MLB Player News

Hill (illness) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Saturday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Hill was dealing with side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine Friday, but he was able to return from the injured list after just one day. The southpaw will likely be available to make his next start, and he tentatively lines up to start Sunday. Right-hander Trevor Richards was sent down in a corresponding move.

Bubic was recalled from the Royals' alternate training site Saturday.

Bubic was sent to the alternate training site in mid-March after he posted an 8.59 ERA and 2.45 WHIP in 7.1 innings this spring. The left-hander made 10 starts for Kansas City in 2020 and recorded a 4.32 ERA and 49:22 K:BB in 50 innings. While Bubic could fill in as a starter if Brady Singer (heel) misses time, he'll likely be available as a reliever in the immediate future.

Lynn (back) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start against Cleveland on Saturday.

Lynn had been on the injured list due to a strained right trapezius since April 18, but he'll return to the mound at home against Cleveland on Saturday. The right-hander made three starts prior to his injury and posted a 0.92 ERA and 0.92 WHIP with 27 strikeouts in 19.2 innings.

Arihara exhibited diminished velocity during Friday's start, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Texas coaches entered Friday's contest concerned that Arihara was tipping pitches and are now worry about reduced velocity. He recorded just one swing-and-miss among his 55 pitches. "The speed on the split is like way lower," manager Chris Woodward said after the game. "So it's just, I don't know. I don't know if there's something. We asked him. He said he felt fine. I don't know if it's the four days rest. It's something we're going to have to address." The right-hander has allowed 11 runs and five home runs in 4.2 innings over his last two starts. Meanwhile, the Rangers got 4.1 scoreless innings out of reliever Hyeon-Jong Yang, who has shined in two bullpen-saving relief appearances this week. Woodward confirmed that Yang is being evaluated for a spot in the rotation, presumably as a replacement for Arihara.

Flexen did not factor in the decision versus the Angels on Friday, tossing four innings and allowing three runs on four hits and one walk. He did not strike out any batters.

The Seattle offense provided plenty of run support for the right-hander, but he needed 87 pitches to get through four frames and didn't come out for the fifth despite being staked to a 4-3 lead. Flexen entered the contest having pitched two consecutive quality starts, so Friday's outing was certainly disappointing from an individual standpoint. The 26-year-old has mixed three outstanding starts with two poor ones through five appearances, which has resulted in an overall 2.74 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB across 23 innings. His next start could come at home against Baltimore.

Heaney (1-2) took the loss against Seattle on Friday, pitching 3.1 innings and allowing four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five.

The right-hander came into the contest riding a strong three-game stretch during which he allowed only three earned runs over 17.2 frames. Seattle put an end to the string of excellent starts, swatting three homers off Heaney and putting up four runs. The hurler needed 90 pitches to record 10 outs, and he left following a Tom Murphy long ball with one out in the fourth inning. A pair of blowups early in the campaign has elevated Heaney's ERA to 5.25, though he has posted an excellent 34:9 K:BB across 24 frames. His next start is tentatively scheduled for Thursday at home against Tampa Bay.

Means (3-0) allowed two earned runs on three hits and one walk while striking out nine across seven innings to earn the win over the Athletics on Friday.

Means hasn't lost a game yet this season over six starts. He gave another dominant performance Friday tallying nine punchouts in seven innings. Both of his runs allowed were solo home runs by Sean Murphy and Mitch Moreland. The long ball has troubled Means at times in the young season, but he doesn't allow many baserunners with a 0.84 WHIP. The 28-year-old supports a 1.70 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 37 innings.

Ray (1-1) picked up the win in Friday's 13-5 victory over Atlanta, allowing two runs on five hits over 6.2 innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The lefty took a shutout into the seventh inning before an Ozzie Albies homer helped end Ray's night. It was still an outstanding performance from the 29-year-old, who tossed 68 of 95 pitches for strikes as he delivered his second straight quality start, and Ray will take a 2.78 ERA and 20:9 K:BB through 22.2 innings into his next outing, likely to come next week in Oakland.

McCullers (2-1) picked up the win Friday, allowing three hits and three walks over seven scoreless innings in a 9-2 victory over the Rays, He struck out nine.

The nine strikeouts were a season high for the right-hander, who tossed 111 pitches (72 strikes) en route to his second straight quality start. McCullers will take a 3.38 ERA and 30:14 K:BB through 26.2 innings into his next outing, likely to come on the road next week against the Yankees.

Arihara (2-3) yielded six runs on four hits and two walks over 2.2 innings Friday, striking out one batter and taking a loss against Boston. He allowed four home runs.

Boston jumped on Arihara right out of the gate with J.D. Martinez knocking a three-run blast and Xander Bogaerts following up with a solo shot before an out was recorded. The 28-year-old then served up solo homers to Martinez and Rafael Devers in the third. After a promising start to his MLB career, Arihara has been hammered for 11 runs and five home runs in just 4.2 innings over his last two outings. He'll carry a 5.76 ERA into next week's projected start in Minnesota.