MLB Player News

Clevinger (wrist) is expected to return from the 15-day injured list to start Friday's series opener versus the Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Jesse Scholtens had been serving as the White Sox's No. 5 starter since Clevinger landed on the IL on May 21, but manager Pedro Grifol's decision to use Scholtens in long relief behind Lance Lynn in Wednesday's loss to the Angels signals that Clevinger is on track to be activated this weekend. Since Clevinger tossed a simulated game Monday, Grifol acknowledged that he may look to shave about 10 pitches off the right-hander's normal workload if he does in fact get the green light to start Friday on three days' rest.

Rodon (back/forearm) was transferred Thursday from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.

This is mostly just a procedural move to clear out a 40-man roster spot for Tommy Kahnle, who is recovered from a bout of biceps tendinitis and has been activated off the 60-day IL in a corresponding move. Rodon remains without a timetable to return from his lingering back and forearm injuries, though he did recently resume throwing off a mound and has another bullpen session scheduled for Friday.

Montas (shoulder) began a throwing program Tuesday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Montas had been shut down for 14 weeks following arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder back in late February. The right-hander has professed a desire to return this season and has a shot to do so, although it likely wouldn't be before September and it's not clear what kind of role he might be able to fill. Montas is slated to hit free agency after the season.

Waldichuk pitched the seventh inning of Wednesday's 4-2 loss to Atlanta, giving up one earned run on two hits and one walk while striking out one.

After pitching an inning as an opener in front of Luis Medina in his last appearance Sunday against the Astros, Waldichuk filled a more traditional relief role Wednesday for the first time all season. Though Oakland likely still views Waldichuk as a starter over the long haul, he looks as though he'll be relegated to the bullpen after logging a 7.40 ERA and 1.97 WHIP in 48.2 innings over his first 10 outings of the season.

Schmidt allowed three hits and a walk while striking out seven over 5.2 scoreless innings during Wednesday's 1-0 loss to Seattle in 10 innings. He didn't factor into the decision.

Schmidt put together his best outing of the season but could not come out with a win, as George Kirby shut out the Yankees through eight innings of work. Schmidt has now gone at least five innings in three straight starts, allowing a total of three runs over his last 15.2 innings. He was effective against the Mariners' lefties -- they went just 1-for-10 against him. For the year, left-handed hitters have a .330 batting average against the 27-year-old, so Wednesday's accomplishment was particularly impressive. Schmidt has dropped his ERA to 5.01 to go along with a 1.51 WHIP and 65:19 K:BB over 55.2 innings. He'll look to continue his successful stretch next week in a home start against the White Sox.

Kirby took a no-decision while tossing eight scoreless innings Wednesday in a 1-0 win over the Yankees in 10 innings. He allowed just three hits and no walks and struck out seven.

Kirby put together a spectacular performance after he was roughed up by the Pirates the last time he took the mound. The 25-year-old was touching 99 miles per hour with his fastball and showed off his impeccable command of his entire arsenal of pitches. Wednesday marked the third time this season he's reached seven strikeouts in an outing and the fifth time he's gone without walking a batter. He has just six walks through 71 innings and leads all of baseball with a 9.67 K/BB to go with a 3.04 ERA and 1.01 WHIP. Kirby lines up to go toe-to-toe with the Padres on the road next week.

Bieber did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing seven runs on eight hits and two walks over four innings during a 12-8 win over the Orioles. He struck out four.

Bieber finished with season-worst marks in innings pitched, hits allowed and runs allowed, but he was let off the hook thanks to a five-run fifth by the Guardians' offense. It was by far the worst outing of the campaign for the right-hander, who entered the contest with a 3.04 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across his first 11 starts (71 innings). His decline in strikeouts this season -- he currently has just 53 strikeouts across 75 frames -- portends more regression to come with the ratios.

Brown (5-2) took the loss against Minnesota on Wednesday, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out eight batters over 4.2 innings.

The strikeout stuff continues to be there for Brown -- he has now fanned eight or more batters in four straight contests -- but he gave up a season-high five runs and was unable to complete five innings. All of Minnesota's hits against him were singles, though four of them came in the third frame and led to three runs. Brown has had a few mediocre outings this season, but he's been solid overall, posting a 3.61 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 74:20 K:BB across 62.1 frames.

Varland moved to 3-1 on the season Wednesday after tossing seven scoreless innings and allowing four hits and one walk while striking out five batters in an 8-2 win over Houston.

Varland suffered his first loss of the campaign against Toronto in his previous start, but he got back in the win column with a sterling effort Wednesday. The right-hander tossed a season-high seven innings and held the Astros scoreless, notching his fifth quality start through seven appearances. None of the four hits Varland allowed went for extra bases, and he continued to demonstrate good control -- he's surrendered one or fewer free passes in each of his past four starts. Varland originally slid into the rotation as a result of an injury to Tyler Mahle (elbow). Mahle won't return to action this season, but it's unclear if Varland will keep his spot in the rotation when Kenta Maeda (triceps) makes it back to the majors, potentially within the next two weeks.

Paxton took a no-decision in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to Cincinnati after allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out eight batters over five innings.

Paxton looked very good in the outing, notching twice as many punchouts (eight) as hits allowed (four). He racked up an impressive 22 swinging strikes but couldn't go deeper into the contest since he needed 100 pitches to get through five frames. Paxton was knocked around to the tune of five runs over three frames against the Angels his last time out but has otherwise been a nice addition for Boston since coming off the IL on May 10, yielding two or fewer earned runs in his other three starts. Paxton also appears to still have above-average swing-and-miss stuff, as he's tallied 27 strikeouts across 19 innings overall.