MLB Player News

Whitlock will likely start Saturday's game against the Rays, unless he's used in relief Thursday or Friday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Whitlock served mainly as a starter in the minors, but his first 50 big-league appearances have come in relief. He's been effective early in 2022, posting a 0.93 ERA and 0.62 WHIP in 9.2 innings while picking up a win and converting one of two save chances. However, the Red Sox are shuffling their rotation ahead of their upcoming road trip to Toronto, so manager Alex Cora said Whitlock will likely make his first major-league start on the road against Tampa Bay on Saturday. The rotation change is expected to be temporary, brought about by unvaccinated starter Tanner Houck being unable to start when the Red Sox head to Canada for a series in Toronto.

Rasmussen allowed two earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four across three innings Wednesday against the Cubs. He did not factor into the decision.

Rasmussen was handed a 4-0 lead in the opening frame, but he failed to work efficiently and lost the chance to earn his first win of the campaign. He wasn't hit particularly hard, though multiple batters reached base in every inning that he worked. Positively, Rasmussen generated four groundball outs and threw a first-pitch strike to 13 of the 16 hitters he faced. Rasmussen has a 5.25 ERA and has failed to complete five innings in two of his three starts to begin the season.

Berrios (1-0) picked up the win in Wednesday's 6-1 victory over the Red Sox, giving up one run on eight hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out six.

Boston got to him for a run in the first inning, but Berrios settled in after that and cruised to the win after Toronto erupted for five runs in the second frame. The right-hander tossed 68 of 96 pitches for strikes in his first quality start of the season, and while his ratios remain shaky due to his brutal outing Opening Day, he has a 3.27 ERA and 11:4 K:BB through 11 innings over his last two starts.

Keuchel (1-1) allowed 10 runs (eight earned) on 10 hits and one walk with zero strikeouts across one inning to take the loss in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Guardians.

Keuchel was let down by his defense in the outing, as the White Sox committed three errors on the first six balls in play. However, he was hit hard thereafter, allowing eight consecutive hits in the second inning -- with the biggest being a grand slam by Jose Ramirez. It was an unequivocally disastrous effort, though it is worth noting that Keuchel had his start pushed back twice due to postponements caused by weather. He also threw better in his initial appearance of the season, when he surrendered three earned runs across five innings while striking out five against the Mariners. Given that, Keuchel should have the chance to rebound in his next turn through the rotation, which is currently projected to come Tuesday at Kansas City.

Odorizzi (0-2) took the loss Wednesday, surrendering six runs (three earned) on two hits and four walks over two-thirds of an inning as the Astros fell 6-0 to the Angels. He struck out two.

The first five Los Angeles batters all reached base against Odorizzi, and while a Yuli Gurriel two-out error after he'd already gotten the hook tacked some additional runs onto his ledger, there's no silver lining for the right-hander here. Odorizzi has a brutal 9.00 ERA, 2.56 WHIP and 5:7 K:BB through nine innings over his first three starts, and it may not be long before he loses his spot in the rotation entirely given how effective Cristian Javier has been in long relief, including 3.2 scoreless frames Wednesday.

Rodriguez allowed three runs across six innings but did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's loss to the Yankees. He gave up four hits and a walk while striking out five.

Rodriguez pitched reasonably well against a stout New York lineup, and though he's still looking for his first win of the season, he now at least has his first quality start with Detroit. The lefty has been tested so far with outings against the White Sox, Red Sox and Yankees, so his 5.27 ERA could start to come down as he gets some easier matchups. His next projected start Tuesday against the Twins qualifies, as Minnesota's lineup has struggled in the early going.

Bieber (1-0) earned the win in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the White Sox. He allowed a run on four hits and zero walks with seven strikeouts in six innings.

Bieber was originally scheduled to start Monday, but he was pushed back twice by weather delays. The extra rest didn't seem to bother him, as he turned in his longest start of the season Wednesday. The Guardians' ace sports a 2.25 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 16:3 K:BB in 16 innings across his three starts this season. Cleveland will need at least spot starter over the weekend, but Bieber should be good to take his next turn in the rotation next week on the road versus the Angels.

Dunning (0-1) suffered the loss against Seattle on Wednesday, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out three.

Dunning struggled with his control throughout the contest, throwing only 48 of 79 pitches for strikes and issuing a season-high three free passes. The right-hander also gave up six hits, so he was somewhat fortunate to escape having allowed just three runs. Dunning has completed five frames in only one of his three starts so far this season, and he has recorded an uninspiring 5.68 ERA through 16.2 innings. He's lined up to face Houston at home in his next scheduled start.

Gilbert (2-0) recorded the win against Texas on Wednesday, tossing 6.2 scoreless innings during which he allowed six hits and struck out four.

Only one of the six hits against Gilbert went for extra bases, and he finished his outing without issuing a walk for his second straight appearance. The right-hander went exactly five innings in his previous two starts, so his ability to pitch into the seventh and register a quality start Wednesday was a pleasant development for his fantasy managers. Gilbert has allowed only one earned run over his three outings this season, good for a tidy 0.54 ERA. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which is scheduled to take place in Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

Lynch (1-1) earned the win over Minnesota on Wednesday, pitching five scoreless innings and allowing four hits and one walk while striking out two.

Lynch wasn't overpowering Wednesday, as he induced only eight swinging strikes and picked up a mere two punchouts. However, he didn't surrender any extra-base hits and kept the Twins off the scoreboard to notch his first victory. The southpaw will look to build upon this performance in his next start, which is tentatively slated to take place on the road against the White Sox on Tuesday.