MLB Player News

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.

Canning (1-3) got the win over the Orioles on Tuesday after allowing three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings.

Canning navigated through four scoreless innings before the Orioles plated three runs against him in the fifth on four hits and a sacrifice. It's his second straight start allowing three runs or fewer though he has failed to get more than 16 outs in any of his five starts thus far. Canning has also kept hits in the ballpark, allowing no home runs over his last two starts after giving up five in his first three. He's now at a 7.50 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB in 24 innings and lines up for a start versus the Phillies next week.

Gausman (0-3) took the loss Tuesday versus the Royals after giving up three runs (all unearned) on seven hits and a walk while striking out two batters across 6.2 innings.

A strong start for Gausman fell apart in the fifth frame after a catching error by Vladimir Guerrero extended the inning, allowing the Royals to drive in all three of their runs. Although Gausman was tagged with the loss, there were plenty of positives to take away from his outing Tuesday, as it marked his longest start of the season. The 33-year-old righty has also now given up just one earned run in 11.2 innings across his last two appearances, giving him a decent amount of momentum heading into his next start -- tentatively scheduled for Sunday against the Dodgers.

Wacha didn't factor into the decision during Tuesday's win over Toronto, allowing two earned runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out four batters across 4.1 innings.

The Blue Jays reached base with consistency versus Wacha on Tuesday, but the 32-year-old was able to pitch himself out of jams more often than not. As a result, he required 96 pitches to get through 4.1 frames -- his shortest start of the season so far. He owns a 3.81 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 28.1 innings through his first five starts as a Royal and projects to pitch again Sunday in Detroit.