MLB Player News

Hill (0-1) took the loss Saturday, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks over five innings against the Reds. He struck out seven.

Opposing pitcher Nick Lodolo labored in the first inning but ended up outpitching Hill to spoil the veteran's Pirates debut. While the seven strikeouts look okay, Hill only induced six swinging strikes on 84 pitches, and he served up a pair of home runs. The 43-year-old southpaw is now with his 12th different major-league team and looking to ride his trademark curveball to one more winning season. It will be tough on this Pirates team, but he did it last year (8-7) for a last-place Red Sox club.

Severino (lat) threw Friday and Saturday without issues, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

Severino is still limited to light throwing, but it's a positive that he's already begun throwing in some capacity less than a week after suffering a low-grade lat strain. He hopes to miss only three or four starts, and while the Yankees have yet to confirm that timeline, the fact that he's already throwing seemingly suggests he has a chance.

Lodolo (1-0) earned the win Saturday, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out nine.

The lefty had trouble putting hitters away in the first inning, needing 35 pitches to get through the frame. Lodolo settled in from there and racked up an impressive 22 swinging strikes on 109 total pitches. He threw his changeup more and noted after the game that he had been working on the change and felt he found the pitch late in spring training. If the changeup comes along, Lodolo could break out. He is already looking like a big part of the Reds' future.

Ray's MRI on Saturday with his elbow revealed that he's dealing with a Grade 1 flexor strain, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Ray will be shut down for two weeks while receiving daily treatment and then will be reevaluated. The left-hander told reporters that he didn't experience any pain until the second inning of Friday's start against the Guardians. There's no estimated timetable for Ray to return, but it appears the 31-year-old will miss at least a month before he's able to return to the mound for the Mariners. Chris Flexen will likely take his place in the rotation.

Lyles (0-1) allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks over 5.1 innings, taking the loss versus Twins on Saturday.

It was far from a dominant effort for the Lyles, but he was able to get out of the jams he created and pitched well enough to win if he would have received some run support. The Royals provided none. The right-hander is expected to be back on the mound next week for a tough home matchup against the Blue Jays.

Gray (1-0) allowed three hits and four walks while striking out one over five scoreless innings, earning the win Saturday over the Royals.

Gray kept the Kansas City lineup off-balance through the majority of the outing, and 52 of his 83 pitches ended up landing in the strike zone. It was far from a dominant effort, but it's tough to complain about five scoreless frames in a season debut. Gray's projected to face off against the Astros next week in a much tougher matchup on paper.

Bello (forearm) will make a rehab start Wednesday for Triple-A Worcester, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Bello is on the 15-day injured list because of right forearm inflammation, but it is not expected to be a long absence. The right-hander will likely make two rehab appearances for Worcester, and then he'll have a chance to rejoin the Boston rotation in the middle of April.

Paxton (hamstring) is scheduled to make a rehab start Tuesday for Triple-A Worcester, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Paxton will make the rehab start in Buffalo against the Blue Jays' Triple-A club. The left-hander is making his way back from a hamstring strain that sidelined him throughout the spring season, and he will likely need to make multiple starts in the minors before rejoining the Red Sox near the end of April.

Ray was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left flexor strain Saturday.

Ray didn't look right against the Guardians on Friday, walking five batters in 3.1 innings while giving up five runs (three earned). A timeline for his return has not yet been established. Chris Flexen, who's started 53 games over the last two years, is likely to step into the rotation in his place, though the Mariners have yet to confirm their plans.

Flexen allowed an earned run on four hits and three walks across four innings in a loss to the Guardians on Friday. He struck out one and did not factor into the decision.

Starter Robbie Ray was chased after 3.1 innings, leading to what could have been a busy night for the bullpen. However, Flexen, a member of the rotation for most of the last two seasons, ate up some valuable innings in the back end of the contest and spared the arms of several fellow relievers in the process. Having thrown 66 pitches Friday, Flexen is unlikely to be available again until after the weekend.