MLB Player News

The Red Sox believe Hill was tipping his pitches during Thursday's start against the Mariners, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Hill put together a nice run to start the season, pitching to a 2.89 ERA over 28 innings as Boston's fifth starter, but the left-hander experienced adversity against Seattle on Thursday. He allowed five hits during a four-run second inning, including a three-run home run and two doubles, before exiting the game having thrown just 56 pitches. "We're looking. We always look," manager Alex Cora said. "It doesn't mean that if you get hit, you're tipping. But there's a few things we saw that we have to correct. Probably, he was doing it before when he was being successful. Just a few things that we noticed and we just have got to make adjustments." Hill will look to figure out his tipping issues ahead of his next start, which is expected to come Tuesday in Chicago against the White Sox.

Suarez (4-2) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks over three innings in a 4-1 loss to the Dodgers. He struck out five.

The lefty needed 84 pitches (48 strikes) to record only nine outs, and he got stuck with the loss when the Phillies' offense couldn't repeat last week's success against Julio Urias. Suarez has seen his numbers take a big step backward so far in 2022. He's posted a 4.12 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 19.0 percent strikeout rate through 39.1 innings.

Urias (3-3) picked up the win in Friday's 4-1 victory over the Phillies, scattering two hits over five scoreless innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

One start after getting absolutely wrecked by the Phillies to the tune of eight runs and four homers, Urias shut down the potent NL East offense almost completely. The southpaw fired 52 of 80 pitches for strikes before leaving the mound, and he's now held the opposition scoreless in three of his eight outings this season. Urias will take a 2.63 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 31:8 K:BB through 41 innings into his next start.

Rogers (2-5) took the loss Friday as the Marlins were downed 5-3 by Atlanta, coughing up five runs on eight hits -- including three home runs -- and two walks over four innings. He struck out five.

The southpaw served up homers in each of the first three innings before finally getting the hook after 88 pitches (54 strikes). Rogers has not been able to duplicate his 2021 breakout, and his numbers are getting worse, not better. He's been tagged for six homers in 18.2 innings over his last four starts, matching his total through 133 innings all of last year. Rogers will carry a 5.20 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and mediocre 34:15 K:BB through 36.1 innings on the season into his next outing.

Blackburn didn't factor into the decision during Friday's 4-2 win over the Angels, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts in 4.2 innings.

Blackburn had trouble with the top of the Los Angeles order, putting on a season-high eight baserunners and ultimately falling one out short of his fifth win. The 28-year-old walked two batters for the second straight start after issuing three free passes total through his first six turns. A 2.29 FIP confirms Blackburn's 1.91 ERA, and he ranks 12th in MLB with both an 0.99 ERA and 4.86 K/BB. He lines up to face Seattle next week.

Javier (2-2) was saddled with the loss during Friday's 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Rangers, allowing one run on three hits and one walk with nine strikeouts in six innings.

Javier delivered his best start of 2022 with a 70 game score but it was spoiled by opposing starter Martin Perez's shutout. The 25-year-old posted season highs in innings (six), pitches (91) and strikeouts (nine) and rebounded nicely from a poor performance May 14 against Washington. Javier has been lights out with an 0.99 ERA when removing the Washington start and is making a strong bid to remain in the rotation once Jake Odorizzi returns from a leg injury. His next start is projected to come against Cleveland next week.

Morton (3-3) picked up the win Friday, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk over 5.1 innings in a 5-3 victory over the Marlins. He struck out five.

The veteran right-hander started strong but faded late and fell two outs short of his second straight quality start, exiting after 87 pitches (61 strikes). Morton appears to have turned a corner after a rough April, and over his last three outings he sports a 2.20 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 19:5 K:BB through 16.1 innings.

Perez (3-2) earned the win during Friday's 3-2 victory over Houston, allowing eight hits and one walk with five strikeouts in a complete-game shutout.

Perez had been pitching well lately but took his game to new heights Friday, keeping a potent Astros offense off the board in spinning just the third shutout by one pitcher of 2022. The 31-year-old tossed a season-high 108 pitches with only 13 of 73 strikes of the swinging variety; however, perhaps the most noteworthy item was manager Chris Woodward's trust after the tying run came to the plate in the ninth inning. Following two poor outings to open the season, Perez has allowed just three earned runs over his last 41.1 innings across six starts and owns a 1.64 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with a 38:12 K:BB in 49.1 innings. He'll go for an encore against Oakland next week.

Diamondbacks pitching coach Brent Strom believes the team "identified a few things" that Kelly might have done to tip his pitches during his most recent start against the Dodgers, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Kelly's results against the Dodgers came out of nowhere. He sailed through his first seven starts, posting a 1.71 ERA over 42 innings, before Los Angeles touched him for eight runs in two innings Tuesday. Strom credited the club's analytics department for helping catch what Kelly was doing, which the right-hander addressed during his between-starts session Friday. Kelly is next scheduled to pitch Sunday against the Cubs.

Wells allowed three runs on two hits and two walks while striking out four in 4.2 innings during Friday's win over the Rays. He didn't factor into the decision.

After giving up just two runs in 11 innings over his first two starts in May, Wells has been less effective recently by allowing six runs in 8.2 innings over his last two outings. The right-hander was able to settle for the no-decision in Friday's 13-inning game, but he snapped his streak of five consecutive starts without issuing a walk. Wells projects to make his next start on the road against the Yankees on Wednesday.