MLB Player News

Morton (shoulder) felt good during a throwing session Friday and could throw a bullpen Saturday or Sunday at the team's alternate training site in Port Charlotte, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The right-hander was placed on the injured list with shoulder inflammation Monday, but he appears to be making steady progress. Morton was already throwing from 120 feet by Thursday, and manager Kevin Cash mentioned Friday that Morton gave him the "thumbs up" with regards to his latest session. The 30-year-old could potentially be activated when first eligible Thursday if he continues trending in the right direction.

Clevinger was reinstated from the restricted list and optioned to Cleveland's alternate training site Friday.

The move is a disciplinary one, as Clevinger and teammate Zach Plesac had previously been placed on the restricted list after the pair went out with friends in violation of the league's health and safety protocols last week. Both were optioned Friday, and it's not clear when either is expected to return to the team.

Luzardo will start Friday against the Giants after Frankie Montas was scratched with a tight upper back.

Luzardo had been expected to start Saturday's game, though he'll be on full rest Friday, as his previous start came on Sunday. He's looked quite good through 17.1 innings this season, posting a 2.60 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP.

Montas was scratched from his scheduled start Friday against the Giants due to upper-back tightness.

The severity of the injury is not yet clear. Montas has been excellent in his first four starts this season, posting a 1.57 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. Jesus Luzardo, who had been expected to start Saturday, will start Friday in his place.

Means (not injury related) could start Sunday against the Nationals, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Means was placed on the bereavement list last week and subsequently moved to the injured list while going through intake testing protocols. He allowed six runs on just four hits in seven innings of work in his first two starts of the year.

Sandoval is slated to start Friday's home game against the Dodgers.

Sandoval was called up from the Angels' alternate site last weekend and turned in a strong start against the Rangers, working six innings and giving up two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out four. The outing was enough for manager Joe Maddon to give Sandoval a second turn through the rotation, with the Angels moving Matt Andriese to the bullpen to open up the fifth starter's spot for the young lefty.

Manager Kevin Cash said Thursday that Chirinos's (triceps) bullpen session went well, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

This is fantastic news for a Rays team that is also currently without Charlie Morton (shoulder). It's not entirely clear when Chirinos will be activated, but given his successful bullpen session, it would not be surprising to see the right-hander start a game for Tampa Bay within the next week. Chirinos has allowed just one earned run in 8.2 innings pitched over two starts this season.

Perez will start Monday's game against the Yankees, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Perez was originally scheduled to start Sunday but he will be given an additional day of rest after taking the loss in Tuesday's outing against Tampa Bay. The lefty is 2-2 with a 3.38 ERA on the campaign. The Red Sox have not announced a starter for Sunday's tilt.

Glasnow allowed five earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out eight across four innings Thursday against the Red Sox. He did not factor into the decision.

Glasnow was given 10 runs to support his endeavor to earn his first win, but he failed to pitch efficiently enough to qualify. Positively, he kept the ball in the yard and racked up strikeouts. However, he surrendered five extra-base hits and regularly worked deep into counts while running up his pitch count. Glasnow has an incredible 15.9 K/9 through 15.1 innings this season, but that has been offset by a 5.9 BB/9 and 1.8 HR/9. He has also yet to complete five innings of work in any of his four outings, but he'll look to change that his next time through the rotation Tuesday at the Yankees.

Hart (0-1) allowed seven runs (five earned) on seven hits and three walks while striking out four across two innings to take the loss Thursday against the Rays.

Hart made his major-league debut, though the results were not good. After allowing two runs in the first inning, he settled down to record a scoreless second inning. However, things deteriorated quickly in the third frame as he allowed the first six batters he faced to reach base, including a walk, two home runs, a double and two singles. The Red Sox continue to seek effective starting pitching, and it remains to be seen if Hart will get another turn through the rotation.