MLB Player News

Bradish (shoulder) will report to Double-A Bowie for a rehab start Saturday, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander threw a simulated game this week, which proved to be the final hurdle before he embarked on a minor-league rehab assignment. Bradish hasn't pitched in the majors since June 18 due to shoulder inflammation, but he may be able to rejoin Baltimore's starting rotation after only one rehab outing.

Eovaldi (back) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Eovaldi threw live batting practice Tuesday, and his fastball reached 96 mph during the session. In spite of his encouraging performance, he'll require at least one appearance in the minors prior to rejoining Boston's rotation. The Red Sox haven't yet revealed how many rehab appearances the right-hander needs, but it's possible he's able to make a start in the majors before the All-Star break, which begins July 18.

Whitlock (hip) is slated to make a 1-to-2-inning rehab appearance for Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora has already said that Whitlock will be deployed out of the bullpen upon returning from the 15-day injured list, so the right-hander may only need one or two appearances in the minors prior to being activated. Tanner Houck and John Schreiber have emerged as the top options at the back end of the bullpen, but Whitlock could still see the occasional save chance while serving as a multi-inning, high-leverage relief arm.

Wacha (arm) didn't respond well to his most recent throwing session and is no longer considered an option to start Friday's game against the Yankees, Sean McAdam of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

The Red Sox haven't announced a replacement starter for Friday's game, but Wacha looks like he'll have his turn in the rotation skipped entirely while he contends with what the team is labeling a "heavy arm." According to Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican, Wacha remains hopeful to avoid a stint on the injured list, but that could hinge on how he feels following his next throwing session, which is likely to come in another day or two.

Bello will start Monday's game against the Rays, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Bello made his major-league debut Wednesday against Tampa Bay and allowed four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three in four innings. Despite his lackluster results, he'll get at least one more turn through the rotation for Monday's series opener at Tropicana Field. The right-hander has been dominant in the minors this year, posting a 2.33 ERA, 114:33 K:BB and 1.02 WHIP in 85 innings between the Double-A and Triple-A clubs.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Sale (rib) will likely be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Tuesday's game at Tampa Bay, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. "He'll pitch Tuesday. Somewhere, he'll pitch Tuesday, but there's a good chance he'll pitch with us," Cora said.

Cora still left the door open a crack for Sale's next outing to come in the minors, but all signs point to the southpaw slotting back into the Boston rotation next week for what would be his first appearance with the big club since the 2021 postseason. He didn't make a start in spring training after suffering a stress fracture on the right side of his rib cage in a mid-March throwing session, but the 33-year-old looks to be healthy again after a nearly four-month layoff. Though Sale was far from sharp in his fourth rehab outing with Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday -- he issued five walks in 3.2 innings -- he still struck out five batters and built up to 77 pitches. Assuming he's activated for Tuesday's game, Sale should face only a light restriction with his workload.

Wacha (arm) is unsure whether he'll be able to start Friday against the Yankees, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Manager Alex Cora recently expressed optimism that Wacha would be able to start Friday's matchup, but his status is in question as he continues to deal with a heavy arm. The right-hander will presumably continue to be monitored before the Red Sox determine his status for Friday's matchup.

Watkins (2-1) picked up the win in Wednesday's 2-1 victory over the Rangers, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over 6.2 innings. He struck out three.

The right-hander delivered his second straight quality start on 84 pitches (61 strikes), although Watkins was far from dominant as he generated only nine swinging strikes. Since returning to the rotation at the end of June, the 29-year-old has an improbable 1.02 ERA and 0.85 WHIP through 17.2 innings over three outings despite a lackluster 12:3 K:BB.

Bello (0-1) took the loss versus the Rays on Wednesday, allowing four runs on six hits while striking out two and walking three across four innings.

Bello allowed four earned runs in his debut and began his MLB career with a loss. He threw 45 of 79 pitches for strikes across and allowed four runs thanks to a single and two doubles. If the Red Sox decide to give him another turn in the rotation, he tentatively lines up to face the Rays again next week.

Kluber (4-5) earned the win against Boston on Wednesday, allowing no runs on three hits while striking out five and walking none over six innings.

Kluber was dominant in Wednesday's win, throwing 57 of 80 pitches for strikes across six frames for his fifth quality start in his last eight games. He bounced back well after allowing five runs in three innings in his last appearance. The righty threw his fourth scoreless outing of the year and lowered his ERA to 3.62.