MLB Player News

Paxton (7-3) earned the win over Kansas City on Thursday, allowing six hits and no walks while striking out six batters over 5.1 scoreless innings.

Paxton gave up three homers and four runs over five innings against Toronto in his previous start, but he rebounded with a strong effort Thursday. Though he needed 98 pitches to get through 5.1 frames, the left-hander kept the Royals off the scoreboard and didn't issue a walk for just the second time in 15 starts this season. Paxton continues to enjoy a career resurgence at age 34 -- through 80.1 innings, he's posted a 3.36 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 90:22 K:BB.

Maeda (3-7) took the loss Thursday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over six innings in a 3-0 loss to the Tigers. He struck out four.

The veteran righty induced just eight swinging strikes on 89 pitches, but he was able to keep Detroit off the board until Riley Greene obliterated a hanging slider in the sixth inning, sending it 453 feet to right field for a solo home run. That bomb proved to be the difference, as Minnesota's offense was shut out for the second time in three days. After a brutal start to the season, Maeda has been steady in his nine outings since returning from injury June 23, posting a 2.38 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 11.23 K/9 across 49.2 innings during that stretch. He is projected to face the Tigers again next week.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Whitlock (elbow) is on track to return from the injured list Sunday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Whitlock pitched well in his rehab debut Wednesday with Triple-A Worcester, striking out three of the nine batters he faced over 2.1 scoreless frames. Out since early July due to a bone bruise in his right elbow, the 27-year-old is expected to operate as a multi-inning reliever down the stretch. He could happen into some wins and a save or two in that role.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sale (shoulder) will be limited to around four innings in his return to the rotation Friday versus the Tigers, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Sale has been out since early June due to a stress reaction in his left scapula and threw only 35 and 54 pitches, respectively, in his two rehab starts with Triple-A Worcester. He looked sharp during that stint on the farm, though, tallying 10 strikeouts across 6.1 scoreless frames. The 34-year-old southpaw will have to continue building up on the fly, but he can maybe help Boston attempt to stage a late charge in the AL Wild Card standings.

Olson (2-5) earned the win Thursday, allowing two hits and three walks over six scoreless innings against Minnesota. He struck out eight.

The rookie right-hander turned in the best start of his young career, outdueling opposing starter Kenta Maeda to earn the victory. Olson had been mired in mediocrity in his previous four starts since rejoining Detroit's rotation July 16, going 0-3 with a 6.33 ERA and 1.45 WHIP across 21.1 innings during that stretch. The 24-year-old currently lines up for a rematch versus Minnesota next week.

GM Justin Hollander said Tuesday that Gonzales (forearm), who was recently transferred to the 60-day injured list, is running out of time to pitch again in 2023, the team's official site reports.

Per Hollander, the nerve issue that led to Gonzales' initial placement on the IL back on June 3 persists, and that's preventing the left-hander from beginning any type of ramp-up activity. Hollander remarked "the clock is ticking on that" when asked about Gonzales' chances of returning this season, noting the veteran would need an extensive amount of time to build his arm strength back up once he's finally cleared to begin a throwing program.

Rodon (hamstring) threw from flat ground Wednesday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Rodon was placed on the IL on Monday due to a low-grade left hamstring strain, but the Yankees indicated at the time that he would continue throwing. That plan has come to fruition, as the left-hander played catch Wednesday in Chicago. The initial indication is that Rodon could need just a minimum stay on the injured list, which would put hit in line to return for a home series against Washington that begins Aug. 22.

The Yankees are expected to recall Vasquez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start Friday in Miami, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The team hasn't announced anything yet, but it has an opening in the rotation Friday and Vasquez is on turn. Vasquez holds a 1.17 ERA in three starts with the Yanks this season, although that's come with a 10:7 K:BB over 15.1 innings. If the 24-year-old pitches well Friday, he would seem to have a good shot to remain in the rotation at the expense of the struggling Luis Severino.

Keuchel is scheduled to start Friday's game in Philadelphia.

The veteran southpaw will get at least one more turn through the Twins rotation while Joe Ryan (groin) remains on the 15-day injured list. In his Twins debut last Sunday versus the Diamondbacks, Keuchel failed to strike out a batter over five innings, but he allowed just one run on eight hits and two walks.

Wells will start for Double-A Bowie on Saturday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Wells was optioned to Bowie in late July as a bit of a reset after getting roughed up in his first three second-half outings. He allowed one run over 3.1 innings in his first start for Bowie this past Saturday and will take the ball for that team again on six days' rest. Cole Irvin is likely starting for the Orioles on Saturday as part of a six-man rotation and it's not a coincidence that he's on the same schedule as Wells, as the hope is the righty will eventually slide back into the big-league rotation. When that could happen, however, remains up in the air.