MLB Player News

Velasquez (0-1) took the loss after allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks in 4.2 innings while striking out five in a 9-3 loss Sunday against the Rays.

In the four-run first inning, Velasquez walked in two runs and made an error that allowed another run to score. However, the righty calmed down and at one point retired 10 straight batters. The 29-year-old has six walks over 8.2 innings this season after setting a career high with 4.7 walks per nine innings in 2021. His next scheduled start is Friday in Minnesota.

Cortes allowed three hits and a walk while striking out 12 in five scoreless innings during Sunday's loss to the Orioles. He didn't factor into the decision.

Cortes had a career-best season in 2021, and he's gotten off to a hot start in his first two appearances this year. The southpaw was efficient during Sunday's matchup in Baltimore, throwing 62 of his 88 pitches for strikes en route to a career-high 12 punchouts. While he didn't get any run support from the Yankees, it was encouraging to see him continue to build up his pitch count with another early season gem that included an immaculate inning in the bottom of the fourth. Cortes tentatively lines up to make his next start at home against the Guardians on Friday.

Civale (0-1) allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits and a walk over four innings Sunday, striking out five and taking the loss against San Francisco.

The Giants got on the board in the second innings with Thairo Estrada's two-run shot off Civale. The 6-foot-2 righty then allowed another pair of runs in the fourth after a throwing error. Civale has now coughed up eight runs (five earned) through 7.1 frames to begin the season. He'll look to turn things around on the road against the Yankees next week.

Urquidy (1-1) took the loss during Sunday's 7-2 defeat at the hands of the Mariners, allowing six runs on eight hits and a walk with two strikeouts in four innings.

Urquidy permitted one run in the first before surrendering five in the fourth, capped by a Ty France three-run homer. Though it's early, the 26-year-old's strikeout total is noticeably down with just four whiffs through nine innings in two starts thus far. He's set to square off against Toronto on Saturday for his next start.

Goss (shoulder) made his season debut Wednesday in Low-A Charleston's 3-1 loss to Columbia, pitching two innings and giving up a run on two hits and no walks while striking out two.

Goss was shut down for most of the 2021 season with a right shoulder impingement, though he was cleared to begin a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Florida Complex League over the final month of the campaign. The right-hander is expected to fill a starting role at Charleston this season, but expect his innings to be monitored carefully coming off the shoulder injury.

Houck disclosed to the media Sunday that he's unvaccinated against COVID-19, meaning he won't be eligible to pitch during the Red Sox's upcoming series in Toronto that runs from April 25 through 28, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports. "I'm definitely bummed that I won't be able to make that start," said Houck, who would have been in line to take the hill for the April 26 game. "But the starts that I am able to make, I plan on giving 100 percent for this team, if not more, so."

Houck didn't suggest that he planned on changing his stance on vaccination prior to the series in Toronto, and manager Alex Cora confirmed that the right-handed pitcher is one of multiple players who will be absent for the four-game set due to the vaccine mandate in place in Canada, per Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald. Alex Speier of The Boston Globe speculates that Garrett Whitlock, who tossed 2.1 scoreless innings behind Houck in the latter's most recent start Saturday against the Twins, could be stretched out enough to fill the temporary opening in the rotation in Toronto. Before missing the Toronto series, Houck tentatively lines up to make his next turn Thursday versus the Blue Jays in Boston.

Stripling is expected to remain in Toronto's starting rotation after Hyun Jin Ryu (forearm) was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Stripling made his first start of the season Friday versus the A's as a sixth starter for the Blue Jays, but he could now have a more regular role after Ryu suffered his injury Saturday. Stripling was limited to 62 pitches against Oakland but pitched well with four scoreless innings, allowing two hits with four strikeouts and zero walks. The right-hander tentatively lines up to start at Houston this Friday.

Ryu was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with left forearm inflammation, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Ryu was diagnosed with forearm soreness after giving up five runs during Saturday's start against Oakland, and he's now landed on the shelf after undergoing an MRI. It's unclear how long the 35-year-old will be sidelined, but he could be out beyond the 10-day minimum given it's an arm injury. He won't throw for several days before the team evaluates his status, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports. Ross Stripling is expected to fill his spot in the starting rotation.

Whitlock allowed two hits and a walk while striking out five over 2.1 scoreless relief innings in Saturday's 4-0 win over Minnesota.

Red Sox starter Tanner Houck worked 5.2 innings before turning it over to Matt Strahm and Whitlock. For Whitlock, all three of his outings this season have gone multiple innings. He's targeted to follow Rich Hill on days when he starts. Hill is due to start Monday, but it's unclear how many bullets Whitlock will have after throwing 30 pitches Saturday.

Means (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Sunday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Means landed on the 10-day IL on Friday with a sprained left elbow, and he'll now be sidelined for at least two months after shifting to the 60-day IL. The 28-year-old remains without an official recovery timeline, as manager Brandon Hyde said Saturday that the lefty is "not going to be on a mound for a while."