MLB Player News

Smyly will serve as a traditional starter when he pitches Friday at home against the Cardinals, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

The Rangers used reliever Jesse Chavez as an opener for Smyly the last time out, but he was unable to get through five innings (4.2 IP, 96 pitches). He's made it through five innings just once in six outings while averaging 20.9 pitches per inning. That's the highest average of the 179 pitchers who began Sunday with at least 20 innings of work.

Perez feels fine after taking a line drive off his foot during Sunday's start against Detroit and doesn't expect to miss a start, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Perez was diagnosed with a bruised left foot, but the issue shouldn't force him to miss any time. His next start lines up for Friday in Seattle, so he'll focus on getting healthy over the next few days.

Canning (1-1) allowed four runs on five hits with six strikeouts and four walks across 4.2 innings Sunday to take the loss against the Orioles.

The four walks certainly didn't help, but three home runs crushed Canning's chances of a win Sunday. While Canning struggled during his other two starts this season, neither home runs nor walks were an issue. Canning is 1-1 with a 5.65 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 19 strikeouts versus six walks in 14.1 innings this season. Canning will likely start again if Andrew Heaney (elbow) remains on the injured list next week.

Means (5-3) allowed one run on four hits with four strikeouts and three walks across six innings to earn a victory against the Angels on Sunday.

Since joining the rotation April 9, the 26-year-old has allowed more than one earned run just once in his six starts. He's pitched so well, Means has carved out a permanent role in the starting rotation. Posting a couple victories out of the bullpen as well, Means is 5-3 with a 2.33 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in 38.2 innings this season. He is scheduled to start next at the Indians on Friday.

Giolito (4-1) allowed one run on four hits with eight strikeouts and one walk across seven innings to earn a victory against the Blue Jays on Sunday.

The numbers are just beginning to show it, but Giolito has been an excellent starter over the last month. Since April 17, he has yielded four runs in 22 innings (1.64 ERA) and earned a pair of victories. He could still cut back on the walks, but Giolito has struck out 28 during that stretch. Overall, he's 4-1 with a 3.55 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 46 strikeouts in 38 innings this season. Giolito will work at home against the Blue Jays on Saturday.

Gonzales (5-2) allowed four runs (two earned) on four hits with three strikeouts and three walks during a loss to the Red Sox on Sunday.

The Red Sox scored two runs against Gonzales on a passed ball and an error in the outfield, but the Mariners were already trailing when they committed those two mistakes. Poor defense and bad run support have summarized Gonzales' last three outings since he started 5-0. In his last three starts, he is 0-2 and has allowed five unearned runs. Overall, Gonzales is 5-2 with a 3.18 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 42 strikeouts in 56.2 innings this season. He is scheduled to start next at home against the Twins on Saturday.

Snell (3-4) gave up two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out 12 through 5.2 innings taking the loss against the Yankees on Sunday.

Snell was cruising in this outing until an RBI double from Mike Tauchman and an RBI single from DJ LeMahieu in the fifth inning saddled him with his fourth loss of the season. The 26-year-old was dominant despite the loss, getting 26 swinging strikes in 5.2 innings. He has allowed two runs with a 21:2 K:BB over his last two starts. Snell will get another shot at the Yankees in his next start Sunday.

Perez exited Sunday's start against the Tigers with a left foot bruise after being hit by a line drive, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Perez was hit by a 105 mph line drive to start out the sixth inning and was removed from the game, though he was able to walk off the field under his own power. The left-hander had thrown 93 pitches, so the end of his afternoon was due shortly, regardless. Perez left the game in line for the loss, having given up three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out seven over five innings.

Eovaldi (elbow) was throwing off flat ground Sunday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

It's the third straight day Eovaldi has tested his arm in the outfield at Fenway Park as he once again began throwing from his knees before progressing to standing tosses. The 28-year-old still has a long way to go in his rehab from right elbow surgery and is likely still at least a month away from rejoining the Red Sox.

The Twins reinstated Perez from the paternity list ahead of his scheduled start Sunday against the Tigers.

Perez was away from the team for two days for the birth of his child, but didn't miss a turn through the rotation. He'll look to secure a quality start of the fifth time in six turns as he returns to the hill Sunday.