MLB Player News

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Pivetta (elbow) will play catch Saturday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Pivetta landed on the injured list just three days ago with a right elbow flexor strain, so it's a good sign that he's already been cleared to throw. The hope is that the right-hander won't be sidelined long. Cooper Criswell is expected to be called up from Triple-A Worcester to fill Pivetta's spot in the Red Sox's rotation.

Buehler will continue his minor-league rehab assignment Friday with a start for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.

It's the third start of Buehler's rehab assignment, and he built up to 65 pitches over 4.2 innings his last time out. The Dodgers will decide whether additional rehab starts are necessary after Friday's outing, and it's possible the right-hander is cleared to make his season debut as early as next week.

Rodriguez is with the Blue Jays in Toronto and will be officially recalled prior to Saturday's game versus the Rockies, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Whether he will start Saturday's game is not yet clear. Bowden Francis is currently scheduled for Saturday's start, but he's been torched for 12 runs over his first 8.1 innings. Toronto could also utilize Rodriguez as long relief protection in the event Francis has another short outing. Rodriguez has tossed 6.1 shutout innings with a 10:3 K:BB in his first two starts with Triple-A Buffalo.

Schmidt and the Yankees won't play against the Guardians on Friday since the game was postponed due to inclement weather.

The game will be made up via a split doubleheader Saturday. Schmidt will start Game 1 of the twin bill while Cody Poteet will be called up to start the nightcap, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic.

Carrasco and the Guardians will not play Friday after their game versus the Yankees was postponed by inclement weather.

The game will be made up as part of a split doubleheader Saturday. Carrasco and Clarke Schmidt, who had been slated to start for New York on Friday, will presumably be pushed back a day.

The Mets are expected to call up Butto from Triple-A Syracuse to start Sunday against the Royals, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Adrian Houser would be on regular rest Sunday, but the Mets will go ahead and bring Butto up this weekend rather waiting until early next week. Butto tossed six innings of one-run ball in a spot start last week against the Tigers after nearly winning a rotation spot following a strong showing this spring. The 26-year-old should be in line to make at least one additional start after Sunday due to Tylor Megill (shoulder) still being on the injured list.

Whitlock allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out four batters over five innings in a no-decision against Baltimore on Thursday.

Whitlock held the Orioles scoreless until Colton Cowser belted a solo shot off him in the fifth inning, but he ended up with a no-decision due to a late Baltimore rally. The right-hander has allowed one or zero runs in each of his three starts so far this season, though he's yet to go beyond five frames. Overall, Whitlock's 1.26 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 16:6 K:BB across 14.1 frames have made for a strong beginning to his first season as a full-time starter.

Rodriguez allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five batters over 5.2 innings in a no-decision against Boston on Thursday.

Rodriguez gave up a pair of runs in the first inning but settled down thereafter, holding the Red Sox scoreless over the remainder of his outing. He was in line for the loss upon his departure but ended up with a no-decision as a result of the Orioles putting together a late rally. Rodriguez logged his shortest start and lowest strikeout total of the campaign, which goes to show how well he's pitched thus far. Through three starts, the 23-year-old has recorded a 2.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB across 18 innings.

Jones (1-2) took the loss against Philadelphia on Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and no walks while striking out eight batters over 6.1 innings.

The rookie right-hander was very good in the outing, but home runs by Alec Bohm in the fourth inning and Brandon Marsh in the seventh accounted for three runs against him, which was enough to tag Jones with his second straight loss. He nonetheless continues to impress, as he's notched a quality start in two straight outings and has punched out at least seven batters in all three of his appearances so far this season. Overall, Jones has a a 4.00 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and outstanding 25:2 K:BB through 18 innings as a big-leaguer, so fantasy managers who roster him have ample reason to be excited for what lies ahead.

Suarez (2-0) earned the win over Pittsburgh on Thursday, tossing six scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and two walks while striking out eight batters.

Suarez didn't allow any extra-base hits in the dominant outing, and the Pirates didn't get any runners to third base against him. The southpaw racked up a season-high eight punchouts and recorded his second straight quality start. Suarez has been great through three appearances this season, posting a 2.65 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 19 strikeouts over 17 innings. It's a small sample size, but it's promising that he's also cut his walk rate significantly compared to last season, as he's walked just three batters over those 17 frames thus far.