MLB Player News

Lively (0-1) took the loss Wednesday, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk with seven strikeouts over five innings against Boston.

Although Lively was impressive in his first start of the campaign, he wasn't as good as Tanner Houck, who pitched a complete-game shutout. Lively ran into a bit of trouble in the third and fourth innings, bringing in Pablo Reyes on a balk in the third before surrendering a solo homer to Connor Wong in the fourth. With Gavin Williams (elbow) set to miss at least one more trip around the rotation, Lively should receive some opportunities to build on Wednesday's performance. His first chance to do so is tentatively set to come Tuesday in a rematch with the Red Sox.

Houck improved to 3-1 in Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Guardians, allowing three hits and no walks while striking out nine over nine shutout innings.

Houck was absurdly efficient in his first career complete-game shutout, needing just 94 pitches (69 strikes) to finish nine frames. He hasn't allowed a run in three of his four starts this season and has punched out seven or more in all but one start. He boasts a 1.35 ERA with a 28:2 K:BB over 26.2 innings in 2024, a massive jump from his 5.01 ERA from a season ago. Houck is tentatively scheduled for a rematch with the Guardians on Tuesday.

Singer did not factor into the decision in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the White Sox, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out five.

All of the damage against Singer came on Paul DeJong's two-run homer in the second inning. The right-hander hadn't given up more than a single run in his three starts prior to Wednesday -- Singer's now allowed four runs in 23.1 innings this season, all coming via the home-run ball. Overall, he's 2-0 with a 1.54 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB. Singer's next start is tentatively scheduled for early next week against Toronto.

Cannon did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Royals, allowing one run on three hits and a walk while striking out three over five innings.

Cannon turned in a strong effort in his first major-league appearance, holding Kansas City to a lone run in the second inning. The 23-year-old right-hander won't offer high strikeout totals, but he's demonstrated advanced control and an ability to generate groundballs thanks to a sinker that he threw 39 percent of the time in his debut. At this point it's not entirely clear whether Cannon will stick in the rotation.

The Red Sox placed Whitlock on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a left oblique strain, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Whitlock suffered the injury during Tuesday's start against the Guardians. Manager Alex Cora suggested that Whitlock is dealing with a low-grade strain, and the Red Sox are hopeful that the right-hander will be ready to return from the IL when first eligible. It's not yet clear who will take Whitlock's spot in the rotation, but Chase Anderson is a candidate.

Lopez didn't factor in the decision Wednesday against the Orioles after he gave up one run on two hits and no walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

The right-hander allowed nine runs (eight earned) while losing his past two outings but rebounded with a quality start Wednesday, with the only blemish against him being a solo homer by Gunnar Henderson. Lopez now has a 3.97 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 23:4 K:BB over 22.2 innings through four starts this season. He lines up for a favorable home matchup against the White Sox next week.

The Guardians optioned Curry to Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday, Joe Noga of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Despite tossing five innings of two-hit, shutout ball in his return from the 15-day injured list in Monday's 6-0 win over the Red Sox, Curry will end up moving back to Triple-A just two days later. With injuries having already tested the Guardians' rotation depth early on this season, Curry could end up staying on a regular starting schedule in Columbus. Curry doesn't look like he'll be the top choice to take Gavin Williams' (elbow) spot in the rotation, however, as Ben Lively (illness) will come off the 15-day IL to start Wednesday and could continue to make regular starts until Williams is ready to make his season debut.

The Guardians reinstated Lively (illness) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday versus the Red Sox in Boston.

Cleveland moved reliever Eli Morgan (shoulder) to the 15-day IL in a corresponding move to make room for Lively, who will be making his Guardians debut Wednesday. Lively got stretched out to 5.1 innings and 55 pitches in his second and final rehab start with Triple-A Columbus last week, so he could have some minor workload restrictions in place in his return from the IL. With Shane Bieber (elbow) out for the season and Xzavion Curry getting optioned to Triple-A following a spot start Monday, Lively could be in line to make multiple turns through the Cleveland rotation until Gavin Williams (elbow) is ready to return from the IL.

Suarez allowed three hits and no walks over 5.2 scoreless innings during Wednesday's 4-2 win versus Minnesota. He struck out four and didn't factor in the decision.

The 34-year-old was a surprise selection to start Tuesday, which was his first MLB appearance since 2017, but he pitched well with 14 swinging strikes on 75 pitches and allowed just four baserunners. According to Jake Rill of MLB.com, manager Brandon Hyde said Suarez will get additional turns through the rotation, which isn't a major surprise given his performance and the numerous injuries Baltimore is managing to its rotation.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Verlander (shoulder) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to make his season debut Friday against the Nationals, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander got through a bullpen session Tuesday with no issues, clearing the way for his season debut after he completed his rehab program for right shoulder inflammation. The 41-year-old went four innings and threw 77 pitches in his last rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi over the weekend, allowing five earned runs on seven hits and one walk in the process. Verlander should be able to handle around 90 pitches Friday, although it's unclear whether the Astros have a specific pitch count in mind.