MLB Player News

Whitlock (pectoral) was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Per Bill Koch of The Providence Journal, manager Alex Cora maintained that the pectoral injury isn't thought to be serious, but that the Red Sox "don't feel he's going to be ready in the upcoming days." The move to the IL can be backdated to Monday, so Whitlock will become eligible to be reinstated Sept. 30 against Baltimore. If he progresses as he hopes, the right-hander stands a strong chance to rejoin the Boston bullpen for the last four games of the regular season. Ryan Brasier was recalled from Triple-A Worcester to take his spot on the 28-man roster.

The Rangers list Dunning as their starting pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Yankees.

Dunning will be picking up his first start since Aug. 20, after he spent about two and a half weeks on the COVID-19 injured list before returning in a relief role once he was activated Sept. 10. Because Dunning didn't get fully stretched out for starting duty during the idle period, the Rangers have been having him build up his pitch count over his two appearances out of the bullpen. In his most recent outing Sept. 15, Dunning covered two innings (43 pitches), so he likely won't be asked to work deep into Tuesday's start. Glenn Otto could be an option to piggyback Dunning, if the Rangers elect to go that route.

Rodon (arm) is expected to make his next start Sept. 29 against the Reds, Maddie Lee of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Rodon is having an excellent season, striking out 35.1 percent of opposing batters en route to a 2.47 ERA and 0.97 WHIP across 23 starts. He's being handled very cautiously down the stretch as the White Sox try to keep him healthy for the playoffs, getting eight and nine days of rest prior to his previous two starts. He exited his start Monday against the Tigers after just three innings due to left arm soreness, and it looks as though the White Sox will give him a similar length of time off before his next trip to the mound. That means he'll make at most one more start before the end of the regular season.

McKenzie (5-7) took the loss in the first game of Monday's doubleheader against the Royals, surrendering seven runs on nine hits -- including three home runs -- and a walk over 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander couldn't keep the ball in the park and couldn't keep the bases clear before he did, serving up two-run shots in the second, third and fifth innings before getting the hook. McKenzie saw his streak of seven straight quality starts end with a thud, but even with Monday's brutal outing, the 24-year-old sports a 2.86 ERA, 0.70 WHIP and 52:6 K:BB through 50.1 innings since the beginning of August.

Anderson (7-9) earned the win Monday against the Athletics after tossing seven innings of one-run ball, allowing four hits and a walk while fanning seven.

Anderson matched his season-best output in strikeouts while also allowing just one run for the second straight start, and he seems to be gearing up for a strong end of the regular season. He has allowed three or fewer runs in eight of his nine appearances since the beginning of August, posting a 3.20 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in that span.

Singer (5-10) picked up the win in the first game of Monday's doubleheader sweep of Cleveland, allowing one run on six hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out seven.

The right-hander went the distance in his return from the COVID-19 list while recording his fourth quality start in his last six outings. Singer has a 2.97 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 37:12 K:BB through 36.1 innings over that stretch, striking out at least five batters in all six trips to the mound, and only a 1.5 HR/9 prevented him from putting up even better ratios. The 2018 first-round pick appears to be settling in after a bumpy beginning to his big-league career, making him an intriguing sleeper for 2022.

Valdez (11-5) earned the win Monday against the Angels after tossing seven scoreless innings, allowing six hits and three walks while fanning six.

Valdez was coming off two straight outings in which he allowed four earned runs in each, but he bounced back admirably here and delivered his fifth quality start over eight appearances since the beginning of August. The southpaw owns a 3.16 ERA across 51.1 innings in that span.

Baz (1-0) allowed two runs on two hits while striking out five over five innings as he got the win over the Blue Jays on Monday in his MLB debut.

Baz allowed just two hits to the high-powered Blue Jays offense. However, both of them left the yard for home runs. Teoscar Hernandez connected on a fastball in the second and then Lourdes Gurriel turned on a slider in the fifth. The 22-year-old appeared to fit the part as one of baseball's top pitching prospects, showcasing excellent command with a great arsenal of pitches. Baz has a real shot to become a fantasy ace in the coming years, but for now, managers should temper their expectations with the Astros as the team he's projected to face his next time out.

Ray (12-6) allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five over 4.2 innings Monday as he took the loss to the Rays.

Things were going smoothly for Ray until the fifth inning when he allowed a three-run home run to Yandy Diaz to give the Rays a 3-2 lead. Ray stayed in for two more batters after the long ball and then was pulled after surrendering a double to Randy Arozarena at 97 pitches. It was the second time Ray's failed to reach five innings over his last three starts, but it was just his first loss since July 21. The 2021 Cy Young candidate now has a 2.72 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 238:45 K:BB over 182 innings and will have a good opportunity to bounce back against the Twins over the weekend.

Cortes allowed three runs on five hits and two walks over 4.1 innings in Monday's win over Texas. He struck out seven and did not factor in the decision.

Cortes snuck out of a two-on, no-out jam in the first inning and was then in total control through four scoreless frames. He allowed two runs in the fifth, including a solo home run by Charlie Culberson, and was charged with a third run after Chad Green gave up an RBI sacrifice fly later in the frame. Cortes has allowed at least one home run in nine consecutive appearances but has yielded three or fewer runs in seven straight. The 26-year-old lefty will carry a 2.79 ERA into his projected start in Boston this weekend.