MLB Player News

Francis (forearm) struck out five over 3.2 innings in a rehab outing with Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday. He gave up one unearned run on one hit and one walk.

Francis made what was likely the fourth and final appearance of his rehab assignment and should be ready to return from the 15-day injured list this weekend. Shortly before he was shelved with right forearm extensor tendinitis in late April, Francis had been working out of the bullpen as a tandem starter with Yariel Rodriguez (back), but with Rodriguez joining Francis on the IL soon thereafter, Alek Manoah got a chance to reclaim the No. 5 spot in the rotation. Manoah exited his latest start Wednesday with right elbow discomfort, and if he ends up requiring an IL stint of his own, Francis could re-emerge as a rotation option in his return to the Blue Jays.

Medina (knee) returned to the Athletics following his latest rehab start with Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday and could be activated during this weekend's series with Atlanta, MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has plunked four batters and pitched to plenty of contact on his rehab assignment, allowing 14 hits over eight innings, but Medina topped out at 100.2 mph and averaged 97 mph with his fastball in his Tuesday start. He then proceeded to throw a bullpen session prior to Thursday's extra-innings loss to the Rays, setting him up for activation at some point this weekend. Whether Medina will immediately slot into an injury-riddled Athletics rotation remains to be seen.

Cavalli (elbow) gave up two earned runs on no hits and three walks while striking out five over 2.2 innings Thursday in a rehab start with High-A Wilmington.

Cavalli, who is on the mend from March 2023 Tommy John surgery, made the second appearance of his rehab assignment after previously covering 2.2 scoreless innings in the Florida Complex League on May 20. Though he didn't allow a hit Thursday, Cavalli struggled with his control. In addition to issuing three walks, Cavalli threw 30 of his 54 pitches for strikes, hit a batter and threw two wild pitches. He'll look to iron out his control in the subsequent starts during his rehab assignment, which is likely to last until around mid-June.

Alexander didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Athletics, allowing four runs on seven hits over 4.2 innings. He struck out seven.

While his seven punchouts matched a season high, Alexander struggled initially after opener Shawn Armstrong delivered two scoreless innings. The southpaw allowed four runs in the third, including a pair on a Shea Langeliers homer. It's been a tough stretch for Alexander of late -- he's now given up 21 runs in his last four outings (24 innings). Overall, he's 2-3 with a 6.19 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 48:13 K:BB across 56.2 innings this year.

Sandoval (2-8) was tagged with the loss against the Yankees on Thursday, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks over six innings while striking out seven.

Sandoval pitched well on the night and didn't surrender a hit until the top of the fourth when Aaron Judge took him deep for a two-run shot. The lefty would allow just one hit and one walk from that point on before being relieved by Adam Cimber to open the seventh. It was a nice bounceback effort for Sandoval after allowing a season-high eight runs in his previous start. However, he's lost his last three decisions (spanning four starts) and has walked at least three batters in three consecutive outings.

Rodon (7-2) picked up the win over the Angels on Thursday, allowing three runs on three hits and one walk over six-plus innings. He struck out five.

Rodon ran through the Angels' lineup for most of the night, surrendering one run over the first six frames while producing five 1-2-3 innings. However, the veteran lefty would run into trouble in the seventh after allowing the first three batters to reach, paving the way for Ian Hamilton to take over in relief. Rodon has won each of his last five starts, posting a 26:6 K:BB over that stretch. He's also logged quality starts in five straight outings.

Whitlock (elbow) underwent an internal bracing procedure Thursday and will not pitch again in 2024, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

Whitlock avoided Tommy John reconstruction surgery and instead had an internal bracing procedure on his right elbow UCL. The surgery was performed by Dr. Jeffrey Dugas at the Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopedics Center in Birmingham, Ala. The right-hander is expected to make a full recovery, which could take between 10 and 12 months. A return at some point during the 2025 season is expected. Whitlock's 2024 season ended after four starts; he had a 1.96 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 18.1 innings.

Williams (5-0) picked up the win over Atlanta on Thursday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over 5.2 innings while striking out four.

The right-hander was able to keep Atlanta's lineup at bay for most of the contest, allowing just one run in the bottom of the third inning after surrendering a leadoff triple to Jarred Kelenic. Williams induced 12 whiffs on the night and retired nine straight batters over his final frames before an Ozzie Albies single sent him to the showers after 95 pitches. Williams has not allowed more than one earned run in eight of his 11 starts this season while also going at least five innings in all but one start.

Pivetta (2-4) took the loss against Detroit on Thursday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out nine batters over 5.1 innings.

Pivetta's nine punchouts were his most since his season debut March 29, and the outing was a nice bounce-back from his five-run, 3.1-inning start his previous time on the mound. However, Boston's offense couldn't generate any runs, saddling the right-hander with his fourth loss. Pivetta has had a couple poor starts this season, but he's allowed two or fewer earned runs in five of his seven appearances.

Flaherty (2-4) earned the win over Boston on Thursday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out nine batters over 6.2 scoreless innings.

Flaherty was at his best Thursday, racking up 15 swinging strikes and tying his season high with 6.2 frames. The right-hander struck out exactly nine batters for the third straight contest and recorded his sixth consecutive quality start. Though the win was just his second this season, Flaherty has been very good in his first year with Detroit, posting a 3.46 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 90:10 K:BB over 67.2 innings.