MLB Player News

Houck is listed as Boston's starting pitcher for Thursday's game versus the Twins, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Houck might eventually be booted from the rotation with Brayan Bello returning from the 15-day injured list Monday and James Paxton (hamstring) not far off from being activated either, but Houck will make at least one more start as the Red Sox use a six-man rotation this week. The right-hander has been effective in his career both as a starter (3.39 ERA) and reliever (2.68 ERA) and holds a 4.50 ERA in three starts this season.

Gambrell (ankle) made his season debut Thursday in High-A Greenville's 10-8 loss to Asheville, covering 4.2 innings and striking out six while allowing four earned runs on seven hits and four walks.

Though Gambrell wasn't sharp in his season debut, the Red Sox organization was likely just content to see the right-hander healthy again after he had his entire 2022 campaign wiped out by an ankle injury. The 25-year-old will likely need to string together several quality outings in a row before Boston will entertain promoting him to Double-A Portland.

The Red Sox activated Bello (forearm) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Monday versus the Angels at Fenway Park.

After opening the season on the shelf due to a forearm issue, the right-hander was excellent in his lone rehab start at Triple-A Worcester on April 11, striking out four over six frames of one-run ball. Fantasy managers in shallower leagues may want to take more of a wait-and-see approach with Bello before inserting him into lineups, but he should be rostered in most deeper leagues.

Gray (elbow) said he was essentially pain free and is expected to throw his in-between starts bullpen session Wednesday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. "I really think I dodged a bullet," Gray said. "I came out of it less sore than I thought I'd be."

Gray intended to play catch Sunday and again Monday before Wednesday's bullpen. If all goes well, the right-hander is planned to start Friday against Oakland, which ranks 26th in OPS (.683).

Sears did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs on four hits over six innings. He struck out three.

Sears pitched well overall but was punished by the long ball in Sunday's outing. The 27-year-old allowed a solo blast to Tommy Pham in the second to get the scoring started for the Mets. He eventually retired 13 straight batters before allowing another solo home run in the sixth, this time to Francisco Lindor to put the Mets back up 2-1. Sears earned his first quality start in three tries this season and now sits at a 4.60 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and a 12:2 K:BB over 15.2 innings. He's tentatively lined up to face the Rangers on the road next weekend.

Heaney allowed two hits and three walks over five shutout frames during Sunday's win over Houston. He struck out four and did not factor in the decision.

Heaney didn't face much trouble during his five scoreless innings. He didn't allow an extra-base hit but forced just four whiffs on 88 pitches. The 31-year-old southpaw was locked into a pitcher's duel with Framber Valdez and didn't get the win because the scoreless tie wasn't broken until the seventh inning. Heaney will carry a 4.97 ERA into his next start, which is projected to be late this week at home against the Athletics.

Valdez (1-2) allowed five runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks over six innings Sunday. He struck out seven and took a loss against the Rangers.

Valdez faced little resistance from the Rangers through six shutout innings. He then allowed five straight batters to reach base in the seventh without recording an out, including one via error. He was eventually charged with five total runs after Hector Neris allowed a grand slam to Marcus Semien. Valdez forced 13 whiffs, including seven with the curveball, and improved his season K:BB to 25:8 through four outings. He's projected to start in Atlanta next week.

Greinke allowed four runs on four hits while striking out six with one walk over six innings Sunday against the Royals, but he didn't factor into the decision.

Greinke pitched six efficient innings and held the potent Atlanta offense to only four hits; however, he was tagged for three runs in the third inning and didn't factor into the decision. Despite having a solid 4.03 ERA and 17:4 K:BB over 22.1 innings pitched, the 39-year-old veteran is still winless with an 0-3 record in 2023. With the Royals ranking at the bottom of the league in offensive efficiency, it may be difficult for their starting rotation to earn wins regularly. Still, Greinke will aim to achieve his first win in his next start, scheduled tentatively for the upcoming series with the Angels.

Castillo (2-0) allowed two hits over seven scoreless frames Sunday, striking out nine and earning a win over Colorado.

Castillo completely dominated the Rockies on Sunday. He carried a perfect game into the seventh inning before giving up a pair of singles. His nine punchouts and 19 whiffs were both his best marks of the season. Castillo is now sporting a stellar 0.73 ERA and 26:4 K:BB through four outings. He's projected to face the Cardinals at home next week.

Bieber did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing three runs on nine hits and one walk over six innings against the Nationals. He struck out four.

Bieber struggled a bit early, allowing a run in each of the first three innings. He then settled in, blanking the Nationals over his final three frames, though he had to settle for a no-decision when Washington scored twice on Nick Sandlin in the eighth, and the game ultimately ended in a 7-6 Cleveland loss. Overall, Bieber has been solid through his first four starts this season, pitching to a 2.88 ERA in 25 innings with a 1.12 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB.