MLB Player News

Kikuchi didn't factor into the decision Friday versus the Yankees, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out seven in 5.1 scoreless innings.

It was a strong bounce-back effort from Kikuchi, who allowed three runs over 4.1 innings in his first start of the year. The left-hander is coming off a breakout 2023 campaign in which he went 11-6 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 181:48 K:BB in 32 starts. He's currently slated to face the Mariners at home in his next outing.

Stroman did not factor into the decision Friday against the Blue Jays, allowing three hits and one walk over six scoreless innings. He struck out six.

Stroman was stellar in his home debut with the Yankees, but the team failed to provide the right-hander with any run support in an eventual 3-0 loss. He has yet to give up a run through his first two starts this season, allowing just seven hits and three walks over 12 innings. He's currently lined up to face the Marlins at home in his next outing.

France was activated from the paternity leave list Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

France was away for a few days this week while welcoming a new baby to the family. He is scheduled to start Saturday against the Rangers.

Lively (illness) allowed a hit and struck out three without walking a batter over three scoreless innings in his rehab start versus Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Lively began the season on the 15-day injured list, but he was solid in his first rehab appearance. The right-hander was in contention for a rotation spot during spring training prior to coming down with a respiratory virus. It's unclear what his role will be with the major-league team once he's activated -- that will likely depend on Carlos Carrasco's performance as the Guardians' fifth starter and the timeline for the return of Gavin Williams (elbow).

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Thursday that he expects Clevinger to make his season debut around May 1, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Clevinger's one-year, $3 million contract became official Thursday, and he was optioned to the rookie-level Arizona Complex League to get ramped up before appearing in a major-league game. The White Sox have been using four starters up to this point in the season, and that trend might continue until Clevinger is ready, with the club perhaps opting for some bullpen games when necessary. Clevinger posted a 3.77 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 110:40 K:BB over 131.1 innings last season.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz revealed Thursday that Nastrini has been battling an illness at Triple-A Charlotte, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Nastrini made his first start of the season for Charlotte on Wednesday and was bludgeoned for four runs on seven hits and two walks over just three innings, with Getz noting that the right-hander's stuff wasn't sharp, likely as a result of the illness. While Nastrini remains a candidate to start Monday in Cleveland, it's looking like the plan might be to keep him at Charlotte for a while, per James Fegan of SoxMachine.com. The Sox could be leaning toward filling the fifth slot in their rotation with bullpen games until Mike Clevinger is ready, which is expected to happen around May 1.

The Blue Jays designated Parsons for assignment Friday.

The right-hander earned a place on Toronto's Opening Day roster but surrendered six runs over five frames in two appearances. Parsons had a 4.52 ERA in 17 starts at Triple-A Buffalo last season, so he seems unlikely to generate significant interest on waivers.

Gipson-Long (groin) will begin a rehab assignment with Low-A Lakeland on Sunday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Gipson-Long has dealt with a left groin strain since early on in spring training and is finally ready to test things out in a game setting. While he could be ready for activation from the 15-day injured list in the next week or two, Gipson-Long seems likely to be sent to Triple-A Toledo at that point rather than being added to the big-league roster.

Lorenzen (neck) threw 70 pitches while allowing one run across four innings in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Lorenzen signed late in the spring and is using his stint on the injured list primarily to build up his pitch count. He made significant progress from his first outing when he threw 50 pitches, meaning it's realistic that he'll be with the Rangers for his next outing. Though it hasn't been confirmed, Lorenzen could make his season debut during the upcoming three-game set versus Oakland, which begins Tuesday.

Soroka (0-1) took the loss Thursday against the Royals, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out two over six innings.

It was an encouraging effort from Soroka after the right-hander allowed four runs over five innings in his first outing this season. Soroka struggled to a 6.40 ERA in seven starts last year with Atlanta after missing the previous two campaigns with a myriad of injuries. While Soroka should be locked into a starting role in Chicago, he's unlikely to offer much in terms of fantasy production. Soroka's currently lined up for a road matchup with the Guardians early next week.