MLB Player News

Giolito did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing one run on two hits and three walks over seven innings against Minnesota. He struck out seven.

Giolito tossed a gem Thursday, allowing just two hits over seven frames. His only blemish came from a Carlos Correa solo home run in the sixth inning, which broke a streak of 13 consecutive batters retired for Giolito. Thought he handed the ball off to Reynaldo Lopez with a 2-1 lead in the eighth, Byron Buxton evened up the score with a solo homer of his own, which ultimately led to Giolito's no-decision and a White Sox defeat in extra innings. Through seven starts Giolito holds a measly 1-2 record, however, he has put up solid numbers with a 3.67 ERA and a 41:9 K/BB in 41.2 innings. Giolito has only one win on the season, but he has struck out at least five hitters in six of his seven starts.

Eflin (4-0) earned the win Thursday, allowing three hits over seven scoreless innings against the Pirates. He struck out 10.

Eflin improved on his impressive start to 2023, picking up his fourth win in five starts and blanking the Pirates. The 29-year-old went over six innings for the first time in this year and set a season high with 10 punchouts. Through 28.0 innings, Eflin holds a 2.25 ERA with a 31:3 K/BB. Though his strong start to 2023 has been unexpected given his 4.40 career ERA, it wouldn't be surprising for Eflin's success to continue considering the Rays' knack for getting the best out of pitchers.

Rucinski (0-2) allowed five runs on four hits and five walks while striking out three over 3.2 innings, taking the loss Thursday versus the Mariners.

Rucinski opened with a pair of scoreless innings, but Taylor Trammell hit a two-run home run off the right-hander in the third. Rucinski then created a mess and allowed three runs in the fourth. The 34-year-old had a hamstring injury to start the season, and he hasn't shown much in his first two starts with a 7.71 ERA, 2.25 WHIP and 4:6 K:BB through 9.1 innings. If he gets another turn in the rotation, he's tentatively projected for a road start versus the Yankees next week.

Rodriguez (3-2) earned the win Thursday, allowing two hits and one walk over eight scoreless innings against the Mets. He struck out nine.

Rodriguez picked up his third win in his last four starts, fanning nine over eight scoreless innings. The 30-year-old has been off to a blazing start to 2023, holding a 1.81 ERA through six outings after finishing the last two seasons with a 4.05 and 4.74 ERA, respectively. Rodriguez has filled the role of Detroit's top arm thus far and has allowed just two runs over his last five starts (34.2 innings) while striking out 33 batters. The southpaw has also logged quality starts in four of his last five appearances and should remain a strong fantasy option until he shows otherwise.

Kirby (3-2) allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out two over seven innings to earn the win Thursday over the Athletics.

It was a fifth straight quality start for Kirby, who bounced back from a tough-luck loss in his last outing versus the Phillies. While it was a solid performance, the two strikeouts were a season low for the right-hander. He's at a solid 3.11 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 26:3 K:BB across 37.2 innings over six starts, again displaying excellent control. Kirby's next start is projected to be at home versus the Rangers next week.

Blackburn (finger) threw all his pitches during a bullpen session Wednesday morning, the Associated Press reports.

The development is naturally an encouraging one for Blackburn after a scheduled rehab start for Triple-A Las Vegas was postponed twice over a three-day period in late April due to a blister. Blackburn is expected to either throw another bullpen or finally restart his rehab assignment with another start for the Aviators in the coming days.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Crawford (hamstring) should be able to avoid the injured list, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Crawford left a relief appearance Wednesday against the Blue Jays after experiencing tightness in his left hamstring, but it's not a serious issue and he is considered day-to-day. The 27-year-old has registered a solid 3.51 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 24:3 K:BB through 25.2 innings this season with Boston.

McDougal has made two starts for Single-A Kannapolis since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list April 21, covering six scoreless innings between those outings while striking out nine and allowing five hits and one walk.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery in October 2021, McDougal missed the entire 2022 campaign, and the White Sox opted to have him open the 2023 season on Kannapolis' 7-day IL. The 20-year-old right-hander missed only about a week of action before making his debut April 13, but he then went back on the IL immediately following that outing. Given that McDougal was activated nearly a week later, his return to the IL looks to have been precautionary. Given how well he's pitched for Kannapolis in his first two stats back in action, McDougal could soon be in store for a promotion to High-A Winston-Salem.

McKenzie (shoulder) threw another bullpen session Tuesday in New York, MLB.com reports.

The side session was McKenzie's second since he exited his final Cactus League start in late March with a right teres major muscle strain. After throwing a 20-pitch session last weekend consisting entirely of fastballs, it's unclear whether McKenzie was able to incorporate any breaking pitches Tuesday. The Guardians haven't formally outlined McKenzie's next steps, but he's expected to report to the organization's spring training facility in Arizona to continue his throwing progression before eventually heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment. McKenzie is first eligible to come off the 60-day IL on May 29, and that date still appears to be a realistic target for his return.

Civale (oblique) completed a bullpen session Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

The side session marked the first time that Civale has taken part in mound work since he suffered a left oblique strain in his April 7 start against the Mariners. The Guardians noted that Civale felt well physically coming out of the session, and he'll be re-evaluated Friday before the team determines his next steps. Though he's now nearly a month removed from suffering the injury, Civale is without a clear timeline for a return, though Mandy Bell of MLB.com notes that Civale is behind fellow starting pitcher Triston McKenzie (shoulder) in their respective rehab programs. McKenzie isn't eligible to come off the IL until May 29, so Civale likely isn't likely to return until at least early June.