MLB Player News

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sunday that Paxton (elbow) is scheduled to throw two or three bullpen sessions during the upcoming week, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

While Cora relays that Paxton "felt great" coming out of his bullpen session Saturday -- his third since he resumed a throwing program -- the Red Sox don't plan on having the southpaw take another step forward in his rehab just yet. Instead, he'll continue ramping up the intensity of his bullpen sessions before potentially advancing to facing hitters the following week. Paxton, who underwent Tommy John surgery in mid-April of last year, is trending toward a second-half return from the 60-day injured list.

Kluber (3-4) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out six in six innings to take the loss during Sunday's game against the Orioles.

Kluber posted a second consecutive quality start Sunday, but he's been forced to settle for losses in his last two outings. The 36-year-old gave up eight runs during the Rays' loss to the Angels on May 10 but has settled down since then and hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his last seven outings. Across those seven starts, he's posted a 2.61 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in 38 innings. Kluber tentatively lines up to make his next start at home against the Pirates on Saturday.

Houck earned a save against the Cardinals on Sunday. He allowed one hit and struck out one batter.

Boston held a 6-1 lead in the ninth, but after a three-run homer from Juan Yepez, Houck was needed to record the final out. He coughed up an infield hit to Tommy Edman before striking out Brendan Donovan to finish off the contest. Houck has picked up a save in each of his last four outings and has lowered his ERA to 3.53 through 43.1 frames.

Whitlock (hip) is scheduled for a bullpen session Tuesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Whitlock resumed playing catch Friday and will quickly return to the mound after landing on the injured list June 10 with right hip inflammation. If all goes well Tuesday, the 26-year-old could rejoin Boston's starting rotation as early as the weekend.

The Angels returned Suarez to Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday.

Suarez's latest stint with the big club lasted just one day, as the Angels designated him as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader with the Mariners. He started the second game of the twin bill and fared well in the Angels' 3-0 win, shutting out the Mariners over 4.1 innings while striking out seven and scattering four hits and three walks. Kenny Rosenberg was called up from Triple-A to make a start in Sunday's series finale in Seattle, and how he performs may dictate whether he or Suarez gets the nod the next time the Halos require a sixth starter in next weekend's home series with the Mariners.

Bubic is the Royals' projected starter for their series opener versus the Angels on Monday, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Bubic has just a tenuous grasp on a spot in the rotation. He's allowed seven runs over 9.2 innings in his last two starts, and the southpaw seems like the most likely pitcher to drop out of the rotation once Zack Greinke (elbow) returns, though nothing is official in that regard yet.

Lyles, who was scratched from Sunday's start against the Rays, is dealing with a stomach virus, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

The veteran right-hander remains in the mix to start Tuesday against the Nationals coming off Monday's scheduled off day, but it remains to be seen if he's feeling well enough to pitch. Austin Voth is starting in place of Lyles on Sunday.

The Red Sox optioned Crawford to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday.

Crawford's removal from the 26-man active roster means that Josh Winckowski will stick around as the Red Sox's No. 5 starter until Nathan Eovaldi (back) is ready to return from the 15-day injured list. The Red Sox added newly acquired reliever James Norwood to the roster as a replacement for Crawford, who was tagged for four earned runs on six hits and zero walks across four innings while getting handed the loss Saturday against the Cardinals.

Lyles was scratched from his scheduled start against the Rays on Sunday for undisclosed reasons, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

It's unclear if Lyles is dealing with some sort of an injury, but he won't be available for his start Sunday. Austin Voth will take the mound in his place versus Tampa Bay.

Irvin (2-4) took the loss Saturday, allowing a run on three hits while striking out six and walking two across 6.1 innings.

Irvin was pulled after allowing a Michael Taylor triple in the seventh inning. Taylor came around to score off Oakland reliever Domingo Acevedo thanks to a Ryan O'Hearn double, leaving Irvin with the earned run and the loss. The lefty pitched well enough to earn his fifth quality start of the year and bounced back well after allowing four earned runs in his last game. Irvin will take a 3.14 ERA into his next appearance.