MLB Player News

Wells (1-0) pitched three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out two to earn the win Wednesday versus Minnesota.

Matt Harvey started the game on short rest and pitched three innings before Wells entered the game. Wells got help from Baltimore's offense, as DJ Stewart hit a go-ahead two-run home run. The win was the right-hander's first decision at the major-league level. He's posted a 4.81 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 29:8 K:BB across 24.1 innings. Wells will likely continue to see low-leverage assignments, as Wednesday was just the fifth time in 14 outings he's kept runs off the board.

Valdez (1-0) allowed one earned run on five hits and two walks while striking out 10 across seven innings, earning the win over the Red Sox on Wednesday,

Valdez struggled in the first inning, allowing two singles and walking in a run. However, he settled in delivering six scoreless innings on just three singles. This was a great start for the 27-year-old, who has pitched just 11 innings this season after missing extended time with a fractured finger. He has 14 strikeouts and a 1.64 ERA through two starts. He'll get another go at Boston's lineup Tuesday.

McClanahan (2-1) allowed four earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six across 3.1 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Yankees.

McClanahan ran into trouble early in the game when he surrendered a two-run homer to the fourth batter he faced in the opening frame. He ran into trouble again two innings later, and he ultimately exited the game with one out in the fourth inning with the bases loaded. McClanahan had shown the ability to work deeper into games prior to this start, as he recorded at least 15 outs in each of his last three outings. Now 30.2 innings into his major-league career, McClanahan has a 4.11 ERA with 38 strikeouts and nine walks.

Montgomery (3-1) allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out six across 6.1 innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Rays.

Montgomery held the Rays in check throughout his start, which was highlighted by eight groundball outs to supplement his six strikeouts. He allowed only one extra-base hit to limit the potential damage against him, though he was let down by his defense on a couple of occasions. Even so, Montgomery turned in his second-longest outing of the season, and he has now completed at least six frames in six of his 11 starts. Overall, Montgomery has maintained a 3.92 ERA with 59 strikeouts across 59.2 innings.

Dunn was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to right shoulder inflammation.

Dunn presumably suffered the injury during his 5.2-inning, eight-strikeout effort Saturday against the Rangers. Arguably the Mariners' best starter this season, he has a 3.18 ERA and hasn't allowed more than three runs in a start. Robert Dugger was recalled to replace Dunn on the active roster.

Allard is joining the starting rotation and will start Saturday against the Rays, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The 23-year-old replaces fellow southpaw Hyeon-jong Yang in the rotation after the latter recorded another short, unimpressive start May 30. Allard made a spot start May 27, yielding two runs (both on homers) in four innings. He struggled as a starter in 2020, posting an 8.80 ERA in eight outings.

Sale (elbow) threw 20 pitches off the mound Wednesday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

According to manager Alex Cora, Sale threw mostly fastballs and changeups. He also mixed in three sliders, only one of which was on target. An early-to-mid-summer return timeline remains feasible for Sale, but he'll certainly need to regain his signature slider before progressing further and beginning rehab assignments.

Cleveland optioned McKenzie to Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday.

For the second time in less than a week, McKenzie was optioned to the minors immediately after making a start. In his latest outing in Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader with the White Sox, McKenzie struck out a season-high 10 batters, but he was still tagged for five runs on four hits and two walks over 5.1 innings in a no-decision. Unless Cleveland places a player on the injured list in a corresponding move, McKenzie won't be eligible to rejoin the big club until the latter half of next week. After a rainout Wednesday, Cleveland has off days June 3, June 7 and June 10, so the club may choose to get by with a four-man rotation sans McKenzie until June 15.

McCullers (shoulder) felt "great" after throwing a side session Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The 27-year-old resumed throwing over the weekend, and manager Dusty Baker is hopeful that the McCullers will be able to rejoin the Astros' rotation in mid-June. Baker said that the right-hander will throw in a simulated game during the team's upcoming road trip, and he could potentially progress to a rehab assignment afterward.

Maeda (arm/groin) completed a long-toss session Tuesday and could throw a bullpen session in Kansas City this weekend, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

A right adductor strain initially landed Maeda on the injured list May 23, but a sore right arm seems to be the greater concern at the moment for the 33-year-old. The latter injury resulted in Maeda being barred from throwing over the past few days, but he's since gained clearance to start ramping up. The Twins will see how he fares in his upcoming side session before deciding whether to send Maeda out on a minor-league rehab assignment or to have him build up through simulated games prior to being activated from the IL. Regardless of what route the Twins go, Maeda is likely more than a week away from rejoining the active roster.