MLB Player News

Paxton (hamstring) is scheduled to make a rehab start Tuesday for Triple-A Worcester, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Paxton will make the rehab start in Buffalo against the Blue Jays' Triple-A club. The left-hander is making his way back from a hamstring strain that sidelined him throughout the spring season, and he will likely need to make multiple starts in the minors before rejoining the Red Sox near the end of April.

Ray was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left flexor strain Saturday.

Ray didn't look right against the Guardians on Friday, walking five batters in 3.1 innings while giving up five runs (three earned). A timeline for his return has not yet been established. Chris Flexen, who's started 53 games over the last two years, is likely to step into the rotation in his place, though the Mariners have yet to confirm their plans.

Flexen allowed an earned run on four hits and three walks across four innings in a loss to the Guardians on Friday. He struck out one and did not factor into the decision.

Starter Robbie Ray was chased after 3.1 innings, leading to what could have been a busy night for the bullpen. However, Flexen, a member of the rotation for most of the last two seasons, ate up some valuable innings in the back end of the contest and spared the arms of several fellow relievers in the process. Having thrown 66 pitches Friday, Flexen is unlikely to be available again until after the weekend.

Ray (0-1) took the loss Friday as the Mariners fell 9-4 to the Guardians, giving up five runs (three earned) on four hits and five walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out three.

A pair of throwing errors on the same play in the second inning -- one by Teoscar Hernandez and the other by Ray himself -- led to Cleveland's first two runs and softened the blow to the southpaw's ERA. The fact that he threw only 51 of 91 pitches for strikes played a bigger role in his early exit. Ray's success the last two seasons has been built on improved command and a walk rate below 10 percent, and it's far too early to assume he's fallen back into old, wild habits. The 31-year-old will look to bounce back in his next start, likely coming next week at home against the Angels.

Gaddis didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 9-4 win over the Mariners, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk over 3.2 innings. He struck out four.

While the right-hander was able to keep the ball in the park, Gaddis gave up plenty of loud contact as three of the five hits off him went for extra bases. He also produced only five swinging strikes among his 70 pitches, a poor recipe for future success. Gaddis will hold down the fort in the rotation for now while Triston McKenzie (shoulder) is sidelined, but another shaky start or two could cause him to get bumped aside, whether by another depth option like Konnor Pilkington or by a top prospect who has a hot start at Triple-A, such as Tanner Bibee.

Lynn yielded two runs on three hits and four walks across 5.2 innings in Friday's loss to Houston. He struck out six and did not factor in the decision.

The veteran right worked five shutout frames before his day was ended by Kyle Tucker's two-run shot in the sixth. Lynn forced 16 whiffs on 96 total pitches (55 strikes). He worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the second inning but otherwise didn't have much trouble until serving up the homer. Lynn is expected to start at home against the Giants next week.

Javier allowed three runs on eight hits and a walk over five frames during Friday's win against the White Sox. He struck out six and did not factor in the decision.

The 26-year-old settled in after allowing an RBI double to Eloy Jimenez in the first inning until Jimenez brought home another run as part of a two-run sixth. Javier forced 19 whiffs, including 10 with his fastball. He was in line to take the loss before his offense took over late in the game. Javier is lined up for a solid matchup against the Tigers at home next week.

Whitlock (hip) allowed one run over four innings in Friday's rehab start for Triple-A Worcester.

Whitlock allowed six hits with a walk, and he struck out six. The right-hander is making his way back from hip surgery that he underwent last September, and it's encouraging to see some positive results and a full four frames. Whitlock is expected to make one more start at the Triple-A level, and if everything goes well he'll be back on the bump for Boston as soon as April 11 for a start against Tampa Bay.

Rodriguez is starting for Triple-A Norfolk in their season opener Friday against Triple-A Durham, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Rodriguez did not ultimately claim a spot in the Orioles' Opening Day rotation after struggling to a 7.04 ERA across 15.1 innings (five starts) this spring in the Grapefruit League. The 23-year-old should dominate the competition at Triple-A as he looks to win an early-season promotion to Baltimore -- he posted a 2.20 ERA with 97 strikeouts over 69.2 innings (14 starts) for Norfolk last year.

Miller will open the season with Double-A Arkansas, MLB.com reports.

The Mariners don't like sending prized pitching prospects to the Pacific Coast League due to how the conditions mess with pitchers, so while Miller earned a bump this spring and with his performance in 10 starts at Double-A last year, he'll return to Arkansas for now. Seattle jumped George Kirby directly from Double-A to the majors last year, and the same could happen with Miller this summer.