MLB Player News

The Red Sox promoted Drohan from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Chris Henrique of the "Beyond the Monster" podcast reports.

After finishing the 2022 campaign at Portland, Drohan returned to the Eastern League for the start of the 2023 season and proved to be one of the better arms on the circuit. In his six starts with Portland, the 24-year-old lefty submitted a 1.32 ERA (3.03 xFIP), 0.82 WHIP and 21.1 K-BB% over 34 innings. Now on the doorstep of the big leagues, Drohan could have a chance to debut for Boston later in the season if he continues to dominate at Worcester, though the Red Sox's ample starting depth means he may need an injury or two to hit the rotation before he gets a promotion.

Hendricks (shoulder) covered five innings in his rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Iowa, allowing two earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four.

After a rocky beginning to his four-start rehab assignment, Hendricks has looked sharp over his last two outings, working five frames in both contests and building up to 79 pitches in Sunday's start. At this point, Hendricks appears to be fully stretched out and ready to return from the 15-day injured list, with his 2023 debut for the Cubs potentially coming as soon as Friday in Philadelphia. Young right-hander Hayden Wesneski surrendered seven earned runs -- including four home runs -- in his most recent start against the Twins over the weekend and would seem most at risk of losing his spot in the rotation to Hendricks.

Ortiz is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Tigers at Comerica Park.

After getting a call-up from Triple-A Indianapolis on May 9, Ortiz stumbled in his first start of the season with the big club, giving up five runs (two earned) on seven hits and one walk over five innings en route to taking a home loss against the Rockies. The 24-year-old right-hander was more impressive over a four-start sample with the Bucs in 2022 and had pitched to a 2.23 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 32.1 innings at Triple-A prior to his call-up, however, so he'll get at least one more chance to redeem himself. Ortiz's performance Tuesday as well as the status of Vince Velasquez (elbow) heading into next week will likely dictate whether Ortiz garners any additional starts with Pittsburgh.

Lauer (4-4) earned the win Sunday, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks over 5.1 innings against the Royals. He struck out six.

Lauer took over for Colin Rea with two outs in the fourth and was able to pitch the rest of the way. He only gave up two hits, both of which went for solo home runs, and tied his season high with six strikeouts. Overall, Lauer had a nice bounce back performance after having given up 12 runs (seven earned) over his last 11.1 innings heading into Sunday. The team could opt to move him back into the starting rotation after he had a better showing than Rea or potentially operate the two as a tandem moving forward, although nothing yet has indicated a change will be made. Lauer now sits at a 4.54 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 39:18 K:BB over 39.2 innings thus far.

Rea allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three over 3.2 innings Sunday against the Royals. He did not factor into the decision.

Rea did not turn in an encouraging performance after the team announced he would replace Eric Lauer in the starting rotation, at least for the time being. He allowed runs in each of the first three frames, which was highlighted by a first inning homer from Salvador Perez, and was replaced in the fourth by Lauer after tossing 81 pitches. Lauer went on to pitch the final 16 outs of the game and had a much better showing than Rea. Though nothing has been announced yet, it's possible the Brewers could move Rea back to the bullpen in favor of Lauer or have the two work as a tandem for the foreseeable future. Rea now holds a 5.52 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 25:13 K:BB over 31 innings.

Lyles (0-7) took another loss Sunday, allowing seven runs on four hits and three walks over 2.1 innings against the White Sox. He struck out two.

Sunday was easily Lyles' worst outing of the season. He let up one run through the first two frames on a Christian Yelich homer and then completely fell apart in the third. He faced seven batters in the inning, allowing three walks, two singles and a double, which amounted to another four runs for the Brewers before he was pulled. Two additional runs were charged to him after Jose Cuas allowed both inherited runners to score off a three-run blast by Brice Turang. Lyles' velocity noticeably dropped down to 88.8 MPH after he had been averaging 90.7 with his fastball for the year. He has allowed at least one homer in seven of his nine starts this year and now owns a 7.14 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 38:17 K:BB over 51.2 innings. He's lined up for a tentative start against the White Sox next weekend.

Sandoval (3-2) took the loss Sunday, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk over 7.2 innings in a 4-3 loss against the Guardians. He struck out five.

Sandoval was sharp Sunday, allowing just an unearned run through his first seven innings before Josh Naylor smacked a go-ahead, three-run homer off Carlos Estevez in the bottom of the eighth, handing Sandoval the loss. Still, the 26-year-old left-hander has gotten off to a solid start in May, going 1-1 with a 3.32 ERA in his last three outings (19 innings). Sandoval now sports a 3.22 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP and 31:16 K:BB through 44.2 innings this season.

Bibee did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on two hits and zero walks over 7.2 innings against the Angels. He struck out seven.

Bibee was dominant Sunday, shutting out the Angels until the eighth inning. It was a strong bounce-back effort from the rookie right-hander after he allowed four runs in 3.2 innings in his last outing. Bibee has now allowed two runs or fewer in three of his first four Major-League starts. He's 1-1 with a 3.22 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 22:4 K:BB through 22.1 innings. Bibee has certainly done his part to earn a permanent spot in Cleveland's rotation, even when Aaron Civale (oblique) and Triston McKenzie (shoulder) are ready to return. He's currently lined up to face the Mets in his next outing.

Giolito (2-3) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on seven hits and no walks over six innings against the Astros. He struck out six.

Giolito put the White Sox in a quick hole after he gave up three runs on four hits in the opening frame. He settled in afterward, with his only other blemish on the day coming in the fourth after he allowed a solo home run to Yainer Diaz. Sunday was the third start of the year during which Giolito didn't issue any free passes, and he's recorded at least six strikeouts in seven of his nine outings. Despite pitching well thus far, the 28-year-old sits at two wins through the first month and a half of the season. He'll take a 3.86 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 56:11 K:BB over 53.2 innings into his next projected start against the Royals.

Brown (4-1) earned the win Sunday over the White Sox, allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out eight over 5.2 innings.

Brown was en route to picking up his fourth quality start of the season, but the Sox chased him out of the sixth after Jake Burger connected on a first pitch curveball over the field wall to make it a 4-3 ballgame. Brown also gave up a home run to Luis Robert in the fourth inning but tied his season high with eight strikeouts and registered 19 missed swings. The 24-year-old hadn't given up a home run in any of his first six starts of the year but has let up three over his last two outings. Brown now has a 3.43 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 47:17 K:BB over 44.2 innings. He's set up for a favorable matchup against the Athletics next weekend.