MLB Player News

Baz (2-0) earned the win Monday versus Boston, striking out 11 over six one-run innings. He allowed two hits and no walks.

Baz was utterly dominant in this 98-pitch outing, generating an incredible 17 whiffs to set a new career best in Ks at 11. The only blemish on the right-hander's performance was a solo shot hit by Kristian Campbell in the third inning. Baz now sports a 1.42 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 27:4 K:BB across 19 innings. The 25-year-old faces another tough lineup in his next start, currently projected to be against the Yankees at home this weekend.

Lucas (2-1) yielded eight runs on six hits and four walks over five innings Monday, striking out three and taking a loss against Atlanta.

Lucas was taken deep three times Monday, starting with Sean Murphy's two-run shot in the first inning before Austin Riley went deep twice. Lucas threw 10.1 scoreless frames in his first two starts before this brutal performance. His ERA jumped to 4.70 with a 14:7 K:BB through 15.1 frames. Lucas is currently lined up to face the Mariners at home this weekend.

Houck (0-2) took the loss Monday against the Rays, allowing 12 runs (11 earned) on 10 hits and two walks over 2.1 innings with one strikeout.

The Boston right-hander yielded a career-worst 11 earned runs in this outing as the Tampa lineup swatted two homers and eight singles. Houck lasted only 61 pitches and raised his ERA from 4.41 to 9.16. Houck is off to a rough start in 2025, as he also sports a 1.93 WHIP and 11:9 K:BB across 18.2 innings. He is currently scheduled to make his next start against the White Sox at home this weekend.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday that Fitts has been diagnosed with a mild right pectoral strain, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Fitts had to be lifted from his last start Saturday versus the White Sox with the injury and was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday. While it's good news that it's been deemed a mild strain, Cora indicated there is no timetable for the right-hander's return. Fitts' next turn in the rotation comes up Friday, and with Brayan Bello (shoulder) and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) not quite ready, the Red Sox will likely choose from Michael Fulmer, Cooper Criswell, Josh Winckowski or Hunter Dobbins to take the ball Friday against the White Sox.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday that Bello's (shoulder) rehab start with Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday will "most likely" be his last, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Bello threw 64 pitches over four innings in his last rehab start and will build up more in his final rehab outing Wednesday before making his season debut with Boston next week, assuming all goes well. The right-hander has been working his way back from a strained shoulder.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora indicated Monday that Giolito (hamstring) is likely to make two more rehab starts, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Giolito will make his third rehab start with Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday and is due for another one after that. It sets him up for his Red Sox debut as soon as April 25, although that date is not set in stone. Giolito missed the 2024 season following an internal brace surgery on his elbow and got a late start to this season because of a left hamstring strain.

Gil (lat) is expected to begin a throwing program Wednesday or Thursday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

It will mark the end of a six-week shutdown period as the right-hander works his way back from a high-grade lat strain. Gil is already on the 60-day injured list and will be ramped up slowly. A timetable for his return to the Yankees' rotation likely won't become clearer until he begins mound work.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Scherzer will visit with a doctor again in the coming days due to nagging soreness in his injured right thumb after throwing recently, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Scherzer received a pair of cortisone injections in the thumb earlier this month but still can't seem to get over the hump with the injury. It's uncertain what the next course of action will be, but that should become clearer after Scherzer's visit with the doctor. There is no timetable for the 40-year-old's return.

The Rays optioned Boyle to Triple-A Durham on Monday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Boyle made a case to stick around by dazzling in a spot start Sunday versus Atlanta, fanning seven batters with no hits and just two unearned runs allowed over five innings. However, the Rays are sticking with their plan to return Boyle to the minors. He'll likely be first in line for a promotion when the big club needs a starter again.

The Rays plan to option Boyle to Triple-A Durham prior to Monday game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Boyle dazzled in a spot start Sunday versus Atlanta, permitting two unearned runs on no hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over five innings. However, the Rays will stick with their initial plan and send Boyle back down in order to bring up a fresh relief arm. Boyle should be the first pitcher the Rays call upon when they need rotation help.