MLB Player News

Williams felt some discomfort in his right elbow in his most recent simulated game Saturday at the Guardians' spring facility in Arizona and will receive an injection and be shut down for seven days, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

The soreness was similar to what he first felt during spring training in a weighted-ball workout. The Guardians are hopeful that Williams can begin a throwing program in a week and ramp back up again, but it's certainly no guarantee that his recovery process will go that smoothly. Even in a best-case scenario, Williams looks set to remain on the 15-day injured list well into May.

Waldichuk (elbow) threw a successful 30-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, MLB.com reports. "Waldichuk looked really good and got his velocity up from his last bullpen," said A's manager Mark Kotsay. "He's trending in the right direction."

Waldichuk has now thrown three bullpen sessions over the last eight days alone, certainly an encouraging sign with respect to his surgically repaired elbow's strength. The left-hander is slated to throw additional bullpen sessions during the Athletics' road trip before facing hitters in a simulated game at some point next week, after which he'll head out on a rehab assignment, per Kotsay.

The Red Sox placed Bello on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right lat tightness.

Manager Alex Cora said that Bello felt discomfort following his most recent start Friday, but the team is optimistic the right-hander will be ready to return after the minimum 15 days, per Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe, The Red Sox will move Kutter Crawford up a day in the pitching schedule to start Thursday's series finale in Cleveland on regular rest.

Medina (knee) threw a successful 30-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, the Associated Press reports.

Medina's long recovery from a Grade 2 MCL sprain appears to be picking up steam in earnest. The right-hander is slated for multiple bullpen sessions during the current road trip, and if those go off without setbacks, he'll pitch to hitters in a simulated game at some point next week, per MLB.com.

Flexen is listed as the White Sox's scheduled starting pitcher for Friday's game versus the Rays at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Flexen has made his last two appearances as a reliever, working four scoreless innings behind Garrett Crochet in a 7-0 loss to the Phillies on Friday and 2.1 innings of one-run ball behind Jonathan Cannon in a 7-0 loss to the Twins on Monday. He'll be on three days' rest Friday, but Flexen shouldn't face any major workload restrictions as he steps back into the White Sox rotation. Flexen won't necessarily be in store for a long-term stay in the rotation, however, as he could be a candidate to head back to the bullpen when Mike Clevinger is likely to make his season debut in early May.

Stroman (2-1) picked up the win Tuesday, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk over 5.1 innings in a 4-3 win over the A's. He struck out nine.

The 32-year-old righty came close to his first double-digit strikeout performance since he was a rookie in 2014, but Stroman left the mound after 97 pitches (64 strikes) as some early inefficiency caught up to him. He's failed to complete six innings in any of his last three outings, but Stroman will take a 2.93 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 28:10 K:BB through 27.2 innings into his next start, which lines up to come on the road this weekend in Milwaukee.

Blackburn (2-1) took the loss Tuesday as the A's fell 4-3 to the Yankees, giving up four runs on five hits over six innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The 30-year-old righty's command was a little off in the first inning, and New York made him pay with four runs, including a two-run homer by Anthony Rizzo -- the first long ball Blackburn has served up this season. He kept his focus and shut the Yankees down the rest of the way, but the A's couldn't close the gap. Blackburn threw 98 pitches (63 strikes) before exiting, and he'll take a 2.03 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 23:8 K:BB through 31 innings into his next start, which lines up to come on the road this weekend in Baltimore.

Pepiot came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Tigers, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out four.

The 26-year-old right-hander produced his second straight quality start and third in five outings this season, tossing 52 of 80 pitches for strikes. Pepiot left the mound in line for his third win with Tampa out front, 2-1, but Colin Poche blew the save in the eighth inning. Pepiot will take a 3.77 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 31:10 K:BB through 28.2 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come early next week in Milwaukee.

Rodriguez (3-1) took the loss Tuesday against the Angels after allowing seven runs on 11 hits and a walk while striking out seven over 4.1 innings.

Rodriguez allowed a career-high 11 hits and nearly matched his career high with seven runs allowed. While the 4.1 innings pitched was a season low, he still was able to rack up seven strikeouts, which were his most since April 5. The Angels scored at least a run in each of the first four innings and 10 of the 14 balls put in play against Rodriguez were hard hit. The 24-year-old now sits at a 4.45 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 34:9 K:BB in 28.1 innings and will look to get back on track in a divisional showdown with the Yankees.

Maeda came away with a no-decision Tuesday, scattering three hits over five scoreless innings while striking out five in a 4-2 win over the Rays.

Tampa Bay couldn't get a runner past second base against Maeda, who fired 59 of 88 pitches for strikes in his best performance of the season to date. The veteran right-hander exited the game in line for his first win of the season, but Alex Faedo coughed up a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning. Maeda still carries a 5.96 ERA through 22.2 innings after serving up three homers in two different starts, but his 1.37 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB offer some hope that he can continue to chip away at the bloated figure. He lines up for a home outing early next week against the Cardinals.