MLB Player News

Kikuchi (5-0) earned the win Sunday, allowing no runs on four hits and two walks over 6.1 innings against the Pirates. He struck out three.

Kikuchi returned to form Sunday after allowing five runs in his last start in Boston. The 31-year-old left-hander has allowed one run or fewer in five of his seven starts this season. Kikuchi lowered his ERA to 3.35 with a 1.19 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB through 37.2 innings. Improved command has been vital to Kikuchi's early-season success. His walk rate is down to 4.7 percent from 12.8 percent last year

There's a "good chance" Glasnow (oblique) will make a third rehab start with Triple-A Durham following his second rehab start Wednesday, Rays manager Kevin Cash told Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times.

Glasnow struck out four and walked two over 2.1 scoreless frames in his first rehab outing Friday, throwing 46 pitches. "He's going to throw four innings, 60 to 65 pitches I think on Wednesday in Charlotte. Then we'll talk," Cash said. "I think in fairness and to get ahead of it, there's a good chance he's going to make another start after this upcoming one, just to kind of get him closer to normal build-up. Similar to a spring training (build-up)." Assuming Glasnow does indeed make a third rehab start, he would tentatively be lined up for his season debut with the Rays during their May 19-21 series at home versus the Brewers.

Cole did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits and two walks over five innings during an 8-7 defeat to the Rays in extras. He struck out six.

Cole had been a prototypical ace over his first seven starts, posting a 1.35 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 52:14 K:BB across 46.2 innings, but Sunday's performance was a step in the wrong direction. He was spotted a six-run lead and held Tampa Bay scoreless through four innings, but he couldn't maintain the advantage and surrendered six answered runs, including home runs by Jose Siri and Christian Bethancourt, before being pulled with no outs in the sixth. The homers were the first allowed by the right-hander this year, and his five innings were a season low. Cole's next start is projected for a rematch against the Rays, so it'll be a solid bounce-back opportunity after he submitted his worst outing of the campaign thus far.

Kopech (1-3) allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk over six innings Sunday, striking out two and earning a win over the Reds.

It wasn't the cleanest outing but Kopech cruised to victory with a whopping 17 runs of support from his offense. Unsurprisingly, he struggled with the long ball in Cincinnati, serving up four solo homers, including Jonathan India's leadoff shot in the first inning. Kopech had allowed just three home runs over his previous five starts after coughing up five in his season debut. The 27-year-old now owns a 5.97 ERA and a 36:22 K:BB across 37.2 innings. Kopech is projected for a tough home matchup against the Astros next week.

Perez did not factor in the decision in Sunday's win over the Angels. He allowed seven runs on eight hits and three walks with two strikeouts in 3.2 innings.

Both Perez and Jose Suarez struggled in a high-scoring contest that was at 11-7 through four innings. Perez had allowed a total of seven runs (six earned) over his previous four starts combined. The 32-year-old southpaw saw his ERA rise to 3.86 with a 1.55 WHIP and 28:12 K:BB across 37.1 innings through seven starts this season. Perez is tentatively scheduled for a favorable road start in Oakland during next weekend's four-game series.

Bielak (0-1) allowed three runs (two earned) on 10 hits and two walks over 4.2 innings Sunday against Seattle. He took the loss and failed to record a strikeout.

Bielak had traffic on the bases nearly the entire afternoon and never found much of a groove. He escaped danger in the first two frames before serving up a solo shot to Julio Rodriguez to lead off the third. Bielak is sporting a 4.15 ERA and a 6:5 K:BB through 8.2 innings. He's currently projected for a road matchup with the White Sox next week.

Suarez will undergo an MRI on Monday after exiting Sunday's start against the Rangers with left shoulder discomfort, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Suarez first felt soreness in the second inning before finally being removed in the third when it didn't dissipate. A stint on the injured list for Suarez seems likely even if he gets favorable news from the MRI, especially since his spot in the Angels' rotation was already on thin ice. Chase Silseth went 3.1 innings in relief of Suarez on Sunday and would be an obvious candidate to replace him in the rotation.

Wells did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing a run on three hits and a walk over five innings against Atlanta. He struck out four.

Wells pitched well against a powerful Atlanta lineup, allowing just a first-inning home run to Matt Olson in an eventual 3-2 extra-innings loss. It was an encouraging performance for Wells after he allowed four runs on three homers in his last outing against the Royals. The 28-year-old right-hander is 2-1 with a 3.15 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 31:7 K:BB through his first 40 innings this season.

Miller (1-0) allowed two hits and a walk over six shutout frames Sunday, striking out five and earning a win over Houston.

Miller was dominant Sunday, giving up just a pair of singles and not letting any Astro reach scoring position. He retired the last 11 batters he faced while securing his first MLB win. Miller has looked right at home with the Mariners since making the jump from Dobule-A Arkansas, posting a 15:1 K:BB while allowing just one run through 12 innings. Assuming he sticks around, he's lined up for a start in Detroit next week.

Houck will make his next scheduled start, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

When exactly that start will come isn't clear, but it will either be next weekend against the Cardinals or early next week versus the Mariners. James Paxton (hamstring) is also set to join the rotation next weekend, so the Red Sox appear poised to use a six-man rotation for at least one turn. Houck was charged with three runs on five hits and a walk over 5.2 innings against the Phillies on Sunday, notching four strikeouts along the way.