MLB Player News

Smith did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Mariners, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out six.

Things looked bleak for Smith early -- he walked the first two batters of the game before giving up a three-run homer to Julio Rodriguez. However, the 25-year-old Smith managed to settle in and blank Seattle over his final four frames, allowing just one additional hit. Smith has been a bright spot for the White Sox early this season -- the rookie right-hander has posted a 2.36 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP and 49:18 K:BB through his first 10 starts (53.1 innings). Smith is currently slated to face the Mets on the road in his next start.

Evans did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's win over the White Sox. He allowed four runs on six hits and a walk over six innings while striking out seven.

Evans fell victim to the home-run ball Wednesday -- he gave up four runs on three homers after allowing just two long balls in his first 21 innings this year. Overall, Evans is 2-1 with a 3.33 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB through his first four major-league starts (27 innings). The 23-year-old figures to remain in Seattle's rotation while Logan Gilbert (elbow) and Bryce Miller (elbow) are sidelined. Evans is currently lined up to face the Nationals at home in his next outing.

Miller (elbow) played catch in the outfield prior to Wednesday's game against the White Sox, MLB.com reports.

Miller continues to recover from right elbow inflammation, which he'd been dealing with throughout the season before needing to go on the injured list May 12. It's unclear whether the right-hander will require a brief minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining Seattle's rotation, but he appears to have a chance of returning before the end of May at this point. Miller's throwing progression will remain worth monitoring, as the Mariners have yet to offer a concrete timetable for the 26-year-old's return to action.

Sugano came away with a no-decision Wednesday, giving up two runs on five hits and a walk over six innings in an 8-4 extra-innings win over the Brewers. He struck out three.

The 35-year-old right-hander produced his fifth quality start of the season on 88 pitches (60 strikes), but he missed out on his fifth win when Felix Bautista blew his first save of the year in the ninth. Sugano will take a 3.07 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 32:10 K:BB through 58.2 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Cardinals.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that Crawford (knee) is scheduled for a three-inning live batting practice session Thursday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Crawford's recovery from right patellar tendinopathy has come along slowly but surely, and it's possible he's finally cleared for a rehab assignment if Thursday's session goes well. The Red Sox have offered mid-June as a rough timetable for Crawford's return.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that Houck (elbow) will begin a throwing program Friday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Houck landed on the 15-day injured list one week ago with a right flexor pronator strain but is nearly ready to ramp things up following a brief shutdown period. The Red Sox could choose to build up the right-hander slowly, especially given his struggles (8.04 ERA) prior to the injury.

Brown (6-3) took the loss Wednesday against the Rays, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

Brown hadn't allowed more than three earned runs in a start this year prior to Wednesday's outing. The Rays would score two runs on three hits in the first inning before Brown, who had only allowed two homers in his first nine starts, gave up a solo shot to Curtis Mead in the fourth, followed by back-to-back homers off the bats of Josh Lowe and Brandon Lowe in the fifth. Despite the hiccup, the 26-year-old Brown still boasts an impressive 2.04 ERA with a 0.91 WHIP and 71:16 K:BB through 61.2 innings this season. He'll look to get back on track in his next outing, tentatively scheduled for next week at home against the A's.

Bradley (4-3) earned the win Wednesday over the Astros, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

Bradley got off to a shaky start Wednesday -- the right-hander hit Jeremy Pena with a pitch to lead off the game before giving up a two-run homer to Isaac Paredes. However, Bradley would bounce back and blank Houston over his final five innings, allowing just three additional hits, en route to his fourth win and sixth quality start this year. The 24-year-old Bradley now sports a 4.61 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP and 48:24 K:BB across 10 starts (56.2 innings) this season. He currently lines up for a home matchup with the Twins in his next outing.

The Guardians recalled Nikhazy from Triple-A Columbus to serve as the 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader with the Twins.

Nikhazy wasn't available for the resumption of Monday's suspended game earlier in the day, but he'll join the Guardians for Wednesday's regularly scheduled contest before likely heading back to Triple-A. The southpaw will work out of the bullpen for Cleveland this time around after he previously made a spot start in his MLB debut back on April 26 versus the Red Sox.

Mariners manager Dan Wilson said Wednesday that Kirby (shoulder) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Thursday's game in Houston, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Kirby's third and final rehab start wasn't great from a results perspective, as he allowed four runs on 10 hits over four innings of work at Triple-A Tacoma last Friday. However, he got his fastball velocity up to 97.5 miles per hour in the outing, and the Mariners are convinced the right-hander is ready to face big-league hitters. Kirby threw 64 pitches in his final rehab outing, so he will be working with a relatively limited workload Thursday. He's been out all season while recovering from right shoulder inflammation.