MLB Player News

Syndergaard (illness) returned to the Angels' clubhouse Saturday after being scratched from Friday's start against the White Sox, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Syndergaard's illness wasn't believed to be related to COVID-19, and his quick return to the clubhouse supports that optimism. Manager Joe Maddon said Friday that the right-hander could pitch later in the team's series against the White Sox, but it's not yet clear when that might occur. Left-hander Jose Suarez is slated to start Saturday's game.

Ober (groin) was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to April 29.

Ober exited Thursday's start against the Tigers due to a right groin strain and felt better Friday, but he'll still miss at least one turn through the rotation. Cole Sands was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, while Josh Winder is a candidate to serve as a spot starter next week.

Ryu (forearm) threw three innings during a simulated game Saturday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Ryu looked healthy during Saturday's throwing session, so manager Charlie Montoyo is optimistic that the southpaw will begin a brief rehab assignment sometime next week. He'll presumably miss at least one more turn through the rotation, but Ryu appears likely to rejoin the Blue Jays sometime in May.

Bello allowed two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out eight over 5.1 innings for Double-A Portland on Friday.

The 22-year-old Bello, who is on Boston's 40-man roster, has struck out 38.5 percent of the batters he's faced through four starts (32 strikeouts, 83 batters). Friday's wayward walk total marked the first time Bello's encountered command issues. His changeup has become a plus pitch, which is effective alongside a triple-digit fastball, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports. "It has very good action," Red Sox assistant general manager Eddie Romero said. "Out of his hand, it looks like a fastball and then at the last minute, it tends to fade into one direction or the other. So that's what really makes it tough. Even if you're sitting on it, it's still a good pitch." Bello was named the organization's minor-league Pitcher of the Year in 2021, when he went 7-3 with a 3.87 ERA and 1.28 WHIP over 21 starts combined between High-A Greenville and Portland. He averaged 12.4 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9.

Montas registered a no-decision during Friday's 9-8 loss to the Guardians, allowing five runs on five hits and four walks with six strikeouts in five innings.

Montas pitched well aside from the third inning, when a single and two walks set the table for an Andres Gimenez grand slam, as the only other damage was a Jose Ramirez solo shot in the first. The 29-year-old has delivered three dominant performances and two subpar ones, which has led to a mediocre 4.25 ERA despite a 0.98 WHIP. Montas is set to pitch during next week's series against Tampa Bay.

Houck (2-1) picked up the win Friday, allowing two hits and three walks while striking out four over three scoreless innings in a 3-1 victory over Baltimore.

A well-rested Houck piggy-backed on top of starter Rich Hill, who threw four perfect innings before giving up a hit to the first batter faced in the fifth and was removed with Boston holding a 3-0 lead. Houck, whose unvaccinated status caused him to miss two starts, is expected to slip back into the rotation during the series against the Angels next week. With a day off coming, the right-hander's fifth day will be Wednesday.

Bubic (0-2) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs on four hits over five inning as the Royals got routed 12-2 by the Yankees. He struck out three without walking a batter.

Three of the four hits off Bubic went for extra bases, including back-to-back jacks by Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton in the first inning. This was arguably the best outing of the season so far for the southpaw, but Bubic's 10.50 ERA, 2.08 WHIP and 8:9 K:BB through 12 innings will mark him as an unappealing fantasy option until he can show some consistency.

Civale registered a no-decision during Friday's 9-8 win against Oakland, allowing six runs on seven hits and a walk with three strikeouts in four innings.

Civale settled down a bit after permitting four runs in the first inning, three of them coming on a Sean Murphy home run, but faltered again in the fourth when he allowed two more runs to cross the plate. The 26-year-old has now surrendered at least four runs while going no deeper than four innings in each of his four starts this season, though he only has two losses thanks to some big offensive showings. He'll carry a 10.67 ERA into his next start, most likely to come against Toronto next weekend.

Cortes (1-0) picked up the win Friday in a 12-2 rout of the Royals, allowing two runs (one earned) on eight hits over five innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.

The Yankees scored three runs in the top of the first inning and slugged four homers in total on the night, giving Cortes more than enough run support. The southpaw tossed 56 of 82 pitches for strikes before hitting the showers, and he continues to completely baffle hitters. Cortes sports a stunning 35.9 percent strikeout rate and 3.8 percent walk rate through his first 20.2 innings in 2022.

Kluber (1-1) picked up the win in Friday's 6-1 victory over the Twins, allowing one run on one hit over six innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The right-hander fired an efficient 71 pitches (48 strikes) before exiting the game with his first quality start of the season. Kluber isn't the ace he was at his peak in Cleveland, but the 36-year-old has had a solid start to 2022, posting a 3.05 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB through 20.2 innings.