MLB Player News

Kikuchi didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against Baltimore, allowing one run on six hits and a walk in 4.1 innings. He struck out nine.

Kikuchi needed 88 pitches to record 11 outs, though he limited Baltimore to one run on Jordan Westburg's lead-off homer in the first while recording nine strikeouts for the third time this season. Kikuchi had gone at least six innings in his previous six starts -- he's 2-3 on the year with a 2.60 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 55:10 K:BB across 52 innings. The left-hander is currently on track to face the White Sox at home in his next start.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Blanco won't appeal his 10-game suspension, which will go into effect beginning with Wednesday's contest versus the Athletics, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Blanco received the 10-game ban earlier Wednesday after he was ejected in the fourth inning of his start in Tuesday's 2-1 extra-inning win over Oakland for violating the prohibitions on foreign substances. When he spoke to the media after the game, Blanco implied through an interpreter that he would appeal any suspension, but he's since accepted the banishment and won't be eligible to pitch again until May 26. The Astros won't be able to replace Blanco on the 26-man roster and will have to get by with a shorthanded pitching staff for the time being, though Jose Urquidy could soon return from the 15-day injured list to provide reinforcement for the rotation.

Scherzer (back) will attempt to play light catch Wednesday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Scherzer is dealing with a nerve problem which has affected his throwing arm. He was given a cortisone injection in his right thumb to combat the issue, but it's something he might just have to learn to pitch through. Scherzer revealed that he underwent MRIs on his triceps, elbow and neck to make sure there wasn't something else going on, and all of those tests came back negative. The righty had begun a rehab assignment last month, but he's been shut down for a couple weeks with the nerve issue. Scherzer initially went on the IL after offseaon back surgery. There's no timetable for his return to the Rangers' rotation.

Bradish did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Blue Jays, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out three.

Both runs against Bradish came on a Bo Bichette double in the third inning. The right-hander was pulled after throwing 85 pitches, as the Orioles continue to limit Bradish's pitch count after he missed the first month of the season with a strained UCL. The 27-year-old Bradish sports a 2.63 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB across his first three starts (13.2 innings) this season. He's currently lined up for a road matchup with the Cardinals early next week.

Major League Baseball announced Wednesday that Blanco has been suspended 10 games violating the prohibitions on foreign substances, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. He's expected to appeal the suspension.

Blanco was ejected from Tuesday's against the Athletics prior to the fourth inning after umpires examined his glove for a foreign substance. With MLB concurring with the umpires' assessment a day after investigating the matter, an automatic 10-game suspension was triggered for Blanco. The Astros haven't formally deactivated Blanco, so for now, the expectation is that he'll be able to pitch for Houston until the appeal process is completed.

The Athletics placed Wood (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with left rotator cuff tendinitis.

The transaction is retroactive to Monday, so Wood will be eligible to come off the IL as soon as May 28. Given Wood's long track record of injuries and history as a slow healer, however, fantasy managers who have been rostering the veteran southpaw should probably prepare for him to miss more than the minimum 15 days. Wood's shoulder issue had been bothering him during his most recent start this past Sunday in Seattle, prompting the Athletics to pull him after just two innings while his fastball velocity was down about two ticks from his season-long average. The Athletics haven't named an immediate replacement in the rotation for Wood, but Kyle Muller tossed four innings in relief of the lefty last Sunday and could be stretched out enough to step into the vacant starting role this weekend in Kansas City.

The Athletics optioned Basso to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Basso was up in the majors for just one day and didn't make an appearance. The left-hander could still be needed in the Athletics rotation at some point given the big club's mounting injury list, but for now he'll report to Las Vegas. Basso was torched for nine earned runs over 2.1 innings in his lone start with Las Vegas this season but has put up a 2.84 ERA and 32:3 K:BB over 25.1 frames with Double-A Midland.

The Athletics optioned Bido (finger) to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

Bido served as the Athletics' 27th man in last Wednesday's doubleheader with the Rangers. He started the second game of the twin bill and was dealt the loss after giving up four earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four across 2.2 innings in a 12-11 Rangers victory. Bido dealt with a blister on the middle finger of his throwing hand, so it's unclear if he'll be ready to start when his next turn through Las Vegas' rotation comes up.

Whitlock (oblique) struck out five and allowed two hits and one walk over 4.2 scoreless innings Wednesday in his rehab start with Triple-A Worcester.

Whitlock pumped in 40 of his 61 pitches for strikes and induced 12 swings and misses, looking as strong as ever while pitching in a game for the first time since April 16. Even though he didn't get fully stretched out for a traditional starter's workload Wednesday, Whitlock could return from the 15-day injured list to make his next appearance out of the Red Sox rotation. If the Red Sox decide he won't require an additional rehab appearance, Whitlock would likely start with the big club either Monday or Tuesday at Tampa Bay.

Francis (forearm) struck out four batters and allowed only one hit over two scoreless innings Tuesday in a rehab appearance for Triple-A Buffalo.

The right-hander was shut down in late April due to forearm tendinitis, but Francis' sharp rehab outing suggests he's just about ready to rejoin the big-league staff. Alek Manoah is coming off a strong start as the fifth starter, so Francis will likely be ticketed for long relief when he returns. After a couple rough outings in the rotation to begin the season, Francis has 2.84 ERA and 5:3 K:BB in 6.1 relief innings for the Blue Jays.