MLB Player News

Sale's next start will come Tuesday against the Yankees, not Monday against the Orioles as originally expected, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

The Sale saga continues. The lefty has shown diminished velocity, thrown three poor starts and is now being handled with extreme caution by his team, getting a full week between starts. The team and player maintain that there's no particular problem with Sale's arm, but the signs all remain negative.

Valdez was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Valdez has only appeared twice out of the bullpen this season, allowing two runs in three innings. He could be heading to the minors in order to stretch back out as a starter. A corresponding move is expected to be announced Friday.

Manning struck out 10 across seven one-hit shutout frames in his second start of the season for Double-A Erie.

He now boasts a 0.75 ERA, 0.42 WHIP and .054 average against through two starts. It was good to see him rebound against a weak Altoona lineup after walking three in five innings in an otherwise stellar first start of the season. Manning is one of the game's top pitching prospects and now has four career starts at Double-A under his belt. He should head to Triple-A sometime this summer, and a 2019 big-league debut is not out of the question.

Lynn (1-1) allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out nine over six innings in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

Lynn kept his mates in the game as Arizona starter Robbie Ray no-hit the Rangers through five innings. The bats eventually came alive, putting up runs in each of the final four innings to make a winner of Lynn, who laid claim to the second win by a Texas starter. Lynn's next projected start is Monday at home against the Angels.

Kikuchi exited Wednesday's start against the Royals after six innings with left calf cramps, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports. He did not factor in the decision and allowed three runs on five hits and one walk while recording three strikeouts.

Kikuchi's evening may have been done regardless after 80 pitches given it was his first time working on a five-day pitching schedule. The 27-year-old was in line for the victory when he left the game only to see the bullpen surrender the lead during the seventh inning. Kikuchi is tentatively lined up for Monday's game against the Indians.

Paxton (1-2) gave up five runs on eight hits with three walks while striking out five through four innings in a loss to the Astros on Wednesday.

Paxton was hit hard and pulled after only four innings after giving up two home runs and five earned runs. The left-hander has had a tough start to the campaign with a 6.00 ERA and 19 strikeouts through 15 innings. Paxton will look to rebound Wednesday against the Red Sox.

Boyd (1-1) grabbed the win against the Indians on Wednesday by allowing one run on four hits over six innings. He had six strikeouts and issued two walks.

Boyd was unable to reach double-digit strikeouts as he did during his first two starts, but still pitched well for his first win of the year. The 28-year-old has enjoyed a fantastic start to the season with a 2.60 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 29:6 K:BB over 17.1 innings. Boyd lines up to start against the Pirates next Tuesday.

Montas (2-1) allowed three earned runs on three hits and one walk while striking out three across six innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Orioles.

Montas held a no-hitter through four innings prior to allowing two home runs to the first three batters he faced in the fifth inning. He did rebound to strike out the side in the sixth inning to complete his quality start, though he generated only eight swinging strikes in a favorable matchup. Nevertheless, Montas has shown progress through three starts this season, notching a 14:4 K:BB and allowing six earned runs in 17 innings of work.

Odorizzi (0-2) gave up three runs on one hit with four walks while striking out three through 4.2 innings in a loss to the Mets on Wednesday.

It was an unusual final line for Odorizzi as he surrendered three earned runs while only giving up one hit. The 29-year-old was cruising through four innings until three walks prompted his removal, and the Minnesota bullpen allowed all three of the inherited runners to score. After a terrific 11-strikeout performance in his first start, the last two outings have been disappointing to say the least. Through three starts, he has a 0-2 record and 6.35 ERA with 15 strikeouts. Odorizzi will get his next start Monday against the Blue Jays.

Glasnow (3-0) earned the win against the White Sox on Wednesday by recording 11 strikeouts and allowing only two hits and one walk across six scoreless innings.

Glasnow's only trouble of the afternoon came during the third inning as there was runners on second and third with only one out, but he struck out Yoan Moncada and Jose Abreu to end the frame. The 25-year-old has enjoyed a dominant first three starts to the season with a 0.53 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 21:3 K:BB over 17 innings. Glasnow next lines up to start Tuesday against the Orioles.