MLB Player News

Paxton (hamstring) will make a rehab start for Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Paxton covered three frames during an intrasquad game this week after his rehab outing was scratched due to weather concerns, and he's scheduled to pitch four innings Sunday with Worcester. The veteran left-hander will likely require an additional rehab outing or two before potentially being cleared to join Boston's rotation.

Bello (forearm) is scheduled to make a rehab start Tuesday for Triple-A Worcester, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

The right-hander threw 72 pitches across five innings during an extended spring training appearance earlier this week, and he's scheduled to progress to six innings Tuesday. Bello could be cleared to return from the injured list if all goes well with Worcester.

Painter (elbow) was placed on Double-A Reading's 60-day injured list Thursday.

The transaction isn't much of a surprise after the 19-year-old was shut down for a month in March due to a sprained UCL in his right elbow. Painter is expected start up a throwing program next week, and it'll be a while before he approaches game action.

Overton will start Sunday's game against the Phillies, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The 29-year-old lined up to start Monday in Atlanta, but the Reds opted to flip Overton's and Graham Ashcraft's spots in the rotation. Overton struggled in his season debut against the Cubs on April 3, giving up five runs on eight hits with five strikeouts and a walk over four innings.

Ashcraft won't start Sunday at Philadelphia as previously scheduled and will instead pitch Monday in Atlanta, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

There doesn't appear to be an injury situation, but Ashcraft will still receive an extra day of rest between starts. Connor Overton, who was originally slated to pitch Monday, will move up a day to start Sunday's series finale with the Phillies.

Shuster was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

The 24-year-old surrendered four runs across four innings and issued four walks Friday against the Padres, and it's not a surprise he's returning to the minors with Kyle Wright (shoulder) nearing his return from the injured list. Shuster's big-league career hasn't gotten off to a great start with an 8.31 ERA, 2.42 WHIP and 5:9 K:BB through two outings.

Whitlock (hip) was in the Red Sox's clubhouse Saturday and said he's scheduled to pitch Tuesday against the Rays, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

The 26-year-old made his second minor-league rehab start Thursday and allowed just one run on one hit with eight strikeouts and one walk over six innings. Whitlock began the season on the shelf while finishing up his rehab from last September's hip surgery, but he's poised to make his season debut Tuesday in Tampa Bay.

Blackburn (finger) allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and a walk over 1.2 innings in Single-A Stockton's loss to Modesto on Friday.

Making his first rehab start, Blackburn labored through 40 pitches, with only 22 finding the strike zone. The right-hander did exceed his 35-pitch target, but it was a rough landing all the way around to begin his rehab assignment. Given his struggles, it remains to be seen whether Blackburn will move to a higher-level affiliate for his next minor-league start.

Brito was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre ahead of his start against the Orioles on Saturday.

Brito delivered five scoreless innings during his MLB debut last Sunday and will make another turn through the rotation Saturday. The 25-year-old spent most of last season at Triple-A and had a 3.31 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 53:24 K:BB across 70.2 innings. Josh Donaldson (hamstring) and Jonathan Loaisiga (elbow) were placed on the injured list.

Ragans allowed one hit and one walk while striking out three over 1.1 scoreless innings in Friday's 2-0 loss to the Cubs.

Ragans held the Cubs in check over the sixth and the seventh innings, but Texas bats (three hits) could never get on track. The hard-throwing left-hander has walked four batters over 3.1 innings but managed to prevent damage while striking out five. With the news that Jake Odorizzi will have season-ending shoulder surgery, Ragans should continue to serve as a reliever capable of multiple innings.