MLB Player News

Lewicki will likely start either Monday against the Yankees or Tuesday in Boston, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

The Tigers are amid a stretch of 18 games in 17 days, with a doubleheader on tap against the Yankees on Monday, so Lewicki will likely get a spot start early next week, according to manager Ron Gardenhire. The 26-year-old righty has a 5.06 ERA in six starts at Triple-A this season, but his 3.29 FIP is much more respectable. He also has had success at preventing runs in the big leagues this year (3.60 ERA), but all 15 of his innings have come in a relief role.

Montas (2-0) cruised to an easy win in Friday's 16-0 rout of the Royals, scattering seven hits over eight scoreless innings while striking out two.

He benefited from three double plays behind him, but for a pitcher with a career 5.3 BB/9 in the majors coming into Friday, Montas did a remarkable job of pounding the zone with his heavy mid-90s fastball, firing 67 of 99 pitches for strikes. With two extremely impressive starts under his belt since his promotion, the A's have every reason to keep the 25-year-old in the rotation for now, setting him up for a rematch with a very exploitable Royals lineup back in Oakland on Thursday.

Berrios (6-5) picked up the win in Friday's 7-4 victory over Cleveland, allowing four runs on five hits and a walk over six innings while striking out seven.

The right-hander struck out at least seven batters for the fourth straight start, throwing 69 of 99 pitches for strikes as he pounded the zone after being staked to an early 4-0 lead. Berrios will take a 3.86 ERA and brilliant 74:14 K:BB through 74.2 innings into his next outing Thursday at home against the White Sox.

Carrasco (6-4) took the loss Friday as Cleveland fell 7-4 to the Twins, coughing up six runs on seven hits and three walks over 3.2 innings while striking out two.

The right-hander remains in a rut, posting a 6.37 ERA over his last seven starts thanks primarily to an elevated 1.8 HR/9, including Eduardo Escobar's three-run blast off Carrasco in the first inning Friday. His 45:13 K:BB in 41 innings over that stretch remains strong, however, suggesting he's only one tweak away from returning to form. He'll try to turn things around Wednesday at home against the Brewers.

Cole (6-1) picked up the win in Friday's 7-3 victory over the Red Sox, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk over seven innings while striking out seven.

In a clash of early AL Cy Young favorites with Chris Sale, it was Cole who came out on top, throwing 66 of 105 pitches for strikes while delivering his third straight quality start and 10th of the year. The right-hander will carry a 2.20 ERA and dominant 116:20 K:BB through 81.2 innings into his next outing Thursday on the road against the Rangers.

Gray (4-4) allowed one run on four hits and struck out six across six innings as he picked up the win Friday against the Orioles.

Gray surrendered a solo home run to Manny Machado in the second inning, but he would go on to toss a quality outing. He was able to bounce back from his previous start, when he took the loss after allowing five runs in 3.2 innings to the Angels. Gray sits with a 5.50 ERA and 1.60 WHIP with 50 strikeouts across 55.2 innings on the season.

Sale (5-3) took the loss Friday as the Red Sox fell 7-3 to the Astros, allowing four runs on six hits and a walk over six innings while striking out six.

After giving up no more than three runs in any of his first 11 starts of the season, Sale has now coughed up 10 earned runs in his last two to boost his ERA on the year to an even 3.00, although his 14:4 K:BB in 10.1 innings over that "slump" suggests there isn't much to worry about. Look for the 29-year-old to come roaring back in his next outing Thursday at home against the Tigers.

Blackburn (forearm) is scheduled to stretch out to 75 pitches in his next rehab start for High-A Stockton on Tuesday, Jordan Wolf of MLB.com reports.

Blackburn was transferred to the 60-day disabled list back on April 5, but he appears to finally be inching closer to a return. The 24-year-old right-hander pitched to plenty of contact in his first game action since August 2017 on Thursday, allowing three earned runs on eight hits and a walk over 3.2 innings against Modesto while throwing 63 pitches overall. Despite the rough outing, manager Bob Melvin describes Blackburn as being "on his way" back to full health after his extended absence, but he may need two more rehab starts at minimum before being deemed ready for activation.

The Indians optioned Bieber to Triple-A Columbus on Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Bieber allowed four runs on eight hits over 5.2 innings Thursday in his major-league debut Thursday, but the Indians opted to bolster their bullpen depth for now with no need for a fifth starter until June 12 against the White Sox. The 23-year-old has dominated at Triple-A this season (1.05 ERA, 0.56 WHIP) and is seems likely to pitch again for the Tribe at some point this season, though it's uncertain he'll be in store for the June 12 assignment with Adam Plutko also viewed as a candidate for the final spot in the Cleveland rotation.

McCullers (7-3) allowed two earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four across six innings to earn the win Thursday against the Red Sox.

McCullers didn't rack up strikeouts but contained one of the better offenses in the league, with the only runs he allowed coming on a two-run double by Xander Bogaerts. This was a much needed bounceback effort for him after he was shelled for seven earned runs -- including three home runs -- in his last outing at Cleveland. He is now third in the American League with seven wins this season as he heads into his next start Wednesday against Seattle.