MLB Player News

General manager Rick Hahn said Monday that the White Sox won't "rush" Cease to the big leagues, but noted the right-hander is "not too far away" from receiving a promotion from Triple-A Charlotte, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Service-time concerns are probably the main reason why Cease has yet to make his MLB debut, as the White Sox have already lost a key rotation piece in Carlos Rodon (elbow) for the season and own the sixth-worst starters' ERA (5.36 ERA) in baseball, despite Lucas Giolito's emergence as a bona fide ace. Cease has stumbled a bit over his last few turns at Triple-A, but his 4.10 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 59:22 K:BB in 52.2 innings are still largely impressive after factoring in the enhanced power environment in the International League this season. Before giving Cease a long-awaited promotion, the White Sox may want to see him bounce back from his worst outing of the season Sunday, when he failed to escape the first inning while yielding two hits and three walks.

Rodriguez blanked Low-A West Virginia over four innings in his start Monday for Delmarva. He struck out six and scattered three walks, one hit and two hit batsmen.

Rodriguez wasn't especially efficient in the outing -- he needed 93 pitches to record 12 outs -- but his performance was encouraging nonetheless after he was blasted for a season-high seven runs in his previous turn June 4. Even with that rough start factored in, Rodriguez sports a 2.42 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and .177 opponent batting average across 52 innings this season. The 19-year-old has thus far justified the Orioles' decision to select him in the first round of the 2018 first-year player draft.

Canning threw six innings in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Monday, giving up three earned runs on five hits, striking out five and walking none in a 5-3 victory for the Angels.

Canning tossed a quality start for the third time in his last five outings, but would have to settle for a no-decision after exiting with the Angels down 3-1. The rookie has been impressive overall this season after a rough start, as he's sporting a solid 3.65 ERA, a 0.99 WHIP and a 47:10 K:BB through 44.1 innings. He lines up to take on the Rays next on the road on Sunday.

Despaigne (0-1) took the loss against the Nationals on Monday, giving up three earned runs on seven hits over six innings, striking out two and walking two as the White Sox fell 12-1.

Making his first start of the season after getting called up from Triple-A Charlotte, Despaigne turned in a quality start, but wound up taking the loss as he received just one run of support and his bullpen was shelled for nine earned runs. He could stay in the rotation for the moment, but Despaigne's 4.94 ERA over 349.2 career big-league innings makes it doubtful he'll become a consistent fantasy contributor.

Sale gave up one run (none earned) on three hits and one walk while striking out 10 through seven innings in a no-decision against the Rangers on Monday.

Sale posted double-digit strikeouts in this start for the seventh time on the campaign and turned in another dominant performance. The 30-year-old is on an impressive run over his last nine starts, posting a 2.18 ERA and a 14.6 K/9. Sale will look to keep rolling in his next start Saturday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Morton (8-0) allowed two hits and two walks while firing seven scoreless innings Monday, striking out seven batters and earning the win over the Athletics.

The 35-year-old right-hander has been an absolute stud this season, especially in June. In two starts this month, Morton has tossed 14 shutout innings with a 15:2 K:BB. His season ERA is down to a wonderful 2.10 across 81.1 frames. He'll aim for a 9-0 start to the year against the visiting Angels on Saturday.

Gil tossed seven scoreless innings for Low-A Charleston on Monday, giving up three hits while logging 10 strikeouts and one walk.

Matched up with a dominant Dallas Keuchel, Gil went toe-to-toe with the 2015 Cy Young winner, posting double-digit strikeouts while needing just 86 pitches to make it through seven innings. The 21-year-old continues to light it up for the RiverDogs, as this performance leaves him with a 1.81 ERA and a 73:25 K:BB through 54.2 innings, so his case for a promotion is strengthening by the day.

Paxton will start Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Mets, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Masahiro Tanaka will get the ball for Game 1 of Tuesday's twin bill, with Paxton starting Game 2. The big southpaw is looking to get back on track after allowing four runs (three earned) across 4.2 innings in his most recent start against the Blue Jays on Wednesday.

German (hip) will receive a cortisone injection Tuesday, Coley Harvey of ESPN.com reports.

German received good news from his MRI on Monday, and the hope is that the right-hander will be able to continue throwing on the side if he responds well to Tuesday's injection. Look for an updated timetable for his return to emerge once he's able to resume mound work.

Manager Aaron Boone said Monday that German's (hip) MRI looked good, though the tests are still being examined by team doctors, Coley Harvey of ESPN.com reports.

German was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a strained left hip flexor, an injury he had been pitching through since May 26 in Kansas City. The initial prognosis appears promising, but the pitcher's return timeline remains unclear.