MLB Player News

Perez (6-1) earned the win Wednesday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over seven innings against the Pirates. He struck out three.

Perez has now logged seven innings in consecutive starts, allowing two runs in each outing. The veteran left-hander lowered his ERA to 3.83 with a 1.47 WHIP and 41:16. While Perez isn't expected to post large strikeout totals, it's somewhat concerning that his ground-ball rate is down to 37.4 percent after he posted a 51.4 percent mark last season. He took a step in the right direction Wednesday, coaxing 12 groundouts and just one flyout.

Manager Alex Cora confirmed Wednesday in a radio interview with "Gresh and Fauria" on WEEI 93.7 that Houck will remain in the starting rotation, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Houck pitched well in his start against the Angels on Monday with six innings of one-run baseball and eight strikeouts in a no-decision. The right-hander will remain a starting option for Boston in the place of Corey Kluber, with Kluber being moved to the bullpen for the foreseeable future. Houck has had his own struggles in 2023 -- the strong outing against Los Angeles lowered his ERA to 4.99 over 48.2 innings -- and while he has shown the ability to miss bats, his struggles against lineups the second and third time through an order make him a risky fantasy option when he's on the mound.

Kluber has been moved to the bullpen, Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed Wednesday in a radio interview with "Gresh and Fauria" on WEEI 93.7, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Cora had said earlier this week that Kluber would make his next start, but the skipper has apparently changed his mind. Kluber has been dreadful after inking a one-year, $10 million contract over the offseason, putting up a 6.26 ERA and 34:18 K:BB across 41.2 innings covering nine starts. That, combined with Tanner Houck's strong showing his last time out, is the impetus behind Kluber's demotion. The 37-year-old wouldn't seem to be a great fit for relief and figures to be relegated to a mop-up role.

McKenzie (shoulder) is scheduled to make the second start of his rehab assignment Thursday with Triple-A Columbus, Joe Noga of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Thursday's outing could be the last of McKenzie's rehab assignment after he looked sharp in his 2023 debut with Columbus this past Saturday, when he covered three scoreless innings (52 pitches) and struck out four while allowing only three baserunners. If McKenzie can push his workload up to the 70-to-80 range Thursday, the Guardians would likely be comfortable with bringing him back from the 60-day injured list as soon next Tuesday. Aaron Civale (oblique) also looks like he'll be ready to return from the 15-day IL within the next week, so unless Cleveland expands the rotation to six men, two of Hunter Gaddis, Logan Allen and Tanner Bibee could end up losing out on starting roles.

Civale (oblique) made his second rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Columbus, covering 3.1 innings and striking out five while allowing two runs on five hits and one walk.

While Civale recorded only one more out than he did in his first rehab start last Thursday, the right-hander pushed his pitch count up from 34 to 69. Though Civale likely needs one more outing before he'll be ready to handle a normal starter's workload, the Guardians could still bring him back from the 15-day injured list for his next start, even if he's on somewhat of a limited pitch count. Civale could be activated as soon as Sunday, when he would step into the rotation spot occupied by Hunter Gaddis for the series finale with St. Louis.

Watkins (finger) was reinstated from Triple-A Norfolk's 7-day injured list last Thursday and worked two innings in his return, giving up one run on three hits and two walks while striking out a batter.

Watkins was sidelined for approximately one month with a right fourth finger laceration. Though he was capped at 35 pitches in his return last Thursday, Watkins should gradually increase his workload in his subsequent turns through Norfolk's rotation.

Gray allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out six over five innings during Tuesday's loss to the Giants. He did not factor into the decision.

Gray blanked the Giants through the first five innings before running into trouble in the sixth. He opened up the frame by giving up a double and walking two batters to load the bases before handing the ball over to Jovani Moran. Moran would allow two of the inherited runners to score, both on walks. Gray was still in line for the win until the bullpen gave away the lead for good in the seventh. The 33-year-old still has yet to allow more than three runs in a start so far this season but remains winless in May after going 4-0 last month. He's at a 1.82 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 66:21 K:BB over 54.1 innings and tentatively lines up for a start to begin next week in Houston.

France (1-1) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out eight over 5.2 innings in a loss to the Brewers on Tuesday.

France delivered a nice performance while racking up a season-high eight strikeouts, but he had no margin for error since the Astros were shut out. It was the third consecutive outing in which he's allowed a home run as Owen Miller took him deep to center to kick off the scoring in the third. France owns a 3.43 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB over 21 innings thus far.

Medina (0-3) allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over 5.1 innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Mariners.

Medina was cruising until J.P. Crawford and Ty France (wrist) hit back-to-back home runs. The Athletics' offense couldn't respond, sending Medina to his third loss in four starts this season. The right-hander has pitched to a 6.45 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 19:7 K:BB over 22.1 innings. Aside from one bad frame Tuesday, this was an encouraging effort. With Kyle Muller optioned out earlier in the day, Medina's spot in the rotation should be safe. He lines up for a difficult home start versus the Astros this weekend.

Gonzales (4-1) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out four over six innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Athletics.

Gonzales was coming off an ugly start last Wednesday versus Boston in which he allowed eight runs in just 1.2 innings. He had trouble in the opening frame Tuesday as well, but he then settled in and got some run support to get back in the win column. Gonzales now has a 5.68 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 30:15 K:BB through 44.1 innings across nine starts this season. He's still tough to trust in fantasy as a low-strikeout starter, especially since his walk rate of 3.0 BB/9 is his highest since he became a major-league regular in 2018. The southpaw is lined up for a home start versus the Pirates this weekend.