MLB Player News

Kluber (0-2) took the loss Wednesday as the Red Sox were downed 4-1 by the Pirates, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over five innings while striking out two.

The veteran right-hander didn't pitch poorly, tossing 44 of 67 pitches for strikes before exiting, but Kluber left the game with the Red Sox down 1-0 and they never found a tying run. While his Cy Young days are behind him, Kluber could still be able to provide the Red Sox with solid outings. He'll take a 6.48 ERA and 6:5 K:BB through 8.1 innings into his next start, and while he potentially lines up for a two-step next week, the return of Garrett Whitlock (hip) could shuffle the team's rotation and provide Kluber with an extra day of rest instead.

Cease said he was under the weather during his start Wednesday against the Giants, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Cease told reporters that he didn't sleep well Tuesday night because of a mild illness and overcompensated with caffeine in the lead up to his afternoon outing on the South Side of Chicago. He issued five walks but tallied eight strikeouts and gave up only one hit -- a solo homer -- en route to a gutty victory versus San Francisco. The 27-year-old should be fully rested by his next scheduled turn in the rotation which lines up for Monday against the Twins.

Cease (1-0) earned the win Wednesday, allowing one run on one hit and five walks over five innings against the Giants. He struck out eight.

The only hit Cease allowed Wednesday was a solo blast from J.D. Davis in the top of the second inning. After not walking a batter Opening Day, the right-hander struggled with his command, but he was able to work around five walks thanks to eight strikeouts. Cease now has 18 strikeouts through his first 11.1 innings of work this season while allowing only three hits and two earned runs. His next start tentatively lines up for Monday in a road matchup against the Twins.

Lopez didn't factor in the decision in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Marlins, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out eight.

A solo shot by Jorge Soler accounted for the only run off Lopez on the afternoon, but Jesus Luzardo was also dealing for Miami and neither pitcher came away with a decision. Lopez produced 15 swinging strikes among his 88 pitches, and he's delivered a 0.73 ERA and 16:4 K:BB through his first 12.1 innings as a Twin. The 27-year-old righty could get two starts next week as he tentatively lines up to face the White Sox at home before a weekend road series against the Yankees.

Rodriguez (0-2) took the loss Wednesday, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against the Astros. He struck out one.

Rodriguez allowed six hits but two of those were homers, including a two-run shot by Chas McCormick in the second inning. Given the opponent, it wasn't a horrible performance from Rodriguez, but he lacked strikeout stuff Wednesday and has received only one run from his offense over his first two starts, making him an unattractive fantasy option to start the campaign. Rodriguez is scheduled to pitch again next week in Toronto, which is another difficult matchup for the left-hander.

Javier (1-0) earned the win Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits and zero walks over six innings in a 8-2 victory over the Tigers. He struck out five.

Javier's lone run was surrendered on a two-out, infield single by Nick Maton in the third inning. Other than that, he kept the bases relatively clear and cruised to his first win of the season. Through his first two starts, Javier has 11 strikeouts across 11 innings and has walked only one batter. His next start lines up as a road matchup in Pittsburgh.

Rodriguez did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk over five innings against the Rangers. He struck out five.

Rodriguez walked the first batter he saw in his MLB debut and got hit hard in the first inning, allowing two runs on two hits. However, the rookie settled down after a rough first and posted four scoreless frames to keep Baltimore in the game against Jacob deGrom. Rodriguez should draw at least one more start with Kyle Bradish (foot) on the 15-day injured list, but the 2018 first-round pick will have to perform as he's not assured of sticking around the big leagues. He figures to pitch again early next week against Oakland.

DeGrom (1-0) earned the win Wednesday, allowing one earned on two hits and two walks over six innings against the Orioles. He struck out 11.

DeGrom was perfect through four, striking out eight of the first 12 batters he faced, but he got into trouble in the fifth after allowing a leadoff double to Ryan Mountcastle. Two runs came around to score in the inning, but deGrom was charged with only one earned due to an error from Marcus Semien. The veteran ace allowed a leadoff walk to Adley Rutschman in the sixth but escaped the inning with two more strikeouts. It was certainly a nice bounce-back performance for deGrom, who faltered in his Rangers debut, and there's no reason to think his poor outing on Opening Day was anything but an outlier. DeGrom is scheduled to pitch early next week against Kansas City.

Campbell is being held back in extended spring training as he deals with an elbow injury, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports.

Callis says Cleveland is hopeful to get Campbell back during the first half of the season, so it sounds like this will require months, not weeks. According to Guardians Prospective, it is ulnar neuritis in his right elbow. A 6-foot-7 righty who combines quality stuff with deception, Campbell has a chance to really improve his stock if he can get healthy. He hasn't pitched professionally since Cleveland selected him with the 37th overall pick last year.

Bello (forearm) threw 72 pitches over five innings in an extended spring training start Wednesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Bello had been in line to begin his rehab assignment at Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, but due to inclement weather in the Northeast, he threw at Red Sox camp in Florida instead. Assuming Bello feels fine physically coming out of Wednesday's outing, he'll likely need just one more rehab start before coming off the 15-day injured list. Garrett Whitlock (hip) appears on track to beat Bello back from the IL, so the Red Sox may not have a spot in the rotation immediately available for Bello once he's activated.