MLB Player News

Houck (personal) isn't listed as a starter during Boston's weekend series against the Orioles, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Houck is unvaccinated and was ineligible to pitch during the team's road trip to Toronto, and he won't start in any of the first three games after the Red Sox return to the United States. If the right-hander doesn't serve in a piggyback role against the Orioles, he'll likely draw a start against the Angels next week.

Singer was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Singer began the season in a bullpen role and posted a 6.35 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 5.2 innings during three relief appearances. He'll attempt to right the ship as a starter in the minors and will presumably be an option to fill in if the Royals' rotation staff deals with injuries at some point, per Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star.

Through three starts for Single-A Clearwater, Painter hasn't allowed an earned run with a 0.58 WHIP and a 30:3 K:BB over 12 innings.

Yes, you read that right -- the 19-year-old has a 22.5 K/9 right now. In his most recent outing, Painter faced 16 batters and struck out 14 of them, allowing just a single hit. While it's worth bearing in mind that Painter is very young and likely still years away from the big leagues, he's sure to get bumped to High-A in no time if he keeps dominating the competition like this.

Ryan (3-1) earned the win Wednesday against the Tigers, allowing zero runs on one hit and one walk while striking out nine.

Ryan has submitted back-to-back scoreless outings and earned the victory in each of his last three starts. The 25-year-old is off to a hot start in his first full MLB campaign and currently sports a 1.17 ERA across 23.0 innings with a 25:6 K:BB. His next start is tentatively scheduled for Monday in Baltimore.

Morton didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 6-3 extra-inning loss to the Cubs, giving up three runs on four hits and four walks over 2.1 innings. He struck out one.

The veteran right-hander got taken off the hook for his third loss of the year when Atlanta tied things up in the eighth inning, but this was still an uncharacteristically poor outing from Morton, who had lasted at least five innings in each of his first three starts of 2022. Control seems to be his biggest issue right now, as he's walked 10 batters while striking out only 10 in his last 12.2 innings, though Morton's track record should provide some reassurance his 7.00 ERA and 1.78 WHIP on the season will come down.

Stripling didn't factor into the decision during Wednesday's 7-1 loss to the Red Sox, giving up one run on five hits over five innings. He struck out seven and didn't record a walk.

After giving up an RBI double to Rafael Devers in the top of the first inning, Stripling settled down and pitched four scoreless innings. He got into trouble in the third, allowing three singles to load the bases, but he got out of the jam by registering back-to-back strikeouts of Devers and J.D. Martinez. After coming out of the bullpen during his first two appearances, Stripling has started three consecutive contests and logged his most innings and pitches (84) of the season during Wednesday's outing. His next start is tentatively scheduled for Monday against the Yankees.

Wacha (2-0) allowed one run on four hits over six innings Wednesday to earn the victory in Toronto. He struck out five and walked two.

Wacha allowed a baserunner in each of the first three innings, but there wasn't any real trouble until the third when he allowed back-to-back singles to open the frame. However, the veteran righty was able to limit the damage and get out of the jam by striking out Lourdes Gurriel on three consecutive pitches. The 30-year-old has posted a 1.77 ERA across 20.1 innings to begin his Boston tenure and has wins in consecutive starts. Wacha's next outing is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday against the Angels.

Lopez (3-0) picked up the win in Wednesday's 2-1 victory over the Nationals, scattering three hits and a walk over six scoreless innings while striking out six.

A two-out double by Yadiel Hernandez in the fourth inning accounted for the only baserunner to get into scoring position, as Lopez delivered another dominant performance. The right-hander extended his scoreless streak to 18.1 innings, as he hasn't given up a run since the final frame of his first start of the year. Lopez will carry a minuscule 0.39 ERA, 0,73 WHIP and 23:4 K:BB through 23.1 IP into his next outing.

The Reds placed Lodolo on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a lower-back strain, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The transaction is retroactive to Monday, so he'll be eligible to return from the IL as soon as May 5 if he makes a swift recovery from the back issue. Though the Reds haven't indicated the injury is a long-term concern, it's nonetheless a disappointing development for the rookie lefty, who rebounded from a rough MLB debut April 13 against the Guardians by submitting a 3.37 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB in 10.2 innings between his last two starts.

Blackburn (3-0) earned the win over San Francisco on Wednesday, tossing five scoreless innings during which he allowed three hits and one walk while striking out four.

The left-hander's surprising season continued with his third win in four starts despite receiving very little offensive support and watching his defense commit two errors behind him. Blackburn induced 12 swinging strikes and allowed only one extra-base hit while finishing with his second scoreless outing of the campaign. Perhaps the only knock on his performance thus far is that he has yet to post a quality start, as Blackburn has gone exactly five innings in each of his four outings this season. Still, he has been one of the league's biggest surprises in 2022, as the 28-year-old entered the campaign with a career 6-11 record and 5.74 ERA. He'll look to keep the momentum going in his next scheduled start, which is tentatively slated to come at home against Tampa Bay on Tuesday.