MLB Player News

Waldichuk (elbow) threw between 20 and 25 pitches in a bullpen session Friday, the Associated Press reports.

It's the second bullpen session for Waldichuk this week, as the left-hander continues a deliberate throwing program. Waldichuk could be deemed ready to face live hitters after Friday's session, although how he recovers over the weekend from the activity will likely be the determining factor in whether he progresses to the next step.

Williams (elbow) is scheduled to throw a simulated game Monday, MLB.com reports.

Williams is in line to face live hitters for the first time since he felt discomfort in his right elbow after making an awkward throw during a weighted-ball workout in the first or second week of March. Though he wasn't shut down from throwing for long, the elbow issue slowed him down enough to force him to the 15-day injured list to begin the season. Assuming his upcoming sim game goes well, Williams could be cleared to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment late next week or early during the following week. He could require two rehab starts before being activated and seems to be trending toward a late-April or early May season debut with Cleveland.

Lively (illness) struck out one while allowing three earned runs on four hits and no walks over 5.1 innings in his second rehab start with Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday.

After battling a viral illness in spring training that cost him about two weeks of action, Lively opened the season on the 15-day injured list. He might be fully built up by this point, however, as he reached the sixth inning of Tuesday's rehab outing and tossed 55 pitches in the start. Though Lively appeared likely to serve as organizational starting depth in 2024, he could have a clear path to a rotation spot in the short term while Shane Bieber (elbow) and Gavin Williams (elbow) are on the shelf. Bieber is lost for the season, but Williams is expected back in late April or early May.

The Rays reinstated Alexander from the bereavement list Saturday.

Alexander has gotten off to a rough start this year, surrendering nine earned runs on 14 hits through 9.1 frames, and he is expected to make his next start Sunday against San Francisco. Jacob Waguespack was optioned to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move.

Bradish (elbow) is throwing a bullpen session Saturday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

He threw a live batting practice session Thursday, so the fact he's throwing again suggests all went well and he is continuing his slow ramp up. Manager Brandon Hyde said after Bradish's bullpen session that the right-hander will embark on a rehab assignment in "the middle of next week," likely with Double-A Bowie.

Criswell was called up from Triple-A Worcester to start Saturday's game against the Angels, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The 27-year-old righty came into the year with little fanfare after working as a multi-inning reliever in the majors last year for Tampa Bay. However, he has a 0.87 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 60 percent groundball rate through 10.1 innings (two starts) at Triple-A. The new Red Sox regime has gotten the best out of its starting pitchers in the early going, so perhaps Criswell can keep that trend going. Nick Pivetta (elbow) was expected to play catch Saturday and there's a chance he could return shortly after the 15-day minimum.

Gil will be available out of the bullpen for Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Per manager Aaron Boone, Gil would likely start Monday's game in Toronto if he doesn't pitch Saturday, but if he is used, he would slot back into the rotation Wednesday against the Blue Jays. Gil is available either for length or a big spot, so he could pick up a win or even a save during the twin bill. Nestor Cortes will start Sunday against Cleveland.

Wacha (1-1) took the loss Friday, coughing up five runs on 10 hits and two walks over six innings as the Royals were downed 6-1 by the Mets. He struck out four.

The veteran right-hander managed to keep the ball in the park, but that might have been the only silver lining to his performance as Wacha tossed 56 of 84 pitches for strikes before getting the hook and managed only seven swinging strikes. Despite the stumble, he'll take a 4.00 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 17:4 K:BB through 18 innings into his next start, which is scheduled for next week on the road against the White Sox.

Lopez (1-2) was hit with the loss in Friday's game versus the Tigers after giving up five earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out seven batters across four innings.

Lopez got behind early after giving up a solo shot to Mark Canha in the first inning, but most of the damage done against the right-hander came in the fifth when he allowed four consecutive hitters to reach base to begin the inning. He left with the Twins down 4-0 and two runners on base before recording an out in the frame, and reliever Kody Funderburk allowed an additional run to score before closing out the inning. Lopez now holds a 4.86 ERA and 1.20 WHIP through his first three starts and will look to improve upon those numbers his next time out, which projects to come in Baltimore on Wednesday.

Skubal (2-0) earned the win Friday against Minnesota, striking out five batters over five scoreless frames while giving up two hits and two walks.

After throwing two perfect innings to begin the game, Skubal ran into a bit of trouble by allowing two runners to reach base during the third and fourth innings, but both times the left-hander was able to secure the final out and prevent any runs from coming across the plate. He now owns an impressive 2.08 ERA and 0.75 WHIP through 17.1 frames across his first three outings with a 20:4 K:BB. Skubal is tentatively scheduled to make his next start Wednesday against the Rangers, who currently own an AL-best .769 team OPS.