MLB Player News

The Guardians optioned Curry to Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday, Joe Noga of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Despite tossing five innings of two-hit, shutout ball in his return from the 15-day injured list in Monday's 6-0 win over the Red Sox, Curry will end up moving back to Triple-A just two days later. With injuries having already tested the Guardians' rotation depth early on this season, Curry could end up staying on a regular starting schedule in Columbus. Curry doesn't look like he'll be the top choice to take Gavin Williams' (elbow) spot in the rotation, however, as Ben Lively (illness) will come off the 15-day IL to start Wednesday and could continue to make regular starts until Williams is ready to make his season debut.

The Guardians reinstated Lively (illness) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday versus the Red Sox in Boston.

Cleveland moved reliever Eli Morgan (shoulder) to the 15-day IL in a corresponding move to make room for Lively, who will be making his Guardians debut Wednesday. Lively got stretched out to 5.1 innings and 55 pitches in his second and final rehab start with Triple-A Columbus last week, so he could have some minor workload restrictions in place in his return from the IL. With Shane Bieber (elbow) out for the season and Xzavion Curry getting optioned to Triple-A following a spot start Monday, Lively could be in line to make multiple turns through the Cleveland rotation until Gavin Williams (elbow) is ready to return from the IL.

Suarez allowed three hits and no walks over 5.2 scoreless innings during Wednesday's 4-2 win versus Minnesota. He struck out four and didn't factor in the decision.

The 34-year-old was a surprise selection to start Tuesday, which was his first MLB appearance since 2017, but he pitched well with 14 swinging strikes on 75 pitches and allowed just four baserunners. According to Jake Rill of MLB.com, manager Brandon Hyde said Suarez will get additional turns through the rotation, which isn't a major surprise given his performance and the numerous injuries Baltimore is managing to its rotation.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Verlander (shoulder) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to make his season debut Friday against the Nationals, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander got through a bullpen session Tuesday with no issues, clearing the way for his season debut after he completed his rehab program for right shoulder inflammation. The 41-year-old went four innings and threw 77 pitches in his last rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi over the weekend, allowing five earned runs on seven hits and one walk in the process. Verlander should be able to handle around 90 pitches Friday, although it's unclear whether the Astros have a specific pitch count in mind.

Bradish (elbow) yielded just one hit and struck out four over three scoreless innings in his first rehab start with Double-A Bowie on Tuesday.

Bradish needed just 44 pitches to cruise through his three frames and was hitting 95-to-96 mph on the radar gun, per Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com. It's a terrific first step for the right-hander as he works his way back from a partial UCL tear in his right elbow. Bradish will need a handful of rehab outings before rejoining the Orioles' rotation.

Bibee came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 10-7 extra-innings win over the Red Sox, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out three.

A solo shot by Enmanuel Valdez in the fourth inning accounted for the only damage off Bibee, who tossed 60 of 92 pitches before exiting with a 5-1 lead. Unfortunately for Bibee and fantasy managers, the Guardians' bullpen couldn't secure his second win of the year. Bibee will take a 4.82 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 18:10 K:BB through 18.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up for a rematch with the Red Sox early next week back in Cleveland.

Kikuchi (1-1) picked up the win Tuesday in a 5-4 victory over the Yankees, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out nine.

The left-hander struck out Anthony Volpe, Juan Soto and Aaron Judge in the top of the first inning, setting the tone for a dominant performance. Kikuchi fired 62 of 94 strikes as he recorded his second straight quality start, and he fanned nine in each of those outings. He'll take a 2.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 29:8 K:BB through 21.2 innings into his next start, which lines up to come early next week in Kansas City.

Rodon (1-1) took the loss Tuesday, giving up three runs on five hits and four walks over four innings as the Yankees fell 5-4 to Toronto. He struck out five.

The veteran southpaw kept the ball in the park, but he needed 101 pitches (62 strikes) to record 12 outs in an uneven performance. Rodon has failed to last five innings in two of his first four starts this season, posting a 3.66 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 18:11 K:BB through 19.2 innings, but he lines up for a plum assignment at home in his next trip to the mound, which should come early next week against the A's.

Civale came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 7-6 extra-innings win over the Angels, giving up three runs on five hits over six innings. He struck out eight without walking a batter.

The right-hander tossed 65 of 101 pitches for strikes and generated 31 called or swinging strikes, but homers by Mickey Moniak and Logan O'Hoppe in the fourth inning had Civale in line for his second loss of the year until the Rays rallied in the ninth inning, eventually winning in the 13th. Civale has delivered three quality starts in his first four trips to the mound this season, and he'll carry a 2.74 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 26:4 K:BB through 23 innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road this weekend against the Yankees.

Sears did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's loss to the Cardinals, allowing one run on two hits and three walks while striking out two in five innings.

Sears was effective for a second straight start, but his strikeout numbers remain unimpressive. The 28-year-old struck out 161 batters in 172.1 innings last year but currently sits at a 9:9 K:BB in 20.2 innings through four starts so far this season. He's now allowed just one run over his last 11.1 innings after giving up nine runs in 9.1 innings over his first two starts to open up the year. Sears owns a 4.35 ERA and 1.16 WHIP and lines up to face the Yankees on the road next week.