and three walks. He scored twice and drove in the first run of the game with a single in the second inning.

First baseman Josiah Hartshorn was 2 for 4 with two walks and a stolen base. Hartshorn scored one run.

DH Michael Carico went 2 for 4 with two walks. He scored twice and drove home one.

Catcher Logan Poteet went 2 for 5 with a sacrifice fly. He scored twice.

The Pelicans won despite their pitching staff issuing 12 walks. It helped that their lineup walked 16 times.

Jose Escobar’s double.

There's not much to critique the 2026 Yankees so far this season.

Even with their 3-2 loss to the Athletics, the Yankees (8-3) have the best record in the American League and lead their division by 2.5 games. But what Wednesday night's defeat showcased was that the offense will have its off days, but for Ryan McMahon, those days seem more common, especially early on this year.

McMahon has never been a consistent hitter in his career. His two best seasons came in 2019 and 2021 with the Rockies when he batted around .250 and slugged 23-24 home runs. But across his first 10 games this season, the veteran infielder is 2-for-26 after going 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts -- the second punchout being the final out of Wednesday's loss with him as the tying run.

"If I knew, I don’t think I’ll be in the slow start," McMahon said after the game. "Hey, I’m grinding. I’m not happy about it, I’m sure other people aren’t. At the end of the day, it’s about the team winning. I’ll keep working and try to turn it around."

McMahon, who is best known for and still is a plus-defender, has struggled ever since being acquired by the Yankees at last year's deadline. In 54 games with the Yanks in 2025, McMahon slashed .208/.308/.333 with an OPS of .641 to go along with four home runs, eight doubles and 18 RBI. 

The third baseman took questions from the media following the loss on Wednesday and when asked about the whys and hows of his slow start, McMahon answered with every variation of "I don't know" you could think of. 

It's an early-season issue that manager Aaron Boone and the organization hope resolves itself. In the meantime, Boone has changed up the lineup, benched McMahon for Amed Rosario against certain pitching matchups and even started McMahon at shortstop to get both him and Rosario in the lineup. 

Wednesday was McMahon's first start at short, and the Yankees skipper said he looked "great" and made tough plays "look routine." But defense has never been the problem with McMahon wherever he plays on the diamond. And with Jose Caballero struggling at the plate while the team awaits the return of Anthony Volpe, the left side of the Yankees infield needs a jolt. 

Boone believes McMahon can provide that and defended his third baseman by pointing out how early it is in the season and that he will continue to use him in the lineup as he sees fit. 

"Mac's a good major league hitter. It's 10 games in, okay?" Boone said. "He's scuffling right now, but the reality is, the last three games, he's been on base four times too, with walks and hits and big at-bats.

"We want him to improve even who he's been obviously in his career, and he's off to a slow start right now, but a number of our guys are, as well. He'll get it rolling and trust that he will, especially against some of these good right-handed matchups."

Boone is correct that it's very early in the season, and that others on the team have not hit to the back of their baseball cards. But it's also hard to ignore that after 65 games as a Yankee, McMahon hasn't shown that consistent offensive presence the team needs.

Aaron Boone was asked what he's seen from Ryan McMahon at the plate:

"Mac's a good major league hitter. It's 10 games in, okay? He's scuffling right now, but the reality is, the last three games, he's been on base four times too, with walks and hits and big at-bats.

We want him… pic.twitter.com/1A2jSjoz2H

— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) April 9, 2026

J.D. Martinez vowed as a young player that if he were fortunate enough to have a successful career, he would become a mentor to others.

That stemmed from his early days with the Astros, when he sought advice from veterans and discovered a hard truth.

“I was an up-and-down guy that barely played and I would reach out to the veteran guys, and at that time it was a little different,” Martinez said Wednesday at Citi Field before the Mets’ 7-2 loss to the Diamondbacks. “The veteran guys weren’t very nice. I remember seeing them and asking questions and them kind of never answering it and blowing me off and making my life a nightmare.”

Martinez became a mentor to many, including in his lone season with the Mets in 2024. That impact with teammates led to the organization last week hiring the 38-year-old Martinez as a special assistant.

He began his new role on this homestand, serving as a “resource” within the clubhouse.

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“I had quite a roller coaster throughout my career from being released to being a top prospect, just my rise and then going in and retiring,” said Martinez, a six-time All-Star who played 14 seasons. “There’s a lot of things I have experienced where I feel I can relate to a lot of those guys in that clubhouse … whether it’s the offense, the strategy, the mentorship. I am just here to help out any way I can.”

During his Mets tenure, Martinez took a special interest in Mark Vientos, who had a breakout season before regressing last year.

“He was an unbelievable player — he still is, he still is a great player,” Martinez said. “I know he struggled last year, but he’s got the ability. It’s in there. And for him, I think it’s just one of those things, a little bit of guidance could go a long way with him. He’s off to a good start this year.”

Martinez’s role is similar to the one Carlos Beltrán has within the organization. Beltrán has become a visible presence around the team in recent seasons.

It’s a new-look Mets team following an offseason overhaul to the roster.

“I would argue this team is more talented than the 2024 team by far,” Martinez said of the group that reached the NLCS. “This is a really good group. I played with and against a lot of these guys.”

Martinez was asked what advice he would give players about playing in New York.

“Ignore all you guys,” Martinez said, referring to the media. “The fans are great, it’s just the Northeast and they are tough. You have got to kind of take it with a grain of salt. When I was here, the famous quote, ‘We suck, we all suck together.’ That is kind of the mindset you have got to have.”

If he didn’t have bad luck, he wouldn’t have any luck at all.

Pitcher Packy Naughton, in the midst of an MLB comeback attempt following multiple arm injuries, left his 2026 debut on Wednesday with the Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate after just three pitches with another apparent injury.

Facing White Sox farmhand Korey Lee in the bottom of the sixth inning, the left-hander’s 1-1 pitch missed well outside the zone, and left Naughton in obvious discomfort.

The 29-year-old Naughton immediately grabbed at his left elbow and bent over in pain as Redbirds catcher Leo Bernal and the training staff tended to him.

Naughton then walked off the field with a trainer while clutching his left elbow.

“That’s never a good sign,” Charlotte Knights announcer Matt Swierad said during the broadcast. “Hopefully nothing too serious there, just something he was trying to be cautious about.”

Naughton was shaping up as a feel-good story in 2026 after missing most of the past three seasons.

Absolutely HEARTBREAKING stuff.

Packy Naughton throws the ball. He is hurt afterward. This poor young man. pic.twitter.com/fGaQfLtneu

— Kyle Reis, 58% Neanderthal (@kyler416) April 9, 2026

He logged a 1.29 ERA over seven appearances in a “resurgent” spring training with the Cardinals, ramping up to potentially making his first MLB appearance since 2023.

“Even after the first pitch, it was kind of a sigh of relief,” Naughton told St. Louis’ NBC affiliate KDSK during spring training about his return. “Elbow was intact, everything was good to go. All the work I’ve done; it paid off.”

The Boston native tore his flexor tendon after just four scoreless outings with St. Louis to begin the 2023 season, which sidelined him for the remainder of the year.

As he rehabbed in the Cardinals’ minor league system in July 2024, Naughton re-tore the flexor tendon while also tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, requiring season-ending Tommy John surgery.

The injury and subsequent surgery also caused him to miss the entire 2025 season.

The Cardinals re-signed Naughton to a two-year deal in the offseason with the understanding he would miss all of 2025, but would hopefully be a factor in 2026.

During his time away from the field, Naughton got his real estate license, which he told STLSportsPage.com felt like “competing again.”

“I knew I was missing all of 2025 and I knew I needed to do something that wasn’t going to drive me crazy being in South Florida during the summer,” Naughton told the outlet about juggling baseball and his second job as a realtor.

Naughton was drafted by the Reds in the ninth round of the 2017 MLB Draft before being traded to the Angels in August 2020.

He made his MLB debut with the Angels the following season, but was designated for assignment after making seven appearances.

The Cardinals scooped Naughton off the waiver wire, and he made a career-high 27 appearances during the 2022 campaign.

In parts of three MLB seasons, the swingman sports a 4.98 ERA across 37 games.

Reynaldo Lopez might not miss his next scheduled start after all.

The Braves starting pitcher, after working things out with MLB, got his suspension for his role in Tuesday night’s benches-clearing brawl reduced from seven games to five, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Here’s an angle of the brawl where you can see Reynaldo Lopez land a blow on Jorge Soler with the baseball in his hand pic.twitter.com/dSucXM4T9c

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 8, 2026

That should keep him in line to pitch Tuesday against the Marlins, USA Today noted.

Lopez was in the middle of the fray in Anaheim last night when he threw a pitch high and inside that Angels designated hitter Jorge Soler — a former Braves teammate — took exception to.

Soler then charged the mound, throwing punches at Lopez, who threw punches in kind, but with a ball in his right hand, connecting on a blow to Soler’s helmet and face.

“It’s just a shame, the situation and how things unfolded,” López said through a translator, per MLB.com. “On my part, there was never any intent to hit him at any point. So, again, it’s just a shame.”

As things continued to escalate and Soler charged Lopez from the pitcher’s mound to the first base line, several Braves tackled the Angels DH, with Atlanta skipper Walt Weiss among those in the fray.

“I love Soler. We were teammates here,” Weiss told reporters. “But that’s a big man, and so I just felt I’ve gotta get him off his feet because he’s gonna hurt somebody. And so that was my instinct, just to get in there and get Jorge off his feet, yeah, because he was on a warpath.”

Soler was suspended for seven games, though he is appealing. On Wednesday against Atlanta, he homered for the second straight day in an 8-2 Angels loss.

Both players also received undisclosed fines for their roles in the brawl.

Lopez is off to a strong start in 2026 with a 1.15 ERA in three starts.