MLB Player News

Gonzalez has a 2.45 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in eight starts since being promoted to Double-A Portland, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Gonzalez dominated in his most recent outing, throwing six scoreless innings while not allowing a hit until his final frame. Opponents are batting just .147 against the right-hander, who is averaging 11.6 K/9. One warning flag that jumps out are Gonzalez's walks; he's allowed more walks (22) than hits (20) in 40.1 innings for the Sea Dogs. The organization will have him work on repeating his mechanics in between starts to correct that issue. The Red Sox are expected to add him to the 40-man roster during the offseason and have him pitch in big-league camp during 2024 spring training.

Kluber (shoulder) has been cleared to begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Portland on Friday, MLB.com reports.

Kluber threw two innings of live batting practice prior to Tuesday's game against the Rays at Tropicana Field. The veteran right-hander was placed on the injured list in June and had an earlier rehab assignment stopped when he experienced continued shoulder issues after two starts. Kluber will work out of the bullpen when he returns to the Red Sox.

Dunning allowed nine runs on 11 hits and two walks while striking out four over 5.1 relief innings in Tuesday's 14-1 loss to Houston.

Dunning, who had been a regular member of the rotation since May, entered after starter Nathan Eovaldi was chased with one out in the second inning. Dunning gave the Rangers bulk innings, but he continued a trend of worrisome performances. The right-hander has allowed 16 runs on 21 hits (five home runs) and 10 walks in 13.1 innings over his last three outings. His use out of the bullpen precludes Dunning from any potential start until the weekend, although the Rangers do have five healthy starters (including Eovaldi). That Dunning was used as a long reliever Tuesday may indicate he's going to pitch out of the bullpen going forward.

Bassitt (14-7) allowed a run on seven hits and struck out seven over eight innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Athletics.

Bassitt and Ken Waldichuk engaged in a pitchers' duel for six innings before Toronto's bats found success against Oakland's bullpen. This was Bassitt's second eight-inning start in a row after he blanked the Nationals his last time out. The right-hander is now at a 3.69 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 158:52 K:BB through 173.1 innings over 29 starts this year. He'll look to carry some momentum into a more challenging home start versus the Rangers next week.

Waldichuk allowed four hits and three walks while striking out three over six scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Blue Jays on Tuesday.

Waldichuk held his own, but the Athletics' bullpen couldn't do the same in a seventh-inning collapse. This was his first scoreless effort since June 29, and Waldichuk had allowed eight runs over 14.2 innings across his three previous outings. The southpaw is at a 5.63 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 117:67 K:BB through 120 innings across 31 appearances (20 starts) this season. He's projected for a difficult road start in Houston early next week.

Valdez (11-9) earned the win Tuesday, allowing one run on six hits and four walks over seven innings against the Rangers. He struck out four.

Valdez kept one of MLB's most explosive offenses in check Tuesday, allowing just one run to score across seven innings of work. However, he did endure some hiccups, most notably in the form of his four walks. Regardless, Tuesday's performance continued a strong stretch for Valdez, who owns a 1.35 ERA and a 15:9 K:BB across his last three appearances (20 innings). He's tentatively scheduled to take on the Athletics at MInute Maid Park for his next start.

Cole (13-4) earned the win Tuesday, allowing a run on eight hits over six innings in a 5-1 win over the Tigers. He struck out seven.

While the eight hits were the most Cole's allowed in a start since June 25, he managed to hold the Tigers to just one run, earning his third straight win and his 10th quality start in his last 12 outings. Cole's ERA is down to 2.90 with a 1.05 WHIP and 195:45 K:BB across 29 starts (180 innings) this season. He's currently lined up for a home matchup with the Brewers this weekend in his next outing.

Eovaldi (11-4) took the loss Tuesday, allowing four runs on five hits and one walk over 1.1 innings against the Astros. He struck out one.

After being sidelined since mid-July with a forearm strain, Eovaldi's long-awaited return was certainly lackluster. He was pulled at 35 pitches and only managed to retire four batters, with just one coming via strikeout. Eovaldi gave up a pair of solo home runs to Jose Altuve as part of a four-run start, raising his ERA from 2.69 to 2.95 on the year. While Tuesday's struggles were uncharacteristic, Eovaldi is in line for another tough matchup next time out against the Blue Jays on the road.

Eflin did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over five innings against Boston. He struck out seven.

Eflin only managed to make it through five innings Tuesday after logging quality starts in five of his previous six outings. He's worked to a 2.97 ERA in his last seven starts, issuing just four walks in that span (39.1 innings). Overall, Eflin's 13-8 with a 3.47 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 158:21 K:BB through 27 starts (155.2 innings) this season. He's currently lined up for a home matchup with the Mariners in his next outing.

Crawford did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing five runs on three hits and four walks over 3.2 innings against the Rays. He struck out five.

It was another tough outing for Crawford on Monday, who was tagged for five runs without making it through four innings. The 27-year-old right-hander's now allowed 11 runs in his last two outings (6.1 innings) after working to a 2.73 ERA in his previous six starts. Overall, Crawford's 6-7 on the season with a 4.36 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 107:30 K:BB through 107.1 innings this season. He'll look to get back on track in his next start, currently scheduled for next week against the Yankees.