MLB Player News

The Angels activated Canning (groin) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday versus the Nationals in Anaheim, Sarah Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Though he failed to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster while he was hobbled by a left groin strain, Canning showed enough improvement in the two weeks since spring training ended to join the Angels the first time the team is incorporating a sixth starter into the mix. Canning was given the green light to join the big club after he dazzled in his lone rehab start for Single-A Inland Empire on April 6, when he worked five innings while striking out 10 and allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks. Canning tossed 92 pitches in that start, so he shouldn't face any limitations Wednesday from a workload standpoint.

Flexen (0-2) was the pitcher of record in Tuesday's 14-9 loss to the Cubs after striking out one and allowing eight runs on 10 hits and two walks across 2.1 innings.

Flexen looked to have a clear path to capturing his first win of the season heading into the bottom of the second inning, as the Mariners offense spotted him a 7-0 lead. The right-hander proceeded to allow a run in the bottom of the second before returning to the mound for the third and completely unraveling. He was charged with seven of the eight runs the Cubs scored in the third frame to complete their comeback bid, with Trey Mancini slugging a two-run home run off of him and Nelson Velazquez mashing a grand slam. Flexen now sports an 8.74 ERA and 2.03 WHIP over 11.1 innings on the season, but despite his poor results, he may continue to serve as the Mariners' No. 5 starter, as the Mariners are otherwise lacking in appealing alternatives while Robbie Ray (elbow) is on the shelf.

Battenfield is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Yankees in Cleveland.

Cleveland previously called Battenfield up from Triple-A Columbus on Monday, and after he wasn't needed out of the bullpen in either of the team's past two games, he'll end up entering the rotation as a replacement for Aaron Civale (oblique), who was moved to the 15-day injured list. After working five innings in his lone outing at Triple-A on April 4 prior to his call-up, Battenfield should be sufficiently stretched out for starting duty in what will be his MLB debut. The 25-year-old right-hander spent the entire 2022 season at Columbus, logging a 3.63 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 109:57 K:BB across 153.2 innings.

Hoglund's biceps issue from last season is still bothering him, so he opened the year on the 7-day injured list with Single-A Stockton, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.

He missed the end of last season with a biceps injury, and unfortunately Hoglund enters his age-23 season back on the shelf. The big 6-foot-4 righty has just eight professional innings under his belt, as injuries have already had a major impact on his development and long-term outlook.

Paxton (hamstring) will make a rehab start at Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

This will be Paxton's second rehab start; the lefty threw three innings for the WooSox on Sunday. After Friday, he could need another start or two before his activation. What Paxton's role will be, however, remains an open question. The Red Sox will have Brayan Bello (forearm), Corey Kluber, Chris Sale and Garrett Whitlock locked in the rotation. That leaves Paxton vying with Tanner Houck and Nick Pivetta for the final spot.

Manoah didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 9-3 win over the Tigers, giving up three runs on four hits and five walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out three.

All the damage came on a three-run shot by Nick Maton in the second inning, but Manoah had trouble finishing off hitters and got the hook after 85 pitches (58 strikes). With that, he didn't get a chance to benefit from the Blue Jays' offense coming to life in the second half of the game. The big-right-hander has a 4.91 ERA and shaky 11:11 K:BB through his first three starts and 14.2 innings this season, and he could have trouble rebounding this weekend, as he lines up to face the unbeaten Rays in his next outing.

Bello (forearm) allowed four hits and one run while striking out four and walking none over six innings for Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday.

Bello made his second rehab start and upped his pitch count to 80 (51 strikes) while hitting 97 mph. This may have been his final rehab outing, and the right-hander could rejoin the Red Sox in time for a start against the Angels on Sunday or Monday, which is the team's traditional Patriots Day game that starts at 11:10 am.

McClanahan (3-0) picked up the win in Tuesday's 7-2 victory over Boston, allowing one run on two hits and four walks over five-plus innings. He struck out nine.

The southpaw blanked the BoSox for five innings, but after McClanahan led off the sixth with a walk to Rafael Devers and a single by Justin Turner, he got the hook and eventually had to watch Devers come around to score. McClanahan generated a massive 23 swinging strikes on 95 pitches in another dominant performance, and he'll take a 1.59 ERA and 21:9 K:BB through 17 innings into his next outing, likely to come in Toronto this weekend.

Whitlock (0-1) took the loss Tuesday as Boston was steamrolled 7-2 by Tampa Bay, coughing up five runs on eight hits -- including three home runs -- over five innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

Making his season debut after completing his recovery from hip surgery last September, Whitlock ran into the buzzsaw known as the undefeated Rays. The 26-year-old righty tossed 62 of 85 pitches for strikes and showed good control, but his command may not be quite there yet as Isaac Paredes, Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe all took him deep. Whitlock will look to rebound in his next outing, likely to come this weekend at home against the Angels.

Ragans (2-0) retired both of the batters faced in the top of the 10th inning to earn the win over Kansas City on Tuesday.

Ragans entered with one out and two on in the top of the 10th inning and gave up a flyball that plated a run charged to Jose Leclerc before getting the final out. When the Rangers scored four in the bottom half, it made Ragans a winner for the second time in 2023. The young left-hander has not allowed a run in five relief outings.