MLB Player News

Dunning (3-3) took the loss Wednesday against Philadelphia, allowing five runs (three earned) on four hits and a walk over 3.1 innings. He struck out four.

Dunning hadn't made a start since May 4 after enduring an IL stint due to a strained rotator cuff and was limited to 74 pitches overall. He looked rusty, giving up a solo homer to J.T. Realmuto in the third and sending a pick-off attempt toward second base into the outfield to allow Nick Castellanos to score from third during the second frame. Dunning should remain on a pitch count for the next start or two as he gets fully stretched out. The 29-year-old is tentatively scheduled to face the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

Bello (5-2) allowed three runs on four hits and four walks while striking out six over six innings to earn the win over the Rays on Wednesday.

Bello completed six innings for the second time in eight outings this season, and he earned his second quality start in the process. The Rays scored three times in the second inning, but the Red Sox offense rallied for eight runs over the fifth and sixth frames to give Bello plenty of support. The right-hander is now at a 4.04 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 37:13 K:BB through 42.1 innings. Walks typically haven't been an outsized issue for Bello, so there's not much reason for concern that he was a little wild Wednesday. He's projected to make his next start on the road versus the Orioles.

Ragans (4-3) picked up the win in Wednesday's 8-3 victory over the Tigers, allowing one hit and three walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out 12.

A clash with fellow star southpaw Tarik Skubal brought out the best in Ragans, who fanned a career-high 12 batters and generated a whopping 35 called or swinging strikes among his 100 pitches. The 26-year-old has reeled off 13 straight shutout innings over his last two starts, and he'll take a 3.34 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 76:21 K:BB through 62 innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week in Minnesota.

Skubal (6-1) took the loss Wednesday as the Tigers were downed 8-3 by the Royals, giving up four runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out six.

In a matchup of elite southpaws, Skubal wasn't able to keep pace with Cole Ragans and failed to complete six innings for only the second time this season in 10 starts, while tying his season high in runs allowed. Skubal also served up a solo shot to Nelson Velazquez in the fourth inning, just the fourth homer off him in 60 innings. Skubal will take a 2.25 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 72:10 K:BB into his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Pirates.

Brown (1-5) took the loss Wednesday, giving up two runs on two hits and three walks over six innings in a 2-1 loss to the Angels. He struck out three.

The right-hander put together arguably his best start of the season and made only one real mistake, but a fifth-inning sinker got too much of the plate and Kyren Paris drove it out of the park to left-center field for a two-run homer. It was only Brown's second quality start of the year, and he's served up nine home runs in just 43.1 innings, fueling a 7.06 ERA. With Ronel Blanco (suspension) rejoining the rotation this weekend and Jose Urquidy (forearm) likely not far behind in his return, it's not clear when Brown might make his next trip to the mound.

Rodriguez (back) allowed an unearned run on one hit and one walk while retiring one batter in his rehab appearance for Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday.

Rodriguez tossed 16 pitches in the outing, his first at any level since the Blue Jays placed him on the 15-day injured list April 30 with thoracic spine inflammation. Per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, Rodriguez is scheduled to cover two innings and toss around 30-to-35 pitches in his next rehab appearance later this week, which could be his last before he makes his return from the IL.

Anderson (5-4) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on six hits and two walks over eight innings in a 2-1 victory over the Astros. He struck out four.

The veteran southpaw needed 95 pitches (65 strikes) to deliver his third straight quality start and seventh of the season, and Anderson's eight frames marked his longest outing of the season. He'll take an impressive 2.52 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 44:23 K:BB through 64.1 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home next week against the Yankees.

Whitlock is scheduled to visit Dr. Jeff Dugas in Birmingham, Ala. on May 30, at which point a decision will be made whether he'll require surgery to address his right elbow sprain, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Whitlock was originally placed on the 15-day injured list April 17 with a left oblique strain, but the health of his pitching elbow is now the Red Sox's chief concern after he sustained the injury in his lone rehab start for Triple-A Worcester last Wednesday. He's reportedly dealing with damage to his UCL, so while the early expectation is that he'll need some kind of procedure to address the injury, he'll first consult with Dr. Dugas to see if rest and rehab is a viable treatment plan. Even if Whitlock is able to avoid surgery, he's still likely looking at an extended absence and likely won't be ready to rejoin the Red Sox until the second half of the season even in a best-case scenario.

Means was removed from Wednesday's start against the Cardinals due to left elbow discomfort and will undergo medical testing, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The injury wasn't immediately reported as the left-hander's departure after three innings coincided with a rain delay. Means entered the contest with an average fastball velocity of 90.9 mph this season, but he sat two ticks below that Wednesday. The 31-year-old missed most of last season while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and a back injury, so another elbow issue could be a significant concern.

McKenzie did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Mets, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out five.

McKenzie didn't appear to have his best stuff Wednesday, as he'd allow three solo homers before departing with a 3-0 deficit in the sixth inning. However, the Guardians would rally for six unanswered runs in an eventual victory, sparing McKenzie the loss. Still, it's the first time in seven starts that McKenzie's allowed more than two earned runs -- he came into the day with a 2.10 ERA over his prior six outings. Overall, the 26-year-old right-hander sports a 3.44 ERA with a 1.34 WHIP and 45:31 K:BB over 10 starts (52.1 innings) this season. McKenzie's next start is currently lined up for early next week against the Rockies in Colorado.