MLB Player News

Williams was promoted from High-A Lake County to Double-A Akron on Monday.

Williams was dominant in Lake County to begin the season, as he posted a 1.40 ERA, 67:14 K:BB and 0.87 WHIP in 45 innings over nine starts with the club. The right-hander was selected 23rd overall in last year's draft and will now have a chance to prove himself against advanced competition.

Ober will be placed on the 15-day injured list with a right groin injury Monday, Megan Ryan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Ober was sidelined with a right groin strain earlier in the season, and while the extent of his current injury isn't yet clear, he'll at least be forced to miss a few turns through the rotation. The right-hander gave up eight runs in nine innings over his last two starts, and it's possible that his injury contributed to his struggles. Cole Sands is a strong candidate to take Ober's place in the starting rotation.

Williams has a 1.40 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 67:14 K:BB across nine starts (45 innings) for High-A Lake County.

He's given up one or zero runs in seven consecutive outings and most recently pitched a season-high 6.1 innings on Friday, striking out eight while allowing a single run on five hits and a walk. This has been an incredible pro debut for Williams, who went 23rd overall in last year's draft, and with the way he's dominated at High-A, a promotion should be forthcoming very soon.

Odorizzi (leg) threw a 57-pitch bullpen session Saturday and had no complications, Robert Falkoff of MLB.com reports.

Odorizzi continues to ramp up his activity and has completed bullpen sessions of 41 and 57 pitches. Despite the progress, manager Dusty Baker stated there is still no timetable for Odorizzi to embark on a rehab assignment. That likely leaves him in line for a return in late June at the earliest.

Baz (elbow) struck out 10 over 4.1 innings Sunday in his fourth rehab start with Triple-A Durham. He was charged with one earned run on four hits and a walk.

The 10 strikeouts equaled a career-high for Baz, who built up to 79 pitches in the outing and looks ready to return from the 60-day injured list to make his next start in the big leagues. In order to make room for Baz in the rotation, the Rays could either choose to expand from a five-man to a six-man setup or demote Ryan Yarbrough to the bullpen, after the lefty was lit up for six runs in 1.2 innings Sunday in Tampa Bay's loss to the White Sox. Either way, fantasy managers who have stashing Baz on the IL should be prepared to activate him ahead of his 2022 Rays debut, which will likely come Saturday or Sunday in Minnesota.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Paxton (elbow) threw up to 120 feet Saturday and is feeling good, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Paxton had been dealing with posterior soreness in the elbow, but the left-hander is progressing toward a return to the mound. He's pushing to get on a mound, but the team is holding off on that for time being.

Sandoval allowed two runs on four hits and four walks over 4.2 innings in Sunday's loss to the Phillies. He struck out four and did not factor in the decision.

Sandoval escaped two separate bases-loaded threats through four scoreless frames but his luck finally ran out in the fifth. He coughed up a pair of runs before leaving the game during that inning. His four walks tied a season high and he now owns a 46:24 K:BB alongside a 2.81 ERA through nine starts. Sandoval is lined up to face the Mets at home next week.

Giolito (4-2) earned the win Sunday in Tampa Bay, striking out three in six innings while allowing five runs (two earned) on eight hits and two walks.

Giolito held the Rays scoreless through the first four innings but struggled in the final two frames. In the fifth, he allowed a homer to Isaac Paredes, and in the sixth, following an error, allowed a two-out two-run homer to Mike Zunino. It was the first time all season that he struck out fewer than five batters. The 27-year-old has allowed an alarming 10 homers in 48.1 innings this season across nine starts. His next start will likely be next weekend against Texas.

Perez allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in six innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Sunday.

Perez was solid, but the two runs against him were from Eugenio Suarez hits (solo home run, RBI single). The left-hander has now gone at least six innings in nine straight starts -- he continues to provide solid length, and this was the first time he's allowed multiple runs since May 10. Perez owns a sparkling 1.56 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 56:16 K:BB through 69.1 innings in 11 starts overall. He'll likely make his next start in Chicago against the White Sox next weekend.

Kirby allowed two runs on five hits and struck out three over six innings Sunday versus the Rangers. He walked none, and he didn't factor in the decision.

Through six starts, Kirby has shown impressive control, permitting just three walks in 32 innings. He's also logged three quality starts so far, though he has just a 1-1 record to show for it. The 24-year-old right-hander will carry a 3.38 ERA and 1.09 WHIP into his next start, tentatively set for a home matchup versus the Red Sox next weekend.