MLB Player News

Keuchel (1-4) allowed six runs on seven hits, including three home runs, while striking out three over seven innings in Friday's 8-1 loss to Oakland.

The game began as a pitching duel as Keuchel retired the first 13 batters he faced while Athletics starter Sean Manaea, who no-hit the Red Sox six days earlier, retired his first nine batters. The A's then brought out their lumber to take Keuchel deep three times, once each in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. It was the most homers allowed by the left-hander since Sept. 16, 2015. It's been a tough start to the season for Keuchel, who has been given one run of support in four of his six starts. He'll hope the bats to show up his next time out, Wednesday at home against the Yankees.

Oaks will join the Royals as their 26th man and start Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader with the White Sox, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic Kansas City reports.

Oaks has a 3.09 ERA and 1.07 WHIP over 23.1 innings (four starts) with Triple-A Omaha this season, and will fill in as the Royals need a sixth starter Saturday. It seems likely to be a short stay as the 24-year-old will makes major-league debut, but a quality performance could earn him a second look with Kansas City's pitching staff featuring a 5.21 ERA, second-worst in the AL.

Montgomery allowed two runs on four hits and three walks across five innings in a no-decision against the Twins on Thursday. He struck out six.

It was another solid, but not spectacular, effort from Montgomery. His six strikeouts were a season high, but walks once again prevented the young lefty from pitching deep into the game. It's still early, but Montgomery now owns a 4.1 BB/9 through five starts this season -- all of which have lasted six or fewer innings -- after posting a 3.0 BB/9 across 29 starts in his rookie season. He'll carry a 3.76 ERA into his next start, which is scheduled for Tuesday in Houston.

Giolito (1-3) got the win over the Royals on Thursday, giving up two earned runs on five hits over 5.2 innings while striking out two and walking two in a 6-3 victory.

This was a nice bounce-back effort from Giolito, who picked up his first win of the season after getting absolutely blasted by the Astros for nine earned runs in just two innings in his previous start. Despite the win, he's still got a 7.71 and 1.71 WHIP and has struggled with his control all season, walking 21 against just 11 strikeouts -- all numbers that leave him far outside the fantasy conversation until they drastically improve.

Sale (2-1) picked up the win over the Blue Jays on Thursday, giving up three earned runs on four hits while striking out four and walking two as the Red Sox eventually prevailed 5-4.

It wasn't quite the level of dominance we're used to seeing from Sale as the four strikeouts were a season low, but he still managed to put together a quality start. He'll take a 2.31 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and an elite 45:8 K:BB into his next start against the Royals on May 1.

Bundy (1-3) allowed seven earned runs on 11 hits while walking one and striking out four across 4.2 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Rays.

This was Bundy's worst effort of the season and came in what may have been his most favorable matchup among his six starts. The Rays tagged him for two home runs, both two-run shots, which did most of the damage. He had allowed only one home run over his first six starts of the season, so this outing should be viewed only as an isolated poor performance rather than as a reason for long-term concern.

Clevinger allowed four earned runs on eight hits while walking one and striking out five across six innings Thursday against the Mariners. He did not factor into the decision.

Clevinger wasn't able to follow up his complete game shutout with a similar performance and was hit around for three extra-base hits. He did manage to avoid a disastrous outing by not allowing a long ball and limiting walks. Much of his draft appeal came from his strikeout upside, but he has just 6.2 K/9 through 31.2 innings so he'll need to continue to limit hard contact to maintain value.

Paxton allowed two earned runs on five hits while walking three and striking out 10 across six innings Thursday against the Indians. He did not factor into the decision.

Paxton induced an impressive 16 swinging strikes and matched his season-best mark of 10 strikeouts. He remains among the best starting pitchers in the league at inducing strikeouts, with his K/9 up to 12.5 on the season. While his season-long numbers aren't impressive on their face, they are inflated by two shaky outings. However, after Thursday's start he has four outings in which he has completed at least five innings without giving up more than two earned runs.

Bassitt was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday.

Bassitt will head back to the minors after a brief stint with the big club during which he didn't see any game action. The 29-year-old hasn't pitched in the majors since undergoing Tommy John surgery back in 2016. He'll continue to serve as organizational pitching depth with the Sounds.

Dunning was promoted to Double-A Birmingham on Thursday, James Fegan of The Athletic Chicago reports.

Dunning has impressed through four starts with High-A Winston-Salem this season, compiling a 2.59 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 31:3 K:BB across 24.1 innings, so the White Sox will see how he responds to the stiffer competition at Double-A.