MLB Player News

Matz (shoulder) is targeting a return from the 15-day injured list for Sunday's game versus the Reds, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Matz pitched well in his fourth rehab appearance Tuesday, striking out seven while allowing two hits and two walks in 4.1 innings for Triple-A Memphis. He threw 81 pitches in that contest for Memphis, which suggests he'd have only a minimal workload restriction, if any, should he return Sunday. Matz has been out with the shoulder injury since May 22.

The Red Sox promoted Groome from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester on Thursday.

A 2016 first-round draft pick, Groome's ascent through the Red Sox farm system was slowed by the Tommy John surgery he had in the spring of 2018 and the cancellation of the 2020 minor-league season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He's enjoyed generally good health for the past season and a half, however, and the 6-foot-6 lefty has resumed displaying the skills that made him a sought-after prep arm a half-decade ago. Though his strikeout and walk rates have trended in the wrong direction at Portland compared to a year ago, the 23-year-old Groome still punched out 24.9 percent of the batters he faced in 2022 while submitting a 3.52 ERA over 76.2 innings.

Senzatela (shoulder) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday against the Pirates, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.

Senzatela pitched five innings in a rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Albuquerque, and he now appears set to make his return to the Rockies' rotation for the final game before the All-Star break. He's been out since July 2 with right shoulder inflammation, but he will spend the minimum 15 days on the IL. Senzatela has posted a 4.95 ERA and 1.80 WHIP with 34 punchouts over 60 innings through 13 starts this year.

Steele (3-6) took the loss Wednesday, allowing three earned runs on six hits and one walk over six innings against the Orioles. He struck out three.

Steele was reinstated from the paternity list ahead of Wednesday's start and returned with a solid six-inning effort after struggling in the opening frame. The left-hander allowed four of the first five Orioles to reach base, with three of them coming around to score before Steele got out of the jam by retiring Adley Rutschman and Ramon Urias. Steele has pitched at least five innings in eight straight starts and sports a 3.23 ERA with 39 strikeouts during that stretch. His next start isn't scheduled until after the All-Star break.

Watkins (3-1) earned the win Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over five innings against the Cubs. He struck out five.

Watkins allowed leadoff baserunners in the third and fourthinnings but was able to escape both frames without giving up a run. However, he surrendered his first run of the game in the fifth following a triple from Christopher Morel and a sacrifice fly by Rafael Ortega. Over his last four starts, Watkins has given up just three earned runs across 22.2 innings while sporting a 17:5 K:BB during that span. He finishes the first half of the 2022 campaign with a solid 3.93 ERA over 52.2 innings.

Gray (7-6) took the loss in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mariners, surrendering five runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- and three walks over five innings as the Nationals fell 6-4. He struck out seven.

The right-hander tossed only 57 of 97 pitches for strikes before exiting, and all five of the runs off him came via homer -- a three-run blast by Eugenio Suarez in the first inning, and a pair of solo shots by Jesse Winker and Adam Frazier in the fourth. Gray has been tagged for seven homers over his last four starts and 21 in 92 innings on the season, leading to a 4.40 ERA despite an otherwise palatable 1.27 WHIP and 106:39 K:BB.

Giolito (6-5) earned the win Wednesday, allowing one unearned run on five hits and one walk over 6.1 innings against the Guardians. He struck out five.

Giolito allowed leadoff doubles in the fourth and sixth innings but was able to strand both runners without giving up a run. However, the right-hander got into trouble again in the seventh after giving up a one-out single to Franmil Reyes followed by a full-count walk to Nolan Jones. Reynaldo Lopez replaced Giolito after the walk, but the starter was charged with an unearned run after Reyes scored on a fielding error by Josh Harrison. After surrendering 30 runs during a five-start streak that ended Jun 22, Giolito has given up two or fewer runs in three of his last four outings and has 26 strikeouts across 25 innings during the latter span. The right-hander isn't scheduled to start again until after the All-Star break.

Flexen (6-8) picked up the win in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Nationals, allowing one run on six hits and two walks over six innings in a 6-4 victory. He struck out one.

The right-hander also hit one batter with a pitch and managed a paltry six swinging strikes in 85 pitches, but the Nats didn't make much hard contact against Flexen, with only one of their six hits against him going for extra bases. The 28-year-old delivered his third straight quality start and eighth of the season, and he'll take a 3.84 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 67:34 K:BB through 96 innings into his next outing, which will come after the All-Star break.

Morton (5-4) took the loss Wednesday as Atlanta was downed 7-3 by the Mets, coughing up five runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- and three walks over five-plus innings. He struck out six.

The strikeouts salvaged some fantasy value for the veteran righty, but Morton wasn't really fooling anyone. He managed only nine swinging strikes among his 107 pitches, serving up multiple homers for the third time in his last seven starts while issuing at least three free passes for the third time in his last four. Despite those recent stumbles, Morton's loss was the first on his ledger since May 3, and he'll carry a 4.45 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 114:37 K:BB through 99 innings into his next outing.

Bassitt (7-6) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over six innings in a 7-3 victory over Atlanta. He struck out six.

The right-hander has produced five straight quality starts over the last month, although that streak was briefly interrupted by a stint on the COVID-19 injured list. Bassitt sports a 2.41 ERA during that stretch, lowering his mark on the season to 3.79 with a 1.14 WHIP and 104:28 K:BB through 102 innings.