MLB Player News

Bradish (elbow) is throwing a bullpen session Saturday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

He threw a live batting practice session Thursday, so the fact he's throwing again suggests all went well and he is continuing his slow ramp up. Manager Brandon Hyde said after Bradish's bullpen session that the right-hander will embark on a rehab assignment in "the middle of next week," likely with Double-A Bowie.

Criswell was called up from Triple-A Worcester to start Saturday's game against the Angels, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The 27-year-old righty came into the year with little fanfare after working as a multi-inning reliever in the majors last year for Tampa Bay. However, he has a 0.87 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 60 percent groundball rate through 10.1 innings (two starts) at Triple-A. The new Red Sox regime has gotten the best out of its starting pitchers in the early going, so perhaps Criswell can keep that trend going. Nick Pivetta (elbow) was expected to play catch Saturday and there's a chance he could return shortly after the 15-day minimum.

Gil will be available out of the bullpen for Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Per manager Aaron Boone, Gil would likely start Monday's game in Toronto if he doesn't pitch Saturday, but if he is used, he would slot back into the rotation Wednesday against the Blue Jays. Gil is available either for length or a big spot, so he could pick up a win or even a save during the twin bill. Nestor Cortes will start Sunday against Cleveland.

Wacha (1-1) took the loss Friday, coughing up five runs on 10 hits and two walks over six innings as the Royals were downed 6-1 by the Mets. He struck out four.

The veteran right-hander managed to keep the ball in the park, but that might have been the only silver lining to his performance as Wacha tossed 56 of 84 pitches for strikes before getting the hook and managed only seven swinging strikes. Despite the stumble, he'll take a 4.00 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 17:4 K:BB through 18 innings into his next start, which is scheduled for next week on the road against the White Sox.

Lopez (1-2) was hit with the loss in Friday's game versus the Tigers after giving up five earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out seven batters across four innings.

Lopez got behind early after giving up a solo shot to Mark Canha in the first inning, but most of the damage done against the right-hander came in the fifth when he allowed four consecutive hitters to reach base to begin the inning. He left with the Twins down 4-0 and two runners on base before recording an out in the frame, and reliever Kody Funderburk allowed an additional run to score before closing out the inning. Lopez now holds a 4.86 ERA and 1.20 WHIP through his first three starts and will look to improve upon those numbers his next time out, which projects to come in Baltimore on Wednesday.

Skubal (2-0) earned the win Friday against Minnesota, striking out five batters over five scoreless frames while giving up two hits and two walks.

After throwing two perfect innings to begin the game, Skubal ran into a bit of trouble by allowing two runners to reach base during the third and fourth innings, but both times the left-hander was able to secure the final out and prevent any runs from coming across the plate. He now owns an impressive 2.08 ERA and 0.75 WHIP through 17.1 frames across his first three outings with a 20:4 K:BB. Skubal is tentatively scheduled to make his next start Wednesday against the Rangers, who currently own an AL-best .769 team OPS.

Miller (2-1) earned the win Friday, allowing one unearned run on three hits and three walks over 6.1 innings against the Cubs. He struck out four.

Miller continued his stellar start to the season. The unearned run he allowed only scored after he exited the game after 100 pitches. Miller has a 1.96 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB over his first 18.1 innings. He is scheduled to make his next start against the Reds at home.

Blackburn did not factor into the decision Friday against the Nationals, pitching 6.1 scoreless innings while allowing five hits and two walks. He struck out four.

Blackburn has now has thrown 19.1 consecutive innings without allowing a run over his first three starts. The 30-year-old right-hander's 0.00 ERA has come along with a 0.72 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB. Blackburn's next start is scheduled to come against the Cardinals at home.

France (0-2) allowed eight runs on eight hits and four walks over four innings Friday, striking out three and taking a loss against Texas.

France gave up one run through two innings before he was lit up for six runs in the third. Most of the damage that frame came via Jonah Heim's three-run blast. In each of his first two starts of 2024, France had yielded exactly three runs over 5.2 innings. Now, he owns a brutal 8.22 ERA with a 12:7 K:BB across 15.1 innings. France is currently in line for a tough home matchup with Atlanta next week.

Dunning (2-1) yielded three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings Friday, striking out three and earning a win over Houston.

Dunning served up a homer to Kyle Tucker in the first inning and Houston scratched two more runs across in the fourth. Dunning wasn't very efficient Friday, throwing just 46 of 80 pitches for strikes with only five whiffs. It was his lowest pitch total of the year but Texas was up 12-3 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. The 29-year-old righty has allowed exactly three runs in each of his first three starts this season. Dunning is lined up to take the mound in Detroit next week.