MLB Player News

Cease allowed one earned run on four hits and three walks while striking out eight across five innings Saturday against Boston. He did not factor into the decision.

Cease struggled to work efficiently as he needed 101 pitches to record 15 outs. However, he otherwise continued to showcase strong stuff, highlighted by 16 swinging strikes. Cease has now racked up at least eight strikeouts in all but one of his six starts this season and has maintained a 2.38 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP and a 47:13 K:BB across 34 innings.

Valdez allowed two earned runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out seven across six innings Saturday against the Tigers. He did not factor into the decision.

Valdez allowed multiple hits in each of the first three innings and was consistently working out of trouble. However, he limited the Tigers to only two runs, in large part due to nine groundball outs and a season-best seven strikeouts. Valdez has suppressed scoring very well to begin the campaign, as he's allowed two or fewer earned runs in four of his six starts. He owns a 3.34 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with an underwhelming 26:15 K:BB across 32.1 innings this season.

Rodriguez allowed one earned run on one hit and three walks while striking out eight across 6.2 innings Saturday against the Astros. He did not factor into the decision.

Rodriguez carried a 5.33 ERA into Saturday's start, but he delivered his best performance as a Tiger. He limited the Astros to only a solo home run while also racking up a season-best eight strikeouts. Rodriguez did continue to struggle with his control, and he has walked multiple batters in four of his six appearances this season. While this outing was a step forward, Rodriguez still owns a 4.50 ERA across 32 frames on the season.

Lorenzen (3-2) took the loss in a 7-3 defeat at the hands of the Nationals on Saturday, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings.

Lorenzen struggled Saturday in allowing runs in four of the five innings he appeared despite tying a season high with five strikeouts. The 30-year-old has been inconsistent with a 1.77 ERA in three wins compared to a 10.13 mark in eight innings during two losses. He'll look to get back on track against Oakland next weekend.

Canning (back) is expected to begin throwing live bullpen sessions within the next week, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Canning has been throwing off a mound twice a week to build up arm strength. There is no timetable for his return, but news of his progress is encouraging.

Dunning will start the first game of the Rangers' doubleheader Sunday against the Yankees, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Rainy conditions have created havoc in the Texas rotation, but Dunning will ultimately only be pushed back one day. Dunning has allowed only three earned runs across his last two starts -- spanning 13.1 innings -- while striking out 12 and walking one.

Kaprielian (0-2) took the loss despite a strong start Saturday against the Twins. He allowed just one run on three hits and two walks across 5.2 innings while striking out seven.

Kaprielian got through five innings without much trouble and nearly got through the sixth as well before Jorge Polanco took him deep to center field with two outs. The Athletics would fail to score, saddling Kaprielian with the loss, but it was nonetheless an encouraging performance after he stumbled in his first start back from a shoulder injury. Kaprielian will look to keep the momentum going next week, when he lines up to face the Tigers in Detroit on Thursday.

Gray will start Monday's game against the Yankees, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

The Rangers have had to shift their rotation multiple times due to a pair of rainouts in their series against the Yankees. As a result, Gray will have his start pushed back one day. In his place, Dane Dunning will start the first game of a doubleheader Sunday with Glenn Otto tabbed for the second matchup.

Gray threw four shutout innings Sunday against the Athletics, striking out seven while walking two and allowing two hits. He did not factor into the decision.

Gray was limited to 66 pitches, which wasn't too big of a surprise given that it was his first outing back from a hamstring injury, having previously made just one three-inning rehab start. He didn't pitch long enough to get a win, but it was a very encouraging outing nonetheless, as the only time an Athletic reached scoring position was when Elvis Andrus singled and stole second base in the top of the third. Gray may still be on a pitch count for his next outing, which could come Friday against the Guardians.

Martinez (thumb) signed a minor-league deal with the Red Sox on Saturday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Martinez joined the Giants on a minor-league deal in mid-March after missing most of last season with a torn thumb ligament. He didn't make the major-league roster and was released in late April without having pitched at any minor-league affiliate. It's unclear whether or not he's fully recovered from his thumb injury, so it's unclear whether he'll pitch for a Red Sox affiliate right away.