MLB Player News

Bello is set to pitch in bulk relief behind opener Tyler Samaniego during Friday's game against Cleveland, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.

Bello will follow an opener for the fourth time in his last five outings, a strategy that has led to great success for the 27-year-old. He's posted a minuscule 0.98 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with 17 strikeouts over 18.1 innings in his three appearances out of the bullpen so far this season.

Tolle completed 4.2 innings against Atlanta on Thursday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out seven batters in a no-decision.

Tolle had his swing-and-miss stuff working, tallying 18 whiffs and seven punchouts, the fourth time in seven starts this season where he's struck out seven-plus. However, after he began with three scoreless frames, Atlanta got to the southpaw for two runs in the fourth inning. Tolle was then lifted with two outs in the fifth having thrown 94 pitches (64 strikes). While it wasn't his most efficient or dominant outing, Tolle held his own against a tough opponent. He's had a strong campaign, posting a 2.61 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 46:11 K:BB through 41.1 innings spanning seven appearances. Tolle is projected to make his next start at home against Baltimore.

Woods Richardson (0-7) allowed five runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four batters over 2.2 innings in a loss to the White Sox on Thursday.

Woods Richardson was called upon to start after Kendry Rojas was a late scratch due to an elbow issue. The starting role wasn't new to Woods Richardson -- he started for the 10th time through 12 outings this season -- but the last-minute adjustment may have played a part in his poor outing. The right-hander struggled with his control, throwing just 40 of 67 pitches for strikes while issuing three free passes, with all three coming around to score. The final blow for Woods Richardson was a bases-clearing double by Randal Grichuk, which ended the hurler's outing after just 2.2 frames. Rojas had been scheduled to work as Minnesota's sixth starter Thursday, and that may not have been a long-term rotation structure, so Woods Richardson could return to the bullpen after Thursday's rough outing.

Martin (8-1) earned the win over Minnesota on Thursday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five batters over six innings.

Martin breezed through four scoreless frames before yielding a run on a walk and a double in the fifth. That was the only tally the Twins were able to put on the board against the right-hander, who picked up his third victory in as many starts. Martin induced 14 whiffs and struck out five batters en route to his fourth quality start across his past five outings. He's come into his own this season and has emerged as an ace for a promising White Sox squad, as he's tied for second in the majors with eight wins while posting a 2.00 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 71:14 K:BB through 67.2 innings. Martin is lined up to make his next start on the road in a rematch with Minnesota.

Flaherty (0-7) took the loss against the Angels on Thursday, completing 5.2 innings and allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking nine batters.

Flaherty was dominant at times, racking up 20 whiffs and nine punchouts. He held the Angels scoreless through four frames, but he lost steam in a three-run fifth inning, and the lack of run support from Detroit's offense saddled Flaherty with yet another defeat. The veteran right-hander is not only tied for the MLB lead with seven losses, he's also yet to win a game through 12 starts. Flaherty is at least providing his fantasy managers with punchouts -- he has 64 over 52.2 frames -- but his 5.81 ERA and 1.61 WHIP have landed him on many waiver wires.

Rodriguez (2-1) earned the win over Detroit on Thursday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five batters over five innings.

Rodriguez allowed a second-inning solo homer to Wenceel Perez, but that was the only run the Tigers managed against him. In fact, Rodriguez yielded just one other hit -- a first-inning single -- and retired 10 of the 11 batters he faced following the long ball. This was easily the left-hander's best outing since making his season debut May 17, as he gave up 11 runs across 9.1 frames over his other two starts. Rodriguez will look to build upon Thursday's performance next time he takes the mound, which lines up to be at home versus Colorado early next week.

Scherzer (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

After receiving the green light to face live hitters Wednesday, Scherzer is now set to return to a competitive setting for the first time since landing on the IL in late April wth forearm tendinitis and ankle inflammation. He's expected to throw between 45 and 60 pitches during his first minor-league outing, and manager John Schneider said the future Hall of Famer will likely need to make multiple rehab starts before he returns from the injured list.

The Orioles selected Weston's contract from Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Weston has excelled at collecting strikeouts in the minors this season, fanning 40 batters in just 27.1 innings, but he's struggled to limit runs while posting a 6.26 ERA and 1.70 WHIP. Despite his poor effectiveness, the Orioles will add him to their big-league roster and likely deploy him as a multi-inning reliever. Trey Gibson was optioned to Norfolk in a corresponding move.

The Orioles optioned Gibson to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Gibson gave the Orioles 5.2 innings of one-run ball during his season debut in Wednesday's win. Now that his duties as a spot starter are complete, he'll head back to Triple-A in favor of Cameron Weston. Gibson owns a 3.65 ERA and 1.62 WHIP across 12.1 innings through his first three MLB appearances and figures to remain a candidate for additional spot starts throughout the season.

Castillo is slated to work out of the bullpen and will piggyback starter Bryce Miller during Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks in Seattle, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Though both Castillo and Miller have expressed a reluctance to being used in a piggyback arrangement, the two pitchers will nonetheless operate in a tandem for a third consecutive turn through the rotation. The setup worked well the last time out Monday in Sacramento, with Castillo starting the game and delivering one of his better efforts of the season, as he struck out six and allowed just two hits and two walks over four scoreless frames. Miller followed with five innings of two-run ball and was credited with the win, but Castillo should have better odds of factoring into the decision Sunday while he and Miller are used in the opposite order. The Mariners will reassess their rotation plans after Sunday's contest, and Castillo may need another strong showing against Arizona to ensure that he avoids moving into a full-time relief role.