MLB Player News

Williams (1-0 ) earned the win Thursday over the White Sox, allowing a run on three hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out seven.

Williams allowed a run in the first inning before settling down to blank the White Sox over his final four frames, retiring 12 of the last 13 batters he faced. Williams lowered his ERA to 3.46 with a 1.38 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB through his first three starts (13 innings) this year. He'll look to build on Thursday's outing in his next start, tentatively lined up for next week in Baltimore.

Littell (0-3) took the loss Thursday against the Angels, allowing seven runs on eight hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out four.

Littell fell victim to the home-run ball Thursday -- he gave up a solo shot to Taylor Ward on his second pitch of the game before the Angels added five runs on three homers off Littell in the fifth. The 29-year-old Littell has now dropped three straight starts to open the year, posting a 6.88 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB across 17 innings. He's currently lined up for a home matchup with the Red Sox in his next outing.

The White Sox are expected to call up Meidroth from Triple-A Charlotte, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Acquired from the Red Sox over the offseason in the Garrett Crochet trade, Meidroth earned the promotion by slashing .267/.450/.600 with three home runs, two stolen bases and a 5:8 K:BB over his first nine contests with Charlotte. He has played both second base and shortstop with Charlotte, but each of his last four starts there have come at shortstop, and that's likely the position where the White Sox intend to use him. The White Sox will need to make space on their 40-man roster in order to add Meidroth.

Ward went 3-for-5 with a pair of home runs and three total RBI in Thursday's 11-1 win over Tampa Bay.

Ward led off the game with an opposite-field homer off Zack Littell before extending the lead to 5-1 with a two-run blast in the fifth. Ward now has three home runs in his last two games after going 10 contests without a long ball to begin the year. The 31-year-old outfielder is batting .235 with a .704 OPS, six RBI and six runs scored through 25 plate appearances this season.

Soriano (2-1) earned the win Thursday over the Rays, allowing one run on five hits and three walks over 7.2 innings. He struck out four.

Soriano was efficient Thursday, working into the eighth inning on just 93 pitches. He also got more than enough run support, as the Angels cruised to an 11-1 victory. Soriano's gotten off to a nice start this season, pitching to a 2.70 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB through his first three starts (20 innings). The right-hander is currently lined up for a road matchup with the Rangers in his next outing.

Adell went 2-for-4 with two home runs and four total RBI in Thursday's 11-1 win over the Rays.

Adell led off the fifth inning with his first homer of the year, a 409-foot blast off Zack Littell that extended the Angels' lead to 3-1. Adell didn't have to wait long for his second long ball -- he came to the plate again with two outs in the fifth and smacked a three-run shot off Mason Englert, bookending an eight-run frame. It was quite a performance from Adell, who'd gone 0-for-10 in his past three games prior to Thursday. He's now slashing .226/.294/.452 with eight RBI and four runs scored through 34 plate appearances this season.

The Twins could recall Matthews and install him as part of a temporary six-man rotation, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

David Festa is expected to be promoted to start Friday, filling the rotation spot vacated by Pablo Lopez (hamstring). However, Matthews is a candidate to get a look in the majors soon as well as the Twins look to build in some extra rest for their other starters. Matthews has been dynamite in his first two starts with Triple-A St. Paul this season, allowing two runs with a 13:1 K:BB over 10 innings. It's not yet clear when he might start for the Twins, but he's a good candidate to stash in fantasy leagues where he's still available.

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre reinstated Matzek from its 7-day injured list Wednesday.

Matzek made his debut for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in Wednesday's 7-4 loss to Rochester, striking out three and allowing two hits over two scoreless innings. The left-hander opened the season on the IL after sustaining an oblique strain in early March, but he was cleared to join the Triple-A bullpen after making a one-inning rehab appearance for Single-A Tampa on Sunday. The 34-year-old will look to string together more quality appearances for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as he aims to earn a call-up to the Yankees. His contract contains a May 1 opt out if he isn't promoted to the big leagues before then.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Yoshida (shoulder) will begin playing in extended spring training games next week, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Cora noted that Yoshida currently has good days and bad days with how his surgically repaired right shoulder is feeling and won't be cleared for a formal minor-league rehab assignment until he is throwing at full strength consistently. With Rafael Devers at designated hitter and Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu absorbing the bulk of the outfield at-bats with the big club, Yoshida faces uncertainty with his playing time once he's deemed ready to rejoin the active roster.

Bliss will undergo surgery Friday to repair his left biceps tear and is expected to be sidelined 4-to-5 months, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Bliss suffered the injury on a swing during Tuesday's game against the Astros and was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday. The 25-year-old had been serving as the Mariners' primary second baseman but is now looking at a lengthy rehab. Dylan Moore should see the bulk of the playing time at second base for Seattle moving forward.