MLB Player News

Gray (2-1) earned the win Tuesday after he pitched seven scoreless, giving up four hits and a walk while striking out 10 versus the Tigers.

Gray was dominant Tuesday, allowing only one extra-base hit while striking out a season-high 10 batters. The outing was his longest of the campaign and he has allowed two or fewer runs in all six of his starts on the year. Since returning from the injured list May 6, Gray has posted a 1.69 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 30 strikeouts over 21.1 frames in four starts. His season-long numbers now stand at a 2.60 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over six outings. The 32-year-old tentatively lines up to toe the rubber Sunday versus the Royals.

Contreras allowed three hits and two walks over five scoreless innings during Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Rockies in 10 innings. He had five strikeouts and didn't factor in the decision.

The 22-year-old was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to start Monday's contest, and he immediately delivered a strong performance. Contreras opened the season on the big-league roster as a long reliever, and he had a 3.52 ERA over 7.2 innings before being sent to Indianapolis to get stretched out. The right-hander is now back in the majors and is getting the chance to prove he belongs in the starting rotation.

Freeland did not factor in the decision Tuesday against the Pirates, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out six.

The left-hander didn't give up a hit through the first four frames Tuesday, but Pittsburgh tallied a run on two hits and a walk during the fifth before he was pulled. Freeland has issued a walk in every start this season and multiple walks in four straight outings. He'll carry a 4.85 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 40:15 K:BB across 48 innings (nine starts) into his next outing, which tentatively lines up for Sunday in Washington.

Stroman (2-4) allowed two runs on four hits across five innings to earn the win Tuesday against the Reds. He walked two and struck out eight.

The Cubs scored three runs in the first inning and 11 in the game, so Stroman got plenty of run support in an easy win while also recording a new season high in strikeouts. The righty started the season slowly and his ERA is still a bit high at 4.71, but he's been better lately with a 2.35 ERA across his past four starts, and he's gone 2-2 in that stretch. He'll look to keep it rolling in his next scheduled start Monday as part of a doubleheader against the Brewers.

Canning (back) said he won't undergo surgery on his back after visiting a specialist Monday, and he hopes to pitch again this season, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander has been battling the back issues since last July and suffered a setback during spring training, but he'll opt for a rehab program rather than surgery. Canning doesn't have a timeline to start a throwing program, so it seems unlikely he'll be back during the first half of the season. He can continue to be considered out indefinitely at least until he's able to participate in some baseball activities..

Sale (ribs) completed a 15-pitch bullpen session Tuesday and mixed in all his pitch types, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The veteran left-hander is scheduled for another bullpen session Friday and is expected to throw up to 25 pitches. Sale will likely throw another bullpen after that before progressing to live batting practice, which could be the final hurdle before he begins a minor-league rehab assignment.

DeGrom (shoulder) is playing catch from about 100 feet Tuesday and could begin throwing bullpen sessions as early as this weekend, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

The 33-year-old continues to extend his throwing distance and is now closing in on a return to mound work. The right-hander underwent an MRI last week which showed "continued healing in the scapula," and he's been ramping up the intensity of his throwing program as a result. There's no clear timeline for deGrom's return to game action, but it's clear he's progressing in his rehab work, and it's possible he could be back before the All-Star break.

Kopech won't start this week as the White Sox look to give him some extra rest, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Kopech pitched on extra rest Sunday against the Yankees and was dominant, throwing seven shutout innings while allowing just one hit. He isn't scheduled to pitch in any of his team's games this week, and the White Sox have an off day Monday, so it looks as though he'll pitch on eight days' rest May 31 in Toronto. The news is unfortunate for those with Kopech already locked into their weekly lineups, but the White Sox were always going to find some way to limit Kopech's workload this season, as he's pitching out of the rotation for the first time since 2018 after throwing just 69.1 regular-season innings last year.

Garrett (shoulder) is expected to be activated from Triple-A Jacksonville's 7-day injured list to start Sunday for the affiliate, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Garrett hasn't pitched for Jacksonville since April 26 while recovering from left shoulder inflammation. He looks ready to slot back into the rotation this weekend, however, after he completed a rehab start Saturday for Single-A Jupiter. He tossed 2.2 innings in that start, striking out five while giving up two earned runs on three hits and two walks.

Luzardo (forearm) has yet to start a throwing program since being placed on the 15-day injured list in mid-May, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old is eligible to be activated later this week but obviously won't be ready to return at that point. Luzardo is dealing with a strained left forearm, and his return timeline isn't likely to receive much clarity until he's at least able to resume throwing.