MLB Player News

Kirby (5-3) took the loss Sunday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk over seven innings during a 3-2 loss to Atlanta. He struck out six.

Kirby allowed a run in the first, third and sixth en route to taking the loss but still completed at least seven innings for the fourth time over his past five outings. He also extended his quality-start streak to eight consecutive contests and currently holds a 2.62 ERA and 47:5 K:BB over 58.1 innings. Kirby will look to stay sharp during his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for the first contest of a three-game weekend set versus Pittsburgh.

Blackburn (finger), who allowed six runs (four earned) on seven hits and a walk while recording one strikeout over 3.2 innings in his most recent rehab start for Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, will toe the rubber for the Aviators again Wednesday, the team's official site reports.

Blackburn hasn't inspired any confidence during his time down on the farm, as he's pitched to a 9.69 ERA across 13 innings over five starts between Single-A Stockton and Las Vegas. The right-hander, a 2022 All-Star selection, did come out of Friday's start without any finger-related issues, but it seems fairly clear the Athletics are more concerned about his string of poor performances at the moment and therefore are affording him at least one more opportunity work out the kinks.

General manager Ben Cherington said Sunday the Pirates have yet to decide if Velasquez (elbow) will require a second minor-league rehab start, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander made his first rehab outing with Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday and threw 63 pitches across 4.2 scoreless innings. Velasquez has been on the shelf with elbow inflammation since May 5, and Pittsburgh could want to see another start in the minors in order to further build up his workload before re-inserting him into the big-league rotation.

Manager Alex Cora said Sunday "there's a good chance" Whitlock (elbow) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Saturday against the Diamondbacks, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

The 26-year-old made his second rehab start with Triple-A Worcester on Sunday and threw 79 pitches across 4.2 scoreless frames, lining him up to rejoin the big-league rotation next weekend in Arizona. Whitlock is nearly built up to a full starter's workload, so any limitations in his first start back with the Red Sox should be minor.

General manager Dana Brown said Sunday that McCullers (forearm) isn't expected to return from the injured list until "somewhere closer to the All-Star break, or after," Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The 29-year-old played catch on flat ground Sunday instead of throwing a bullpen session as previously expected, and it appears the Astros don't expect him back from the injured list until sometime in July. Dusty Baker said earlier in the day the change of plans didn't indicate a setback for McCullers, but the lengthy return timeline certainly appears to represent a halt in his progress.

Greene (0-4) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks over seven innings in a 4-1 loss to the Yankees. He struck out 10.

Greene is still winless this season despite punching out 10 batters for the third time in nine outings. He was hurt by the home-run ball Sunday, as the Yankees took the lead on Harrison Bader's two-run shot in the fifth inning before Gleyber Torres added a solo homer in the sixth. Through 50 innings this season, Greene has a mediocre 4.68 ERA and 1.50 WHIP despite a solid 69:20 K:BB.

Clevinger was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with right wrist inflammation, retroactive to May 18.

The veteran right-hander was scheduled to start Monday at Minnesota but will now be sidelined for at least the next couple weeks with the wrist issue. The severity of the injury is unclear, so it remains to be seen if Clevinger will have a chance of being reinstated when first eligible in early June.

Severino did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over 4.2 innings in a 4-1 victory over the Reds. He struck out five.

Severino surrendered a run in the first inning Sunday before holding the Reds to three hits over his final 3.2 frames. Overall, it was an encouraging debut for Severino, who was pulled after throwing 75 pitches. The Yankees will likely be careful with Severino's pitch counts after he missed the start of the season with a lat injury. He's currently lined up to face the Padres at home in his next outing.

Waldichuk, who exited Friday's loss to the Astros with a mild calf strain, was feeling better Saturday and could make his next scheduled start Wednesday, the Associated Press reports.

The southpaw's sixth-inning exit came after he'd already allowed four runs on five hits and five walks, so he may not have been long for the night at that point anyhow. However, Waldichuk did indeed suffer a strain, but manager Mark Kotsay was optimistic enough about the pitcher's overnight improvement to leave open the possibility he'd have a chance to toe the rubber when next scheduled, Wednesday night on the road against the Mariners.

Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters before Sunday's game against the Athletics that McCullers (forearm) played catch on flat ground instead of throwing a bullpen, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Baker told reporters that even with the change of plans, this should not be considered a setback for McCullers, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports. The right-hander is still in Houston to work out, but he could join the team at some point during their upcoming road trip. McCullers has missed all of 2023 with his forearm strain, and he has a chance to return to the Houston rotation in the early portion of June.