MLB Player News

The Rays plan to recall Bradley from Triple-A Durham to have him start Wednesday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He'll be entering the rotation in place of Zach Eflin (back), who was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday. Bradley, 22, is one of the better pitching prospects in baseball, having posted a 2.57 ERA and 141:33 K:BB over 133.1 innings between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham in 2022. He's allowed four runs with eight strikeouts across seven frames in his first two starts with Durham in 2023. Bradley hasn't thrown more than 55 pitches in eight of those two outings, so he could be in store for a relatively short start Wednesday. He could get another start next week, too.

Eflin was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Rays on Tuesday with lower-back tightness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Eflin had pitched well in his first two starts of the season but evidently has battled through the back issue "here and there," he told Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun on Tuesday. Imaging on Eflin's back came back clean, so he should have a good shot to return when first eligible on April 23. Taj Bradley will come up to start in his place Wednesday versus the Red Sox.

Carter is on the 7-day injured list with Single-A Dunedin with an undisclosed issue.

Per Jim Callis of MLB.com, Carter was held back in extended spring training, so he presumably either showed up to camp with an injury or he suffered something this spring. Carter logged a 5.48 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 53 strikeouts in 47.2 innings last season split between rookie ball and Single-A.

Acker (undisclosed) is on the 7-day injured list at High-A Hickory.

According to Jim Callis of MLB.com, Acker is in extended spring training, so he may just be getting held back as he slowly ramps up in an effort to manage his workload. The 24-year-old righty only logged 25.2 innings split between rookie ball and High-A last season as he returned from Tommy John surgery.

Rodon's (forearm) rehab has been delayed a few days due to back tightness, Yankees manager Aaron Boone told the Talkin' Yanks podcast Tuesday.

It's wouldn't appear to be a major setback, but Rodon has had to hit pause on his throwing program. The left-hander had been slated to throw live batting practice Monday, but that apparently didn't transpire. Once Rodon begins throwing live BP, he's expected to be about a month away from joining the Yankees' rotation.

Suarez did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing four runs on 10 hits and one walk over four innings during a 6-4 loss to the Nationals. He struck out two.

Suarez was given early run support, but he wasn't able to hold onto the lead and was tagged for three runs in the fourth, which tied the game at 4-4. The left-hander is coming off back-to-back sub-4.00 ERA seasons, but he's struggled to start the 2023 campaign, allowing 11 runs on 18 hits over his two starts (8.1 innings).

Crawford was optioned to Triple-A Worcester by the Red Sox on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Crawford's two fill-in starts were a mixed bag and he will now head to Worcester with Garrett Whitlock back in the fold. Crawford is likely to see more big-league action this season, whether it's as a starter or reliever.

Whitlock was activated from the 15-day injured list by the Red Sox on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Whitlock is set to make his season debut Tuesday as he attempts to cool off the red-hot Rays. The right-hander pitched well on his rehab assignment, allowing just two runs with a 14:2 K:BB over 10 innings. Whitlock held a 4.15 ERA in nine starts last season versus a 2.75 ERA in 22 relief appearances.

Greinke fell to 0-3 with a loss against the Rangers on Monday. He allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out three batters over five innings.

Though Greinke lost his first two starts of the campaign, he pitched quite well, allowing just three runs over 11.1 combined innings. The veteran didn't fare as well Monday, but he kept the Royals competitive before the team's bullpen fell apart following his departure. Greinke was stung by a pair of Rangers homers -- the first two long balls he has given up this season -- and he struck out a season-low three batters. He still has a solid 3.31 ERA through three outings, but he may not rack up many victories this season while pitching for a Kansas City club that thus far has displayed one of MLB's worst offenses.

Heaney (1-1) earned the win against Kansas City on Monday, allowing an unearned run on two hits and two walks while striking out 10 batters over five innings.

Heaney's outing didn't start off well, as three of the first four batters reached base against him, though one was by way of an error that resulted in an unearned run. Things got significantly better for the left-handed hurler from there, as each of the nine batters he faced following the error went down on strikes. The run of consecutive punchouts tied an American League record and was one behind Tom Seaver's MLB record set in 1970. Heaney finished the outing with a massive 19 swinging strikes and 10 total punchouts in earning his first victory as a Ranger. He's always had big strikeout potential, highlighted by a career-best 13.6 K/9 with the Dodgers last season. However, with a career ERA of 4.60 and after allowing seven runs on 2.2 innings in his season debut, it's hard to count on consistency from Heaney on a game-to-game basis.