MLB Player News

Sale's next start is slated for Tuesday against Toronto, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Boston will buy Sale a few extra days of rest by deploying a sixth starter in Sunday's series finale with Arizona. He's in line to take the hill for Tuesday's home opener after a rough start to the 2019 campaign (8.00 ERA over nine innings).

Mize tossed five scoreless innings and allowed a single hit in his season debut Thursday with High-A Lakeland. He struck out eight.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft, Mize looked brilliant in his first start of 2019. The 21-year-old was limited to just 68 pitches, 47 of which he threw for strikes, but he should ramp that number up in future outings. Mize made four starts at High-A last season and will likely get a little more time there in 2019, though as a fairly advanced prospect who spent three years in college, he could climb the ladder in short order.

Springs (1-0) allowed one run on two hits and three walks while striking out three over 2.1 innings to earn his first win of the season Thursday against the Angels.

He relieved a laboring Edinson Volquez in the fourth inning with the Rangers up 6-2, and coasted to a win after his teammates put up three more runs in the fifth. Springs is one of a few bullpen members capable of pitching multiple innings in the event a starter can't get deep -- this was the fourth relief win already for the 5-2 Rangers. Starters have pitched into the fifth inning only twice in seven games, but the offense (6.4 runs per game) has carried Texas to its early-season success, potentially giving long relief arms like Springs extra fantasy appeal if they continue vulturing their way into the win column.

Bassitt (lower leg) fired three perfect innings in High-A Stockton's win over Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday, recording seven strikeouts.

As his final line implies, Bassitt was efficient and sharp, firing 30 of 47 pitches for strikes. The veteran right-hander's success isn't overly surprising considering the lower level of competition, but the overriding takeaway is that he seems to be on the precipice of activation. It remains to be seen if Bassitt will require at least one more minor-league outing, considering Thursday's included a solid workload.

Rodriguez (0-2) allowed six earned runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out two across 3.2 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Athletics.

Rodriguez was staked to a 3-0 lead but allowed a three-run home run to Stephen Piscotty in the third inning and was hit hard again in the fourth frame. Though he allowed only one home run, Rodriguez was tagged for three other extra-base hits. He's gotten hit hard to start the season, surrendering 11 earned runs and six walks across eight innings.

Paxton (1-1) allowed four earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out nine across 5.1 innings to earn the win Thursday against the Orioles.

Paxton got off to a shaky start by allowing a leadoff home run to Jonathan Villar. The four earned runs were a bit disappointing, though he allowed only one extra-base hit besides the home run. Paxton also continued to miss plenty of bats, generating 20 swinging strikes. He has now racked up 14 strikeouts through 11 innings for the season.

Cobb allowed two earned runs on five hits and a walk while striking out four across 5.2 innings Thursday against the Yankees. He did not factor into the decision.

Cobb was taken deep twice but allowed only one other extra-base hit and handed out just one free pass. His velocity was in line with last season's average, giving no indication that his late start to the season will cost him in terms of performance. Though the two home runs were alarming, Cobb's first outing was largely positive after he closed the 2018 season with a 2.56 ERA across his last 59.2 innings of work.

Gilbert (illness) is starting for Low-A West Virginia on Thursday, Jason Churchill of Prospect Insider reports.

Gilbert will get the ball on Opening Day for the Power. The 21-year-old was drafted by the Mariners with the 14th pick in the 2018 first-year plater draft, though an illness kept him from making his professional debut until this season.

Turnbull allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits while striking out 10 and walking two across six innings in a no-decision against the Royals on Thursday.

The 26-year-old followed up his rough first start with a masterful performance, inducing 15 swinging strikes Monday. That, along with keeping the ball in the park, helped him limit the Royals' damage from nine baserunners (one reached on an error). Turnbull is 0-1 with a 4.09 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 15 strikeouts in 11.0 innings over two starts this season. Next up is likely a date with the Indians.

Baz will open the year in extended spring training, Mike Rosenbaum of MLB.com reports.

With Baz, it's possible that he could be sent to Low-A before the short-season leagues open up, but at the latest we should see him sent somewhere in mid-June. The player to be named later in the Chris Archer trade has frontline stuff but needs to work on harnessing his arsenal.