MLB Player News

Flexen (1-2) picked up the victory during Friday's 4-1 win over Kansas City, allowing one run on six hits with five strikeouts in seven innings.

After allowing three earned runs and being tagged for the loss in each of his first two starts, Flexen shut down the Royals offense besides a Salvador Perez solo shot. Through three starts, the 27-year-old has an excellent 3.63 ERA -- nearly identical to last season's 3.61 mark -- and 11 strikeouts compared to just four walks through 17.1 innings. He's currently set to face off against Tampa Bay on Thursday for his next start.

Ober struck out six in five innings, allowing one run on five hits in a 2-1 win Friday over the White Sox. He did not factor into the decision.

Ober allowed just three harmless singles over his first four innings of work. He got into some trouble in the fifth when Andrew Vaughn tagged him for a leadoff home run and Reese McGuire added a double. The righty then retired the next three batters to complete his outing. The 26-year-old was roughed up in his first start of the season but has pitched well in his last two appearances, allowing three runs (one earned) and one walk in 11 innings of work.

Kopech struck out seven in five scoreless innings, allowing three hits and walking one in a 2-1 loss Friday in Minnesota. He did not factor into the decision.

Kopech never had a runner get past second base as he scattered three hits and a walk. He left the game leading 1-0 and in line to record his first win of the season but the bullpen was unable to hold the slim lead. The 26-year-old has allowed one run or less in each of his three starts and is sporting a 0.64 ERA. With 83 pitches Friday, Kopech has increased his pitch count in each appearance and could secure his first win soon if he continues with a similar workload.

Taillon (1-1) allowed one run on seven hits across five innings Friday, striking out five and earning a win over the Guardians.

Taillon spread seven hits over five innings but the only real damage against him was Franmil Reyes' solo shot in the fourth. The 6-foot-5 righty has given up a homer in each of his first three starts this season but he lowered his ERA to 3.07 through 14.2 frames. He'll carry a 13:1 K:BB into next week's projected home outing against the Orioles.

Canning (back) is expected to toss a bullpen session Friday, Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports.

Canning threw 20 pitches -- all of which were fastballs -- in his previous bullpen Tuesday, and he's slated to get back on the mound Friday. The right-hander suffered a lower back stress fracture last July and encountered a setback in March as he prepared for the start of the season. Canning was subsequently placed on the 60-day IL and isn't eligible to return until late May.

Kluber (0-1) allowed four runs on 11 hits in five innings, taking the loss Friday against Boston. He walked a batter and struck out three.

Kluber gave up a pair of runs in both the first and third innings. The damage could have been greater had he not induced two double-play ground balls. After allowing only two runs and seven hits combined in his first two starts, the righty put together his least effective start of the season, allowing 12 of 25 batters to reach safely.

Wacha (1-0) allowed two runs on three hits in five innings, earning the victory Friday in Tampa Bay. He walked two and struck out three.

Other than Wander Franco and his two solo home runs, Wacha handled the Tampa Bay lineup well. He threw just 50 of his 82 pitches for strikes but managed to work around his command issues and some shaky defense to earn his first win. After amassing a 5.34 ERA over the last two seasons, the 30-year-old has pitched well in all three starts this season with a 1.88 ERA and has allowed less than one baserunner per inning.

Manager Terry Francona said the Guardians expect Quantrill (illness) to be activated from the COVID-19 injured list to start Saturday against the Yankees, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

The 27-year-old landed on the COVID-19 IL on Wednesday, but it appears he'll only end up spending a few days on the shelf. Quantrill has apparently cleared MLB's testing protocols but still needs to be activated ahead of Saturday's contest.

Gray (knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to April 20.

The 30-year-old will miss some time with a low-grade MCL sprain in his left knee, though it isn't expected to be a lengthy absence. Gray suffered the injury during Tuesday's start against the Mariners, which was his first game back after going down with a finger injury Opening Day. Glenn Otto will step into his spot in the rotation and will pitch Friday in Oakland.

Ryu (forearm) began light throwing Friday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Ryu left his previous start Saturday against the Athletics with forearm inflammation. The fact that he's throwing again within a week seemingly backs up the idea that he could wind up missing just two or three starts, though he's expected to require at least one rehab outing, which could push his timeline back.