MLB Player News

Paxton (hamstring) will be activated from the 15-day injured list and is expected to be reinserted into Boston's rotation sometime during next weekend's series with the Cardinals at Fenway Park, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

He won't be used in the two-game series in Atlanta, but will start one of the following games. Manager Alex Cora didn't rule out the possibility of the Red Sox utilizing a six-man rotation, but Boston has off days Monday and Thursday, so a six-man unit would stretch the length between outings for their starters in the short term. Paxton has a 3.68 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 17:10 K:BB in 14.2 innings over his last three rehab starts, his most recent of which came Friday with Triple-A Worcester.

Blackburn's (finger) scheduled rehab start with Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday has been pushed back due to the impending birth of his child, the team's official site reports.

Blackburn had thrown all his pitches during a bullpen session Wednesday that apparently went well enough to garner him clearance to restart his rehab assignment, but his paternity leave will delay matters by a few more days. Manager Mark Kotsay noted the club will have a better feel for Blackburn's return timeline after his child's birth, and it's possible he makes two or more additional starts with the Aviators before being deemed ready for activation.

Sale (3-2) earned the win Friday, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk over six innings during a 5-3 victory over the Phillies. He struck out 10.

Sale has allowed five or more runs in three of his seven outings this season, but he also has three quality starts and two games with double-digit strikeouts. The left-hander's 6.37 ERA remains inflated due to the seven runs he allowed in his first appearance of the year, but he's surrendered just four runs over his past 12.1 innings and earned the win in back-to-back starts. Sale will look to stay sharp next time out, which is tentatively scheduled for a three-game weekend set versus the Cardinals.

Ober (2-0) earned the win Friday, allowing three hits and one walk over seven scoreless innings during a 2-0 victory over the Guardians. He struck out six.

Ober drew a second straight start with Kenta Maeda (triceps) and Tyler Mahle (elbow) on the injured list, and he continues to make the most of his limited opportunities. Friday's outing marked Ober's first quality start of the season, and he's allowed just two runs over three appearances (18.1 innings). Ober's 0.98 ERA and 0.87 WHIP are likely unsustainable, and his 16:6 K:BB isn't eye-popping, but he continues to get results and should remain in the rotation as long as Maeda and Mahle are unavailable.

Battenfield (0-3) took the loss Friday, allowing two runs on two hits and zero walks over seven innings during a 2-0 loss to Minnesota. He struck out seven.

Battenfield moved back into the rotation Friday as Cleveland opted for him over Zach Plesac, who's posted a 7.59 ERA and 1.97 WHIP over his first 21.1 innings. Battenfield made the most of his opportunity and was perfect through 5.2 innings before surrendering a single to Christian Vazquez and a two-run home run to Max Kepler in the sixth. Those were the only baserunners and runs allowed by the right-hander, but that was enough to take the loss as Bailey Ober and the Twins' bullpen shut out the Guardians. Despite the loss, Battenfield may have done enough to earn another turn through the rotation.

Brito did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk over four innings in a 5-4 loss against the Rays. He struck out two.

Brito allowed at least one run in each of the first three innings, including solo home runs to Randy Arozarena in the first and Yandy Diaz in the third. The right-hander has surrendered multiple runs in four of his past five outings and hasn't completed more than five innings yet. Despite the struggles, Brito figures to remain in the starting rotation as long as Carlos Rodon (back) and Luis Severino (lat) remain on the 15-day injured list.

Chirinos did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks over 5.1 innings during a 5-4 win over the Yankees. He struck out zero.

Chirinos made his first start of the season Friday after posting a 0.64 ERA over 14 frames as a multi-inning reliever. He got early run support and blanked the Yankees' offense for five innings before getting into trouble in the sixth. He allowed one run to come in before he was pulled with two on and one out, but both those baserunners came around to score on a Harrison Bader home run. It wasn't the best performance for the 29-year-old, who walked four and didn't record a strikeout, but he was able to mitigate the damage and may have done enough to draw another start next week.

Paxton (hamstring) allowed two runs on two hits and five walks while striking out four for Triple-A Worcester on Friday.

Paxton made what could be his final rehab start before joining the parent club. The left-hander threw 96 pitches, which suggests he's ready for Boston, but his role is unclear. Paxton has been a starter his entire career, but the Red Sox currently have five starters with a sixth one, Garrett Whitlock (elbow), soon to return from injury.

Lynn (1-4) picked up the win in Friday's 5-4 victory over the Reds, giving up four runs on eight hits over 6.2 innings. He struck out eight without walking a batter.

The veteran right-hander pounded the strike zone, firing 74 of 103 pitches for strikes while generated 19 swinging strikes, and he got just enough run support to get into the win column for the first time this year. Lynn also served up another homer, his ninth in 39.1 innings, and that remains the biggest obstacle between him and turning his season around. He'll take a 6.86 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 50:15 K:BB into his next start, likely to come next week in Kansas City.

Castillo did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing four runs on five hits and one walk over seven innings against the Astros. He struck out five.

Castillo turned in another solid outing, pitching seven innings for the second time this year. The right-hander now sports a 0.91 WHIP, tied for ninth in the league. The former Red is firmly established as an elite option ahead of his next tentative start against Texas.