MLB Player News

Means (3-3) threw five innings Monday, yielding four runs on six hits and a walk while taking a loss to the White Sox. He struck out two batters and allowed two homers.

Means hadn't allowed more than one run in any of his seven appearances (three starts) prior to Monday's outing. He allowed two-run home runs in the second and third innings to Yonder Alonso and Tim Anderson. The 26-year-old's ERA bounced to 2.81 in 25.2 innings this season. Assuming he makes his next start in the rotation, Means will face the Rays on Sunday.

Rodriguez didn't factor into the decision in Monday's 9-4 win over the A's, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.2 innings while striking out seven.

The left-hander couldn't quite qualify for his third win of the year, throwing 63 of 97 pitches for strikes before getting the hook with two runners aboard in the fifth inning and the Red Sox trying to protect a 6-4 lead. Rodriguez will carry a 6.16 ERA and 35:12 K:BB through 30.2 innings into his next start Saturday, on the road against the White Sox.

Montas (4-2) took the loss Monday as the A's were downed 9-4 by the Red Sox, giving up seven runs (only one earned) on eight hits and two walks over 4.1 innings while striking out four.

Boston did most of its damage in the third inning, scoring six runs after a Jurickson Profar throwing error botched what might have been an inning-ending double play -- after which Montas committed his own error to load the bases and tee up the Red Sox rally. The shoddy defense at least saved the right-hander's ERA, and Montas will take a 2.97 mark and 30:10 K:BB through 33.1 innings into his next start Sunday in Pittsburgh.

Mize tossed a complete-game no-hitter for Double-A Erie on Thursday, allowing just one walk and striking out seven in a 1-0 win. He threw 70 of 98 pitches for strikes.

Talk about making a splash at a new level. Mize was promoted from High-A to Double-A on Thursday, and he wasted no time proving he was ready for the bump up in competition. The 2018 No. 1 pick breezed through the Florida State League, allowing just one run on seven hits and one walk over 26 innings, and it looks like he could do the same in the Eastern League. Mize is one of the top pitching prospects in the game, and he appears to be on a fast track to the majors.

Chirinos (4-0) got the win against the Royals on Monday, striking out four and walking one while scattering two hits and giving up four runs (two earned) over 5.2 innings in the Rays' 8-5 victory.

Chirinos didn't start as the Rays opted to deploy Ryne Stanek as an opener, but he ended up taking the majority of the workload after entering the game, tossing 73 pitches and nabbing his fourth win of the season. He's putting up good numbers regardless of his role so far this year, as the 25-year-old now sports a solid 3.48 ERA, a 0.84 WHIP and a 26:6 K:BB through 31 innings.

Keller (2-3) took the loss against the Rays on Monday, giving up five earned runs on six hits over five innings, striking out one and walking three as the Royals fell 8-5.

It was a rough outing for the right-hander, who gave up four of his five runs in the first two frames before exiting the contest after five innings and 92 pitches. He'll take a 4.07 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP into his next start, which will see him take on the Tigers in a road matchup on Saturday.

Verlander (4-1) yielded one run on two hits and two walks in six innings Monday, taking the loss against the Twins. He struck out seven batters and allowed a home run.

It was Verlander's first loss of the year despite only allowing one run on a third-inning solo shot from Ehire Adrianza. Still, he lowered his ERA to a terrific 2.45 in 44 innings alongside a 53:11 K:BB. His fastball velocity is down a touch this year, but he has the stuff to work around the slight dip. Verlander will look for his fifth win Sunday against the Angels.

Odorizzi (3-2) tossed seven scoreless innings Monday, striking out seven batters while allowing four hits and a walk and earning the win over Houston.

Odorizzi was locked in all night against the visiting Astros, allowing just one hit and a walk after the second inning. He needed just 86 pitches on the night, the fewest he's thrown during his three-start winning streak. He'll carry a 3.34 ERA into Saturday's tilt against the Yankees.

Giolito (hamstring) felt good after a 50-pitch bullpen session Monday.

Giolito left his previous start April 17 against the Royals with left hamstring tightness, but his stay on the injured list appears unlikely to last much longer than the minimum 10 days. He's already eligible to return, though the White Sox have yet to announce when he'll be activated.

Keller has been reinstated after serving a five-game suspension and is scheduled to start Monday's series opener with the Royals.

Keller dropped his appeal last week during an advantageous portion of the Royals' schedule that allowed the team to temporarily get by with a four-man rotation. His return thus brings the Royals back to five starters while lining the right-hander up for two turns this week. Keller is on tap to receive a second start during the upcoming weekend in Detroit.