MLB Player News

Wacha will be available out of the bullpen for Sunday's game against the Astros and is expected to enter the contest once starter Rich Hill exits, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Manager Kevin Cash hasn't specified whether Hill and Wacha would be deployed as tandem starters, or if Wacha will merely be tasked with covering an inning or two once Hill's day is done. Regardless, the move to the bullpen -- even if only temporary -- will take Wacha out of the mix for starting in any of the Rays' four games against the Angels to begin the upcoming week. The recent addition of rookie Shane McClanahan gives the Rays six starting options, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the team will deviate from a five-man rotation.

The Blue Jays will activate Stripling (forearm) from the 10-day injured list to start Sunday's game against Atlanta, Ben Wagner of Sportsnet reports.

Toronto will clear a spot on the 26-man roster for Stripling by moving catcher Alejandro Kirk (hip) to the 10-day IL. Stripling, who had been sidelined for the last three-plus weeks with a right forearm strain, could have a limited pitch count in his first start since April 8, making him a relatively unappealing streaming option.

Urquidy (2-2) won his second straight start Saturday, allowing four hits and one walk over seven scoreless innings against the Rays.

Urquidy was efficient and in control, dominating the Rays and working from ahead in the count. He threw 68 strikes among his 91 pitches, and Tampa hitters swung and missed 12 times. At the behest of pitching coach Brent Strom, Urquidy hurried his tempo between pitches and it produced desired results, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. "I'm trying to get a good rhythm with my body," Urquidy said. "I'm trying to not lose my focus and not lose the strike zone. To get that I have to be a little quicker with my movements." The Rays averaged an exit velocity of just 87.6 mph on 20 balls in play against Urquidy, who didn't throw more than 16 pitches in an inning. He's next slated to pitch at home against the Blue Jays.

Kopech allowed one hit and struck out three over three scoreless innings in Saturday's 7-3 win over Cleveland.

Kopech pitched for the first time since a five-inning start last Sunday and picked up his first hold of the season. The right-hander continues to dominate whether as a starter or reliever. He's started twice, but the White Sox are largely sticking to the plan of using him for multiple-inning stints out of the bullpen. Kopech has a 1.45 ERA and 0.64 WHIP with a 30:4 K:BB while holding opponents to a .125 batting average in 18.2 innings.

Canning (2-2) earned the win over Seattle on Saturday, tossing 5.1 innings and allowing one unearned run on three hits and two walks while striking out nine.

This was easily Canning's finest performance of the young campaign, as he posted a season-high nine strikeouts while matching his longest start thus far. He succeeded by throwing first-pitch strikes to 17 of 22 batters and racking up 23 swings-and-misses. The right-hander also was able to keep the ball in the park for the first time, helping him to his second win. Canning still sports an unimpressive 6.20 ERA overall, but he has shown some promise with a 26:8 K:BB across 20.1 innings. He's currently projected to face the Dodgers at home in next weekend's crosstown series.

Severino is expected to face live hitters May 10 or 11 for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery last February, Max Goodman of Sports Illustrated reports.

Severino has been progressing in recent weeks and recently worked up to throwing to batters standing in the box while mixing in all of his pitches. While he still has hurdles to clear before being ready to pitch again in the majors, the right-hander appears on track for a return sometime around the middle of July.

Rodriguez allowed four runs on eight hits while walking one and striking out five over five innings in Saturday's loss to the Rangers. He didn't factor into the decision.

The lefty had his worst outing of the season and was pulled after only 67 pitches. The 28-year-old only allowed one home run, but he was getting barreled for the better half of the evening. Rodriguez now has a 4.18 ERA on the year and his inconsistent velocity is something that should be monitored.

Lyles allowed five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three over four innings in a victory over the Red Sox on Saturday. He didn't factor into the decision.

The righty has struggled as of late and labored Saturday, needing 84 pitches to complete four innings of work. The 30-year-old now has a 7.39 ERA and 23:8 K:BB. Lyles will need to pick it up if he wishes to remain in the rotation.

McKenzie (0-1) went two innings and allowed five runs on one hit and four walks with six strikeouts in Cleveland's 7-3 loss to Chicago on Saturday.

After a 1-2-3 first featuring three strikeouts, the young starter needed 42 pitches to labor through a dreadful second that was punctuated by a Tim Anderson grand slam. The strikeout upside is clearly there, but until McKenzie can limit the walks, he won't be able to work deep into games. None of his five starts so far this season have lasted more than five innings.

Lynn (2-1) returned from the IL to go five innings Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks with two strikeouts to earn the win over Cleveland.

Making his first start in over two weeks, Lynn limited the damage to two runs in the fourth and one in the fifth before being pulled at only 68 pitches. He had gone for over 90 pitches in each of his first three starts, so manager Tony La Russa was most likely being cautious with his workload in Lynn's first start back from injury.