MLB Player News

Hill didn't factor into the decision in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Rays after striking out one batter over four scoreless frames while scattering four hits and three walks.

Though Hill kept the Rays off the board through four innings, the Red Sox weren't willing to extend him deep into the game, which has been a recurring theme for the southpaw this season. Through his first three starts, Hill hasn't topped 80 pitches or five innings. Heading into the season, manager Alex Cora teased the idea of Hill making regular tandem starts with Garrett Whitlock, so the 42-year-old lefty isn't necessarily a safe bet to see his workloads increase as the campaign rolls along.

McClanahan (1-1) allowed two earned runs on six hits and no walks while striking out seven across seven innings to earn the win Sunday against Boston.

McClanahan was touched up early in the game, as he allowed three singles and both of his earned runs in the first inning. However, he went on to retire eight consecutive hitters -- four of which came via strikeout. Perhaps most notably, McClanahan needed only 86 pitches to work seven innings to record his longest outing of the season. Through four starts this season, he's now maintained a 2.45 ERA with a 31:5 K:BB across 22 frames.

Cueto (0-1) allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two across 2.2 innings to take the loss Saturday against Triple-A Nashville.

Cueto signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox on April 4, and he has been building up his arm strength since. He took another step in that process Saturday, and while the results weren't particularly strong he did throw 53 pitches. Given that he's on a minor-league deal, there's no guarantee that Cueto will be with the White Sox any time in the near future. However, once Cueto is up to speed, the team could opt to utilize him as the fifth starter to replace Vince Velasquez in the rotation.

Ray struck out five in six innings, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk in a 5-4 extra-inning win Sunday against Kansas City. He did not factor into the decision.

Ray allowed a pair of RBI doubles in the third inning but otherwise kept the Royals' lineup in check. He left the game with a 3-2 lead and was in position to earn the victory. A ninth-inning homer by Hunter Dozier erased that possibility. The lefty has thrown at least six innings in each start this season and leads all of baseball with 25.1 innings pitched. Surprisingly, Ray has been pitching more to contact and has only fanned 18 batters so far. His next start will likely be next weekend in Miami.

Garcia allowed five runs on five hits and a walk over six innings in Sunday's win over Toronto. He struck out six and did not factor in the decision.

Garcia cruised through three shutout innings with little resistance before Vladimir Guerrero knocked an RBI sacrifice fly in the fourth. He then coughed up a solo home run to Lourdes Gurriel in the fifth followed by a three-run shot from Zack Collins in the sixth. Garcia remains 1-0 through three starts despite giving up eight runs over his last two outings, raising his ERA to 4.60. He's lined up for a rematch in Toronto next week.

Whitlock is penciled in to start Thursday's game in Toronto, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The Red Sox haven't officially confirmed he will get the ball Thursday, but Whitlock is the most logical choice to stick in the rotation since Tanner Houck isn't eligible to make his scheduled turn in Toronto this week due to his vaccination status. Boston had already seemingly prepared for Houck's absence in Toronto by handing Whitlock his first start of the season Saturday, when the 25-year-old right-hander struck out seven and allowed one baserunner over four scoreless frames. He's thus lined up to return to the hill Thursday on the standard four days' rest, and he should be able to bump up his workload a bit from the 48 pitches he tossed against Tampa Bay.

Kikuchi allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits and five walks over 3.2 innings in Sunday's loss to Houston. He struck out four and did not factor in the decision.

Kikuchi faced eight batters in the second inning but escaped after allowing just two runs, including a bases-loaded walk to Alex Bregman. He later coughed up a two-run shot to Michael Brantley in the fourth that bounced him from the game. The 30-year-old lefty saw his ERA climb to 3.75 through 12 innings this season. Kikuchi is expected to get a rematch with the Astros at home next week.

Houck came on in relief and struck out two over 1.2 perfect innings in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Rays.

Even though Houck tossed five innings in his third start of the season just two days earlier, the Red Sox made him available out of the bullpen Sunday in anticipation of the right-hander not being available for the team's four-game series in Toronto that begins Monday. Because Houck has confirmed that he's unvaccinated, he isn't eligible to cross the border into Canada and will be placed on the restricted list in advance of the four-game series. The Red Sox are expected to turn to Garrett Whitlock to make a spot start the next time Houck's turn in the rotation comes up Thursday, while the latter will have at least four days to rest up before potentially making his next start in Baltimore next weekend.

Suarez allowed three runs on four hits and two walks in 4.1 innings while striking out six in a 7-6 win Sunday over Baltimore. He did not factor into the decision.

Suarez was the beneficiary of a six-run first inning by the Angels' offense but was unable to get through the fifth to put himself in line for the victory. All of the damage against him came on a three-run homer by Trey Mancini in the third inning. The lefty has pitched 4.1 innings in all three of his starts, allowing two or three runs in each appearance. After allowing a career-low 3.3 BB/9 in 2021, the 24-year-old has walked nine in 13 innings this season. His next start will likely come next weekend against the White Sox.

Giolito allowed one run on four hits and three walks in Sunday's loss to Minnesota. He struck out nine and did not factor in the decision.

Making his first start since April 8 after a stint on the injured list for an abdomen issue, Giolito tossed 48 of 76 pitches for strikes and forced an impressive 17 whiffs. The only damage against him was an RBI sacrifice fly by Gio Urshela in the third inning. The 6-foot-6 righty is now sporting a 1.13 ERA with a 15:5 K:BB through eight innings. Giolito is lined up to face the Angels at home next week.