MLB Player News

Hart worked two innings out of the bullpen in Tuesday's 10-3 loss to the Braves, giving up six runs on seven hits while striking out one.

Though the Red Sox never announced Hart was removed from the rotation, his usage in relief Tuesday confirms as much. Ryan Weber received the start Tuesday in Hart's place, while Mike Kickham will join the rotation in Wednesday's series finale to fill in for the injured Nathan Eovaldi (calf).

Ray gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits with four strikeouts and one walk over 3.1 innings during Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Marlins.

The command issues that plagued the southpaw throughout the season in Arizona were nowhere to be found Tuesday, as he threw 36 of his 48 pitches for strikes and didn't walk multiple batters for the first time in 2020. Ray followed opener Julian Merryweather a day after being acquired by the Blue Jays, and the team could opt to continue with that setup based on the initial success. Ray lines up to pitch again Sunday against the Red Sox.

Valdez tossed seven innings against Texas on Tuesday, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out eight. He did not factor in the decision.

Valdez broke a four-outing string of quality starts in his previous appearance, but he started a new streak with a solid performance Tuesday. The southpaw induced 15 swinging strikes and whiffed eight batters, pushing his season strikeout total to 48 -- good for 15th in the majors. Valdez has also given up only two home runs on the campaign while posting a 2.58 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 45.1 innings. He'll face the Angels in Los Angeles on Sunday in his next scheduled start.

Lyles pitched five innings against Houston on Tuesday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two. He did not factor in the decision.

After a pair of brutal starts in which he yielded a combined 14 earned runs over eight innings, Lyles pitched behind an opener against the Astros on Tuesday. He fared notably better in the role, tossing five innings for only the third time this season and limiting Houston to three runs. It remains to be seen whether Lyles will be used as a primary pitcher again or resume his role as a traditional starter; in either case, he figures to next take the mound Sunday in Seattle.

Greinke (neck) will start Thursday's game against the Rangers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros could have given the 36-year-old an extra day of rest coming out of Saturday's doubleheader, but he'll remain on four days' rest and start Thursday's series finale. Greinke worked through a stiff neck in his last start, but it's apparently no longer a concern. The veteran has a 2.68 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 35:6 K:BB through 40.1 innings this season.

Keuchel was limited to five innings during Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Twins due to a stomach issue, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. He allowed one unearned run on seven hits with four strikeouts and two walks, and he did not factor in the decision.

The veteran southpaw was still able to reach 85 pitches Tuesday, so the illness likely only shortened the outing by an inning. There was plenty of traffic on the bases, but Keuchel escaped without allowing an earned run as he didn't give up any extra-base hits. The 32-year-old has a 2.42 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 30:12 K:BB through 48.1 innings, and he lines up to start Sunday in Kansas City, assuming the stomach issue presents no further complications.

Farrell was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday and sent to the Rangers' alternate training site.

Farrell made three appearances for the Rangers early in the season, allowing five runs in 3.1 innings of work. If he returns at some point down the stretch, it will likely be in a low-leverage role.

Turnbull is dealing with a stiff back but is expected to be fine for his start Wednesday against the Brewers, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

While the issue led to the Tigers giving Turnbull some extra rest -- he'll start for the first time in over a week -- it doesn't appear to be particularly concerning. The righty owns a 2.97 ERA through six starts this season.

Luzardo now won't start until Friday at the earliest, as the final game of the Athletics' three-game series against the Mariners was postponed Tuesday.

Luzardo had been the A's next scheduled starter when their season was put on pause Sunday due to a positive COVID-19 test within the organization. The team will wind up sitting for at least five days while conducting testing and contact tracing. It's not yet clear whether or not they'll take the field Friday against the Padres, nor is it clear if it'll be Luzardo on the mound when they eventually return.

Hill didn't factor into the decision in Monday's contest between the Twins and the White Sox. He allowed two runs on three hits and four walks while fanning two across 3.1 innings.

Hill is yet to pitch past the fifth inning this season, and the results haven't been encouraging -- he has registered more walks than strikeouts in two of his last three outings. He owns a 10:10 K:BB and 1.44 WHIP in 16 innings across four starts.