MLB Player News

Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed that Paxton (elbow) exited his rehab start Thursday in the rookie-level Florida Complex League due to a left lat strain, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Cora noted that the Red Sox won't know how serious Paxton's injury is until he's evaluated over the next couple of days, but the setback could be a season-ending one for the southpaw, who was making his first rehab appearance Thursday since undergoing Tommy John surgery last April. Because he's likely to require a multi-week buildup program coming off the major elbow surgery, Paxton wasn't on track to come off the 60-day injured list until September. Even if the lat strain proves to be minor, Paxton's return date will be pushed back to some extent, and it's certainly possible that he doesn't make it back to the Red Sox before the regular season ends Oct. 5.

Bello (groin) will make a rehab start at Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Bello made a rehab start at Double-A Portland on Sunday and gave up a run on two hits and no walks while striking out six in 3.2 innings. He's been on the injured list since Aug. 3, so he should have a chance to rejoin the Red Sox following Friday's outing.

Paxton (elbow) was removed midway through the first inning of his first rehab start Thursday in the rookie-level Florida Complex League after experiencing lat tightness, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Pitching in a competitive game for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery in April of 2021, Paxton retired the two batters he faced before exiting the contest on account of another injury. Even if follow-up tests clear Paxton of a lat strain or a more serious injury, he's still likely to be shut down from throwing for at least a few days. The Red Sox already weren't counting on Paxton being ready to return from the 60-day injured list until early September, and the lat issue will likely push his potential season debut back further, if it even happens at all.

The Twins announced Thursday that the MRI taken on Mahle's right shoulder revealed no issue, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports. Mahle remains day-to-day with an injury the Twins are describing as "general soreness and fatigue."

After his average fastball velocity was down approximately four miles per hour from his season average during his start Wednesday versus the Royals, Mahle was pulled after 2.1 innings, despite having allowed only one baserunner. Fortunately for Mahle, his shoulder is structurally sound, and he doesn't appear to be dealing with a strain either. He's tentatively lined up to make his next start Aug. 23 in Houston, but the Twins will likely wait and see how he fares during a bullpen session this weekend before locking him in for his next turn through the rotation.

Kluber did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk over six innings against the Yankees. He struck out eight.

Kluber kept the Yankees off the board until the sixth inning, when Gleyber Torres launched a two-run homer. Even with the solid performance, the righty has struggled lately with a 5.62 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 49.2 innings across his last nine starts. Additionally, the 36-year-old has allowed four runs or more in five of those nine outings.

Striping didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Orioles, allowing only one hit over 6.1 scoreless innings while striking out seven without walking a batter.

The right-hander was absolutely dazzling in his return to the mound from a hip issue that had sidelined him for a couple weeks, and Stripling took a perfect game into the seventh inning before Cedric Mullins rapped out a leadoff single. Stripling exited after an incredibly efficient 72 pitches (52), but Austin Voth matched him goose egg for goose egg, and the Blue Jays offense didn't break through until the bottom of the seventh. The quality start was Stripling's fourth of the year, and he'll take a 2.93 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 74:15 K:BB through 89 innings into his next outing.

German did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over 4.2 innings against the Rays. He struck out six.

German surrendered three doubles, two of which came off the bat of third baseman Yandy Diaz, accounting for all three runs against him . The righty has allowed five or more hits in five of his six starts during 2022 but hasn't served a home run in three straight starts. Prior to this outing, the had allowed two runs or fewer in four straight appearances.

Lynch (4-8) took the loss Wednesday, giving up four runs (three earned) on five hits and a walk over six innings as the Royals were downed 4-0 by the Twins. He struck out two.

The southpaw didn't allow much traffic but had trouble shutting the door when he did, with a two-out, two-run homer by Jose Miranda in the first inning giving Tyler Mahle (shoulder) and the Minnesota bullpen all the run support they would need. While it barely qualified, the quality start was Lynch's second of the season and his first since late April. He'll take a 4.52 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 91:38 K:BB through 93.2 innings into his next outing.

Quantrill did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks over six innings against the Tigers. He struck out two.

Quantrill surrendered a home run to third baseman Willi Castro to lead off the sixth to squash his attempt at a quality start, which would have been his third straight. The righty has been far more successful at home with a 6-0 record and 3.38 ERA compared to a 3-5 record and 4.34 ERA in road games. The 27-year-old is 5-0 in his last eight starts with a 1.08 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in 47.1 innings.

Toussaint (1-1) took the loss against the Mariners on Wednesday, allowing four runs on three hits while striking out three and walking four over 2.2 innings.

Toussaint tossed 34 of 62 pitches for strikes across 2.2 frames allowing seven baserunners and four earned runs. After allowing four runs in his previous 13.1 innings, this was a step in the wrong direction for the 26-year-old righty, who is attempting to lock down his spot in the rotation. The rough outing ballooned his ERA from 2.70 to 4.50.