MLB Player News

Giolito (abdomen) confirmed Wednesday that he expects to be activated from the 10-day injured list to start Sunday's game in Minnesota, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. "It went pretty well. I felt healthy," Giolito told LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune, after he completed a simulated game in Arizona on Tuesday. "That was the goal. Feel good, feel healthy...get a nice number of pitches in, I think it was like 50-something. And be ready for rejoining the rotation and hoping to make a good impact going forward."

Manager Tony La Russa suggested Tuesday that Giolito appeared on track to return from the IL this weekend, and the right-hander's comments offer further confirmation that he'll be rejoining the big club in Minnesota. Since Giolito noted that he tossed around 50 pitches in his simulated game, the White Sox aren't likely to extend him beyond 70-to-80 pitches while he continues to build up. That still may be a long enough of a leash for Giolito to bring value for fantasy managers in the ratio categories. Before exiting his season-opening start April 8 against the Tigers due to the abdominal injury, he struck out six and allowed three baserunners over four scoreless innings.

Quantrill was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Since Quantrill was placed on the COVID-19 IL, he'll be able to return as soon as he clears the league's testing protocols. Kirk McCarty, Tanner Tully and Enyel De Los Santos had their contracts selected Wednesday, and one of them could start if Quantrill misses a turn in the rotation.

Irvin didn't factor into the decision during Tuesday's 2-1 win over Baltimore, allowing one run on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts in five innings.

Irving and Orioles starter Chris Ellis engaged in a low-scoring affair with Irvin's lone run allowed in the first inning putting him on the hook for the loss until Oakland scored two in the sixth. The 28-year-old has pitched well enough in his last two starts -- allowing four runs in 11.1 total innings -- but he lacks the strikeout upside to truly make an impact with a career 6.3 K/9 mark. He's tentatively scheduled to take the mound against Texas on Sunday for his next start.

Gray (0-1) took the loss during Tuesday's 6-2 defeat at the hands of the Mariners, allowing four runs on three hits and a walk with four strikeouts in five innings.

Making his first start since Opening Day due to a blister, Gray put himself in an early hole by surrendering a Eugenio Suarez three-run home in the first following a HBP and walk. While it was mostly smooth sailing from there, the early deficit proved too steep for Texas to overcome. The 30-year-old has a high 7.00 ERA through two starts and has failed to surpass five innings or four strikeouts in either appearance. He's currently scheduled to face off against Oakland on Sunday.

Schmidt (1-2) earned the win Tuesday against the Tigers after allowing two hits with six strikeouts and one walk across 3.1 scoreless innings.

The 26-year-old picked up the loss in both of his previous appearances despite giving up only one earned run, but he secured his first victory of 2022 on Tuesday after starter Gerrit Cole failed to make it through two innings. Schmidt will be unavailable for a few days after throwing 54 pitches, but he should continue to be a multi-inning option out of the bullpen for manager Aaron Boone.

Ray (2-1) picked up the win during Tuesday's 6-2 victory over Texas, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk with four strikeouts in six innings.

Seattle jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after the first inning and Ray cruised from there, permitting single runs in the third and seventh innings and requiring just 85 pitches. It was a nice rebound from his last start, a six-run outing against the White Sox. The 30-year-old has now gone at least six innings in each of his three turns. He's tentatively slated to pitch again Sunday against Kansas City.

Cole didn't factor in the decision Tuesday at Detroit after giving up two runs on one hit with five walks and three strikeouts over 1.2 innings.

The right-hander never found the zone Tuesday and delivered only 37 of his 68 pitches for strikes, resulting in the shortest start of his major-league career. It was a disastrous outing for Cole, and he ended up walking five of the 11 batters he faced, four of which came during the second frame. The 31-year-old lines up to pitch Sunday versus the Guardians and is in dire need of a standout performance with a 6.35 ERA through three starts this year.

Valdez (1-1) took the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits and four walks with three strikeouts in 4.1 innings in Tuesday's 7-2 loss against the Angels.

Valdez allowed runs in the second and fourth innings but was able to limit the damage thanks to a double-play and an outfield assist. He retired Shohei Ohtani to start the fifth but then gave up four consecutive singles and was replaced. Since an excellent Opening Day start, the 28-year-old has struggled over his last two starts, allowing 20 baserunners and seven runs in just 7.1 innings.

Sandoval struck out five in four innings, allowing one unearned run on four hits and two walks in a 7-2 win Tuesday in Houston. He did not factor into the decision.

Sandoval got through the first two innings on just 26 pitches but needed 59 pitches to get through the next two frames. Despite his inefficiency, the lefty managed to pitch out of trouble and left the game with a 7-1 lead. In both of his starts this season he has pitched four innings and allowed one unearned run. With the Angels currently using six starters, his next scheduled start is tentatively lined up for Monday against Cleveland.

Kikuchi tossed five innings of one-run ball, surrendering three hits while walking three batters and striking out three in Tuesday's loss to the Red Sox. He did not factor into the decision.

The only blemish on Kikuchi's line came in the bottom of the third inning when Enrique Hernandez scored on a Trevor Story double. Overall, the 30-year-old has a 0-1 record and has allowed three runs while striking out five batters over 8.1 innings this season. Kikuchi will look to get his first win of the 2022 campaign when the Blue Jays take on the Astros in Houston on Sunday.