MLB Player News

Avila didn't factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and three walks over five innings in a 3-2 victory over the Twins. He struck out three.

The 24-year-old right-hander was lifted after 70 effective pitches (46 strikes) with the score tied 1-1, denying Avila his second win of the season. He's looked good since rejoining the Royals in late April, posting a 2.84 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 22:15 K:BB through 25.1 innings over his last 10 appearances (three starts). Avila will look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is set to come at home next weekend against the Astros.

Miles (3-1) earned the win in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Orioles, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk with five strikeouts over 4.1 innings.

Miles entered in the second inning and allowed a homer to the second batter he faced but was able to settle in for the win, throwing 48 of 73 pitches for strikes and recording five strikeouts despite generating only five whiffs. It was a nice rebound after the 25-year-old surrendered six runs in a starting role Sunday, and he has now yielded two earned runs or fewer while working at least three frames in five of his past six outings. He owns a 3.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 39:13 K:BB across 40.2 innings this season, including two starts and 15 relief appearances.

Varland tossed a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Orioles. He did not record a strikeout.

Varland was called upon to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning and did so on just eight pitches. The 28-year-old is now a perfect 10-for-10 in save chances this season and has gone 17 straight appearances without allowing an earned run. He owns a 0.27 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 43:9 K:BB across 33.1 innings, with the lone knock on his fantasy value being that he's occasionally been deployed before the ninth frame in other high-leverage situations.

The Red Sox placed Moran on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to Friday, with left elbow inflammation, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Moran struck out three batters over two shutout innings during his last appearance Thursday, but he appears to have come away from the outing with elbow trouble. It's unknown whether his inflammation is the result of a structural issue, but he'll remain out for at least two weeks either way. Alec Gamboa was recalled from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move.

The Red Sox recalled Gamboa from Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.

Gamboa struck out two batters during a scoreless inning in his MLB debut May 5, and he has since posted a 1.89 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 19 frames at Triple-A. He'll replace Jovani Moran (elbow) on the active roster and give the Red Sox another fresh arm in the bullpen for Saturday's game against the Yankees. He could stay in the majors for a longer look if he continues to pitch well.

Barnett allowed a hit and two walks while striking out seven over four scoreless innings of relief in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Astros.

Entering after four-plus innings of five-run ball from starter Jack Perkins, Barnett was able to pitch the remainder of the game and did so without allowing a run while recording a game-high seven strikeouts. It marked the right-hander's first big-league appearance since being recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday and just his second outing of the season, with the first consisting of two scoreless innings April 19. While this appearance came in relief, Barnett made five starts with the Athletics last season and has continued to operate primarily as a starter in Triple-A. That experience could lead him to the starting rotation if Perkins continues to struggle or Kade Morris is unable to establish himself.

Eisert will serve as the White Sox's opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Phillies, Brooke Fletcher of Chicago Sports Network reports.

The top half of the Philadelphia lineup often features three tough left-handed hitters in Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper and Brandon Marsh, so the White Sox will have the left-handed Eisert open the contest in an effort to avoid an early deficit. Once Eisert works the first inning or two, right-hander Sean Burke is expected to take over in bulk relief.

Gray (2-0) earned the win in relief Friday against the Guardians, tossing 1.2 perfect innings while striking out two.

Gray entered the game in the sixth inning and did not allow a single hitter to reach base. Gray seems to be turning things around of late, as he's given up just one earned run over his last four outings while posting a 7:0 K:BB in 4.1 innings in that stretch. That represents a huge bounce-back after he gave up nine runs (five earned) over a two-game stretch against the Astros and Rockies between May 18 and May 25.

Avila is slated to start Saturday's game against the Twins.

After primarily working out of the bullpen throughout the season, Avila moved into the rotation this past Monday against the Reds. Avila came through with a serviceable performance in Cincinnati, picking up a win while striking out five batters and giving up one earned run on two hits and four walks across five innings. Avila tossed 86 pitches in that contest, so he should be capable of handling a traditional starter's workload moving forward.

Perkins (2-3) was tagged with the loss Friday against the Astros, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks across four innings. He struck out six.

The six punchouts represent the second-best mark in that category for Perkins this season, but overall, he wasn't very good in his return to the rotation while throwing just 49 of his 75 pitches for strikes. Considering that Aaron Civale (shoulder) and Luis Severino (shoulder) will remain on the injured list for several more weeks, Perkins' spot in the rotation should be safe for now. He should be making his next start in a tough matchup at home against the Brewers.