MLB Player News

Cease (2-2) took the loss against Kansas City on Monday, allowing seven runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out six batters over five-plus innings.

On paper, this looked like a good bounce-back opportunity for Cease, as KC entered the contest in the bottom third of the league in runs scored. However, the right-hander gave up a season-high seven earned runs, three of which crossed the plate after he departed. The White Sox bullpen can't be entirely blamed for that -- Cease allowed all three batters he faced in the sixth to reach base, handing over a bases-loaded, no-out situation. Cease was exceptional through four starts this season, posting a 2.01 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 29:12 K:BB. He's struggled since then, however, yielding 20 earned runs across 18 innings over his subsequent four starts. Things may not get any easier in his next outing, as he's tentatively lined up for a home matchup against the Astros.

Greinke did not factor in the decision against the White Sox on Monday, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out two batters over 5.2 innings.

Greinke carried a one-run lead into the sixth inning, but a Gavin Sheets solo homer tied the score and eliminated his shot at a win. The veteran hurler once again failed to miss bats -- he induced just two swinging strikes and notched two punchouts -- but managed to craft his way to within an out of a quality start. Greinke has fanned just 27 batters over 41.2 innings this season, emphasizing his changed approach late in his career after averaging over a strikeout per inning in multiple seasons when he was younger. Despite the lack of dynamic stuff, Greinke is at least providing some length for KC, going at least five innings in all but one of his eight starts so far this season.

Cortes yielded two runs on six hits and two walks over five-plus innings during Monday's win over Oakland. He struck out four and did not factor in the decision.

Cortes looked strong through five shutout frames, allowing four hits and a walk and never facing too much of a threat. He took the mound in the sixth and put three straight A's on base and was charged with two runs after leaving the game. Cortes has looked shaky recently; over his last four starts, he's registered a 6.53 ERA, raising his season mark to 4.74. His next outing is projected to be a home matchup against the Rays.

Sears (0-3) allowed five runs on six hits over 5.1 innings Monday, striking out four and taking a loss against the Yankees.

Sears looked strong to begin his outing with four scoreless frames. He gave up a two-run shot to Oswaldo Cabrera in the fifth followed by two more homers in the sixth. Sears has now allowed 10 long balls in 37.1 innings, resulting in an unsightly 5.54 ERA. Still searching for his first win of the year, he's expected to face the Rangers at home this weekend.

Wentz (1-3) allowed two runs on three hits across 5.2 innings to earn the win Monday against the Guardians. He walked three and struck out five.

Wentz didn't have great control with the three walks, and that led to 92 pitches before he exited in the sixth, but it was still a solid start for the righty. He's established himself as a rotation regular with Beau Brieske (elbow) and Matt Manning (foot) going down in the early going, though he's been a bit unsteady with a 6.09 ERA. Wentz should start again over the weekend against the Mariners.

The Angels placed Suarez on the 15-day injured list Monday with a left shoulder strain, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Suarez felt soreness in his left shoulder during the second inning of Sunday's start against the Rangers, and the results of an MRI were concerning enough for the left-hander to be placed on the IL. He'll miss at least two weeks of action, with the Angels calling up Cesar Valdez from Triple-A Salt Lake to take Suarez's place on the roster. Chase Silseth, who threw 3.1 innings out of the bullpen Sunday, could end up taking Suarez's spot in the rotation if the Angels opt to keep a six-man staff intact.

Miller is headed back to the Bay Area to be evaluated after feeling tightness in his right elbow following Sunday's start against the Royals, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said the initial suspicion is Miller is dealing with a flexor muscle issue and that "we're hoping for the best." A stint on the injured list, and in all likelihood a lengthy one, seems likely, but more will be known once Miller is examined. The right-hander has posted a 3.38 ERA and 22:7 K:BB over 21.1 frames covering his first four major-league-starts. Miller has already more than doubled his innings total as a pro this season, having missed ample time due to injury.

Paxton (hamstring) returned from his rehab assignment Monday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

It's a formality, as Paxton's rehab window is closing. He has not yet officially been added to the active roster, but that's coming soon and Paxton is expected to make his Red Sox debut this weekend against the Cardinals. He's been out all season with a hamstring strain.

Hankins (elbow) tossed 1.1 innings Saturday and was charged with three earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two after High-A Lake County activated him Tuesday.

Hankins was making his first appearance at a full-season affiliate since Aug. 29, 2019, with his lone other outing since that time coming in a rehab appearance at the rookie-ball level last August. The 22-year-old has endured a long road back from May 2021 Tommy John surgery and will likely have his workload managed carefully this season.

Lynch (shoulder) made a rehab start Sunday for Triple-A Omaha, covering 3.1 scoreless innings while allowing three hits and two walks and striking out three.

After tossing 2.1 innings and 59 pitches in his first rehab outing last Tuesday for Double-A Northwest Arkansas, Lynch built up to 72 pitches (42 strikes) in his second start while moving up to the Royals' top affiliate. The southpaw looks like he could be ready to return from the 15-day injured list to rejoin the big-league rotation as soon as this Friday in Milwaukee. Ryan Yarbrough is tentatively lined up to start that day, but he exited his start Sunday after being struck in the face by a line drive and could be headed to the IL.