MLB Player News

Bello will start Monday's game against the Rays, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Bello made his major-league debut Wednesday against Tampa Bay and allowed four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three in four innings. Despite his lackluster results, he'll get at least one more turn through the rotation for Monday's series opener at Tropicana Field. The right-hander has been dominant in the minors this year, posting a 2.33 ERA, 114:33 K:BB and 1.02 WHIP in 85 innings between the Double-A and Triple-A clubs.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Sale (rib) will likely be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Tuesday's game at Tampa Bay, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. "He'll pitch Tuesday. Somewhere, he'll pitch Tuesday, but there's a good chance he'll pitch with us," Cora said.

Cora still left the door open a crack for Sale's next outing to come in the minors, but all signs point to the southpaw slotting back into the Boston rotation next week for what would be his first appearance with the big club since the 2021 postseason. He didn't make a start in spring training after suffering a stress fracture on the right side of his rib cage in a mid-March throwing session, but the 33-year-old looks to be healthy again after a nearly four-month layoff. Though Sale was far from sharp in his fourth rehab outing with Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday -- he issued five walks in 3.2 innings -- he still struck out five batters and built up to 77 pitches. Assuming he's activated for Tuesday's game, Sale should face only a light restriction with his workload.

Wacha (arm) is unsure whether he'll be able to start Friday against the Yankees, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Manager Alex Cora recently expressed optimism that Wacha would be able to start Friday's matchup, but his status is in question as he continues to deal with a heavy arm. The right-hander will presumably continue to be monitored before the Red Sox determine his status for Friday's matchup.

Watkins (2-1) picked up the win in Wednesday's 2-1 victory over the Rangers, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over 6.2 innings. He struck out three.

The right-hander delivered his second straight quality start on 84 pitches (61 strikes), although Watkins was far from dominant as he generated only nine swinging strikes. Since returning to the rotation at the end of June, the 29-year-old has an improbable 1.02 ERA and 0.85 WHIP through 17.2 innings over three outings despite a lackluster 12:3 K:BB.

Bello (0-1) took the loss versus the Rays on Wednesday, allowing four runs on six hits while striking out two and walking three across four innings.

Bello allowed four earned runs in his debut and began his MLB career with a loss. He threw 45 of 79 pitches for strikes across and allowed four runs thanks to a single and two doubles. If the Red Sox decide to give him another turn in the rotation, he tentatively lines up to face the Rays again next week.

Kluber (4-5) earned the win against Boston on Wednesday, allowing no runs on three hits while striking out five and walking none over six innings.

Kluber was dominant in Wednesday's win, throwing 57 of 80 pitches for strikes across six frames for his fifth quality start in his last eight games. He bounced back well after allowing five runs in three innings in his last appearance. The righty threw his fourth scoreless outing of the year and lowered his ERA to 3.62.

Severino (5-3) earned the win against the Pirates on Wednesday, allowing no runs on four hits while striking out three and walking none across six innings.

Severino was lights-out, throwing 58 of 88 pitches for strikes across six frames. He limited the Pirates offense to just four hits. It was Severino's third quality start in a row, but his first game without allowing a run since June 4. The righty had back-to-back losses in his previous two games (both against the Astros), but he picked up a dominant win Wednesday. He'll take a 3.11 ERA into his next outing.

Javier (6-4) took the loss against Kansas City on Wednesday, allowing five runs on four hits and three walks while striking out seven batters over five innings.

The Royals got to Javier early in the contest, belting three long balls and scoring four runs over the first two innings. The righty hurler gave up only one more run the rest of his outing, but the damage was too much for Houston's offense to overcome. Javier had allowed only five homers over 69.2 innings entering the contest, and he hadn't given up more than one in any of his 15 outings. He's had a few poor starts but has been very good overall, posting a 3.01 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 102:27 K:BB.

Keller (4-9) earned the win over Houston on Wednesday, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three batters.

Keller struggled a bit with his control in the contest -- he threw only 60 of 105 pitches for strikes and tied a season high with three walks -- but he was able to take advantage of an early outburst by the Royals' offense to collect the win. The right-hander limited Houston to five hits, though three of those went for extra bases, including a sixth-inning solo homer by Aledmys Diaz that spelled the end of Keller's outing. The 26-year-old hurler has been inconsistent throughout the campaign, but he's won three of his past four starts after starting the season with a 1-8 mark through his first 11 outings.

Lynn allowed five earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four across five innings Wednesday against the Twins. He did not factor into the decision.

Lynn allowed at least one run in three of his five innings, with a two-run blast by Jorge Polanco in the fifth frame clinching another disappointing outing. He has worked at least six frames in each of his last three starts, but Lynn has allowed fewer than three earned runs only once in five appearances this season. As a result, he owns a 5.33 ERA across 27 innings on the campaign.