MLB Player News

Alcantara pitched seven innings, giving up one run on two hits and three walks in the win Wednesday over the Diamondbacks. He struck out six and did not factor into the decision.

The only blemish on Alcantara's line came in the bottom of the third inning when Alek Thomas took him deep for a solo shot. Overall, the 26-year-old has rebounded well after a tough five-run outing against the Mariners on May 1, surrendering three runs over 11.2 innings while striking out 11 in his last two starts. Alcantara will carry a 2.74 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 37 punchouts into his next outing, which tentatively lines up to be Tuesday versus the Nationals.

Kelly pitched five innings, surrendering three runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out two in the loss to the Marlins on Wednesday. He did not factor into the decision.

Kelly gave up a two-run homer to Joey Wendle in the first inning and then an RBI single to Jacob Stallings the next frame. The outing was his shortest since his first start of the year April 8 and the two punchouts were a season low. After posting four straight quality starts -- a stretch where he produced a 1.63 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 21 strikeouts over 27.2 innings -- the streak was snapped Wednesday. Kelly now sports a 1.71 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with 38 punchouts through six starts in 2022.

The Red Sox hope Hill (illness) will return from the COVID-19 injured list to start Saturday at Texas, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

The 42-year-old is no longer symptomatic after testing positive for COVID-19 on Saturday, and he's expected to rejoin the rotation this weekend. Even if Hill isn't ready for this coming Saturday, he could still pitch in Sunday's series finale. The veteran lefty went a season-high five innings last time out May 5 and didn't allow a run with a 6:1 K:BB.

Whitlock will start Monday's game against the Astros, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Although Rich Hill (illness) is expected to return from the COVID-19 injured list this weekend, Whitlock will remain in the starting rotation with an additional day of rest prior to his next outing. While Whitlock initially lined up to start Sunday in Texas, he'll be pushed back to start Monday's series opener at home against the Astros. Following a strong start to the season, the right-hander has allowed five runs in eight innings over his last two outings, although he's struck out 14 during that time.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Strasburg (neck) is scheduled to throw another simulated game at extended spring training this weekend, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Strasburg felt good coming out of his two-inning simulated game Tuesday, so he'll face hitters for the second time this week and presumably increase his pitch count. The Nationals will reassess Strasburg after the simulated game before potentially mapping out a minor-league rehab assignment for the right-hander. Washington has thus far resisted moving Strasburg to the 60-day injured list, which signals that the team is leaving the door open for him to make his season debut for the big club before June 7.

The Rangers recalled Allard from Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

Texas sent outfielder Zach Reks to Round Rock to clear room on the 26-man active roster for Allard. The 24-year-old southpaw previously made four appearances out of the Rangers bullpen earlier this season, giving up five earned runs on seven hits and two walks over seven innings.

Wheeler is scheduled to join the Phillies in Los Angeles and return from the COVID-19 injured list to start Thursday's series opener against the Dodgers, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Along with Zach Eflin, Wheeler was one of two Philadelphia starting pitchers to land on the COVID-19 IL over the weekend. Though Eflin has yet to be activated after testing positive for the virus, Wheeler was able to clear MLB's COVID-19-related protocols in swifter fashion. He'll be returning to the mound Thursday following more than a week of rest after tossing a season-high 7.2 innings in his last outing May 4 against the Rangers.

Corry underwent surgery on his left shoulder earlier this week and is without a clear timeline for a return, Melissa Lockard of The Athletic reports. He was placed on High-A Eugene's 7-day injured list Sunday.

The Giants plan to send him in for additional follow-up examinations with a doctor before establishing a timeline for his return, but even if Corry's procedure was an arthroscopic one, there's a good chance he'll be sidelined for the remainder of the season. The 23-year-old lefty made one start for Eugene this season, covering 2.1 innings and giving up one earned run on three hits and two walks.

Velasquez and the White Sox won't play against the Guardians on Wednesday after the game was postponed due to multiple positive COVID-19 tests within Cleveland's organization, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Velasquez was slated to make his sixth start of the season Wednesday. The White Sox will likely take increased precautions to make sure their players and staff aren't dealing with COVID-19 cases after playing two games against the Guardians, but it seems likely that Chicago will be able to play its upcoming series against the Yankees. As a result of the postponement, Velasquez is now scheduled to make his next start Friday against the Yankees, per Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com.

Civale and the Guardians won't face the White Sox on Wednesday after the game was postponed due to COVID-19-related concerns within Cleveland's organization.

Wednesday's game becomes the first to be postponed during the 2022 MLB season due to non-weather-related reasons. Assuming they aren't dealing with an outbreak that forces the team to suspend operations for several days, the Guardians will return to action Friday in Minnesota. Civale would likely be pushed back two days in the schedule to start that game.