MLB Player News

Morton (5-0) racked up 10 strikeouts and allowed just an earned run on three hits, two walks and a hit batsman over six innings in a win over the Indians on Saturday.

Morton was mostly masterful throughout his six frames, firing 73 of his 106 pitches for strikes. He generated a season-high number of strikeouts in the process and and has now put together quality starts in four of his last six trips to the mound. The veteran also continues to excel at keeping the ball in the yard, with Saturday's outing serving as his fifth over the last six without allowing a home run. Morton will look to add another chapter to his stellar season when he next takes the hill against the Twins on Thursday.

The Rays transferred Glasnow (forearm) to the 60-day injured list Sunday, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

After Glasnow exited his May 10 start with a forearm strain that resulted in his placement on the 10-day injured list a day later, the Rays estimated that he would require 4-to-6 weeks to make a full recovery from the setback. Though recent reports suggested Glasnow was progressing as anticipated, the Rays' decision to move him to the 60-day IL implies that the 4-to-6-week estimate may have been overly optimistic. Glasnow now won't be eligible to return until at least July 10, leaving the Rays without one of their top arms through the All-Star break.

Kikuchi (3-2) took the loss Saturday as the Mariners were downed 6-5 by the A's, giving up five runs (four earned) on 10 hits and a walk over 3.1 innings while striking out one.

Aside from his one-inning outing when he was intentionally used as an opener April 26, this was the shortest start of Kikuchi's North American career to date. The southpaw threw 45 of 74 pitches for strikes, and Oakland got runners into scoring position in every inning until Kikuchi got the hook. He'll carry a 3.82 ERA and 50:15 K:BB through 63.2 innings into his next outing Thursday, at home against the Angels.

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Cease could be up in the majors around the All-Star break, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

When asked about using Cease in a spot start to replace Manny Banuelos earlier this week, Hahn expressed patience with the talented right-hander. "Putting yourself in position to win one specific game at the expense of the longer-term development of a player you feel has a chance to be a premium guy doesn't make a lot of sense to us right now," said the general manager. Cease won his most recent start Thursday, allowing one run while striking out seven in six innings, the third start in the last four he's lasted six innings. The 23-year-old is 4-1 with a 3.38 ERA over 40 innings at Triple-A Charlotte. "Dylan is doing a real nice job building in Triple-A, and you've seen how offensive Triple-A has become - it makes what he's done there more impressive," Hahn added.

Eovaldi (elbow) threw a successful bullpen session Saturday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Eovaldi underwent surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow in late April. His next step will be either a simulated game or a rehab assignment. His initial six-week timeline would have him returning in the first week of June, though he may be slightly behind that schedule if he requires multiple rehab outings.

Gibson (5-2) earned the win against the White Sox on Saturday by allowing one run on five hits over seven innings. He struck out nine and walked one.

Gibson's only hiccup of the day came during the fourth inning, when Jose Abreu connected for a solo home run. The 31-year-old has now won five of his last seven starts and has walked just six batters in 42.2 innings over that span. Gibson has a 4.08 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 60:14 K:BB and lines up to face the Rays on the road on Friday.

Bielak was promoted to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The 23-year-old recorded a 3.75 ERA in 36 innings for Double-A Corpus Christi to start the season after posting a 2.35 ERA in 61.1 frames at the same level last season. Bielak profiles as a future backend starter with an average fastball, above-average command and two quality breaking balls (a slider and a curve).

Smyly (1-3) lasted six innings Friday against the Angels, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks while striking out four to pick up the win.

Smyly turned in a quality start with a season-long six innings to pick up his first win since 2016. The left-hander, who missed two years due to Tommy John surgery, proved he still has something to offer on the mound, hurling a quality start at Angel Stadium. He'll look to continue improving his 6.15 ERA and 1.69 WHIP against the Mariners on Wednesday.

Canning (2-1) limited the Rangers to one run on three hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings in a no-decision Friday.

Coming off the best start of his career, Canning pieced together another strong performance, holding the Rangers to one run in the form of a homer to Shin-Soo Choo to lead off the contest. Although Canning left the game with a two-run lead, the Angels' bullpen came up short and could not complete the win. Canning's efficiency could use some work, as it took him 95 pitches to make it through five innings. Even still, the 23-year-old should hold down a spot in the rotation. He'll carry a 3.42 ERA and 1.06 WHIP into a Wednesday matchup in Oakland.

Means pitched five innings Friday, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks. He struck out four and did not factor in the decision.

Means left with a lead after his five innings, but the Rockies rallied with three homers over the final three innings against the Orioles bullpen, robbing the left-hander of a win. Means' ERA rose to 2.96, and he has 38 strikeouts over 48.2 innings this year, splitting time between the rotation and the bullpen in his 12 appearances (eight starts).