MLB Player News

Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that he hasn't discussed with Houck (elbow) about what his role will look like once he returns from the 15-day injured list following the All-Star break, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

The Red Sox recalled Richard Fitts from Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, and Cora indicated that he would get the first chance at replacing the injured Hunter Dobbins (knee) in the rotation. Unless the Red Sox decide to commit to a six-man rotation or elect to move Walker Buehler to the bullpen, Houck doesn't look as though he'll have a starting role waiting for him once he's activated. The skipper's hesitance in clearing a spot in the rotation for Houck is justified, as the right-hander owns a hefty 8.04 ERA and 1.69 WHIP through nine starts. He had an up-and-down performance during his five rehab starts between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester, submitting a 5.74 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 15.2 innings.

Fried was removed from Saturday's game against the Cubs due to a blister on his left index finger.

Fried threw 73 pitches in a rare disaster of a start between him constantly looking at his thumb and getting some unfortunate bounces off weak contact and then an error in what will be his shortest start of an All-Star season. He gave up four runs (three earned) and struck out a modest two hitters while throwing just 39 strikes. The one bit of positive news here is that Fried and the Yankees have the All-Star break working in their favor ahead of Fried's next scheduled start.

Lorenzen was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday against the Mets due to an illness.

Lorenzen's illness will put an early end to his first half, and he'll carry a 4.61 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP through 99.2 innings into the All-Star break. While he recovers, Angel Zerpa will start on the mound Saturday in what is likely to be a bullpen game for the Royals.

Matthews (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Matthews has been on the shelf since June 8 while recovering from a right shoulder strain, but after checking out fine after live hitters for Tuesday, he's been given the green light to pitch in the minors. Because the 25-year-old has been out for over a month, he'll likely require at least a couple of rehab starts before making his return from the 15-day injured list.

The Red Sox recalled Fitts from Triple-A Worcester on Saturday.

With Hunter Dobbins (knee) set to miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL, Fitts will come up from the minors to fill the void on the pitching staff. The Red Sox haven't indicated whether Fitts will take over Dobbins' spot in the rotation, however, as Tanner Houck (elbow) could be ready to return from the 15-day injured list following the All-Star break and may get the nod ahead of Fitts. The 25-year-old has already made eight starts for Boston this season, posting a 4.28 ERA and 1.22 WHIP to go with a 28:10 K:BB through 33.2 innings.

The Red Sox placed Dobbins on the 15-day injured list Saturday after he was diagnosed with a torn ACL in his right knee.

The Red Sox were anticipating a serious knee injury for Dobbins after he exited early in his start Friday against the Rays, and follow-up tests confirmed that he sustained a ligament tear. The 25-year-old will require surgery and will miss the rest of the season, spelling an end to a solid rookie campaign in which he posted a 4.13 ERA and 1.28 WHIP alongside a 45:17 K:BB through 61 innings with the big club. Richard Fitts was promoted from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move and could take Dobbins' spot in the rotation following the All-Star break.

Blalock is slated to start Saturday's game against the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

The Rockies called Blalock up from Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday, but after going unused out of the bullpen in the team's ensuing four games, he'll now slot into the rotation spot vacated by Chase Dollander, who was optioned to the minors earlier this week. Over five appearances (three starts) with Colorado on the season, Blalock owns a 12.94 ERA and 2.06 WHIP in 16 innings. He won't make for a reliable streaming option Saturday against a Reds squad that tagged him for six runs over four innings back on April 27 at Coors Field.

Dobbins is feared to have suffered a serious knee injury during Friday's game against Tampa Bay, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Dobbins hurt himself while covering first base during Friday's contest. Boston is still in the process of evaluating the damage done to the right-hander's knee, which may include an ACL injury, though early indications suggest that he will most likely have to miss a significant amount of time.

Blackburn (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Sunday before beginning a rehab assignment at Single-A Port St. Lucie after the All-Star break, MLB.com reports.

With Kodai Senga rejoining the rotation Friday and Sean Manaea (elbow/oblique) expected back Sunday, the Mets don't need to rush Blackburn back to patch over holes in the rotation. The 31-year-old right-hander should still be ready to come off the IL in late July, but it will likely be in a long-relief role.

Anderson didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 6-5 win over the Diamondbacks, giving up four runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out three.

The Angels gave Anderson a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, but the veteran southpaw immediately handed it right back in the top of the second. He left the mound after 84 pitches (54 strikes), and Anderson will head into the All-Star break with his rotation spot potentially hanging by a thread -- he hasn't picked up a win since April 18, and over eight starts since the beginning of June, he's stumbled to a 5.75 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 36:15 K:BB over 40.2 innings.