MLB Player News

Boston manager Alex Cora said Kluber will make his next start Sunday in Arizona, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Kluber lasted just 2.1 innings in a loss to the Padres on Sunday and walked three batters during a four-run first inning. With Garrett Whitlock (elbow) expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list to start this coming Saturday, Boston's rotation will increase to six men. Kluber had been off the radar when it came to potential rotation removals the last few weeks, but it's becoming hard for the Red Sox to continue to hand him starts while he's sporting a 6.26 ERA and 18 walks over 41.2 innings this season.

Bieber (3-3) allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks over eight innings during the second game of Sunday's doubleheader against the Mets. He struck out four and took the loss.

Coming off his worst start of the year, Bieber turned in a strong outing but was still handed a loss. He cruised through five shutout frames before Francisco Lindor broke the shutout with a sixth-inning homer. Bieber has allowed three or fewer runs in nine of his 10 starts this season, resulting in a 3.08 ERA with a 47:15 K:BB. Since the start of May, he's posted a 3.04 ERA across 26.2 frames. Bieber's next outing is projected to be at home against the Cardinals.

Kaprielian (0-4) took the loss Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and four walks over five innings against the Astros. He struck out five.

Though Kaprielian has bounced back and forth between the MLB and Triple-A recently, he has made a strong case to stay with the big-league club over his last two starts, having allowed just four runs with 12 strikeouts in 12.0 innings. Considering his call-up coincided with Drew Rucinski's (illness) placement on the 15-day injured list, Kaprielian looks to be sticking around for at least another start. However, fantasy managers looking for a short-term streaming option may need to seek out alternatives considering Kaprielian is tentatively scheduled to make his next pair of starts against Houston and Atlanta.

Lopez (2-3) allowed two runs on five hits and three walks over six-plus innings Sunday, striking out nine and taking a loss against the Angels.

Lopez got through three scoreless innings before the Angels finally broke through for a run in the fourth. He later walked the leadoff batter in the seventh and was charged with that run after he left the game. Lopez forced a season-high 19 swinging strikes on 101 pitches while improving his season K:BB to 75:17. He's allowed two or fewer earned runs in three or his last four starts and now owns a 3.90 ERA. Lopez's next start is lined up to be at home against the Blue Jays.

Valdez (4-4) earned the win Sunday, allowing four hits over nine scoreless innings against Oakland. He struck out seven.

Valdez made quick work of the Athletics on Sunday, holding them scoreless through nine innings on 104 pitches. The 29-year-old has been having a career year so far, with a 2.45 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 9.82 K/9 through 10 starts (66.0 innings). Though Valdez hasn't been a strong contributor in the win column, fantasy managers should treat him as an elite fantasy option considering he ranks top 10 in ERA and strikeouts while leading MLB in innings pitched.

Heaney (3-3) allowed an unearned run on six hits and two walks while striking out five over six innings to earn the win Sunday over the Rockies.

Heaney limited an opponent to one run or less for the fourth time in nine outings this season. He allowed the Rockies to get on the board with a fielder's choice in the sixth inning. Heaney had a 5.52 ERA through his first six starts, but it's down to 4.13 with a 1.21 WHIP and 52:20 K:BB across 48 innings over nine starts this season. He's lined up for a tough road matchup in Baltimore for his next outing.

Lynn (3-5) earned the win Sunday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over six innings against the Royals. He struck out six.

Lynn picked up his third win in his last four appearances Sunday and appears to be turning the corner after starting the campaign 0-4 with a 7.16 ERA in his first six starts (32.2 innings). His lone blemish Sunday came on a two-run homer from Michael Massey in the second inning. Though Lynn's run prevention has been up and down throughout 2023, he has been one of the best strikeout producers in MLB with a 10.5 K/9 that ranks 16th among starters.

Kluber (2-6) yielded five runs (one earned) over 2.1 innings and took the loss against the Padres on Sunday. He allowed three hits and three walks while striking out one batter.

The Padres jumped all over Kluber in the first inning, plating four runs. He was later charged with one more run in the third after he was removed from the game. Just one of the runs allowed was earned, meaning Kluber dropped his ERA from 6.41 to 6.26. On the bright side, this was his first start all year without giving up a home run. Kluber's next start is currently lined up to be in Arizona.

Kremer did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on nine hits and two walks over 5.1 innings during an 8-3 win over the Blue Jays in extras. He struck out seven.

Kremer allowed one or fewer runs for the fourth time this year and struck out a season-high seven batters Sunday. Across 10 starts (52.2 innings), the 27-year-old holds a solid 43:15 K:BB but has a 4.61 ERA. Last year, Kremer posted a 3.23 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 87:34 K:BB across 22 appearances (21 starts). He'll look to lower his ERA for a third straight game during his next start, which is tentatively scheduled during a three-game weekend set versus Texas.

Gausman did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over eight innings during an 8-3 loss to the Orioles in extras. He struck out four.

Gausman surrendered two runs in the third but was otherwise sharp while tying his season high with eight completed frames. The strong outing lowered his ERA from 3.27 to 3.14, and he sports an outstanding 81:11 K:BB through 63 innings despite tying his season low with four strikeouts Sunday. Aside from two terrible outings, Gausman has been extremely sharp this year and will look to keep up his strong play next time out, which is tentatively scheduled for the opener of a three-game set in Minnesota.