MLB Player News

Alexander didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Athletics, allowing four runs on seven hits over 4.2 innings. He struck out seven.

While his seven punchouts matched a season high, Alexander struggled initially after opener Shawn Armstrong delivered two scoreless innings. The southpaw allowed four runs in the third, including a pair on a Shea Langeliers homer. It's been a tough stretch for Alexander of late -- he's now given up 21 runs in his last four outings (24 innings). Overall, he's 2-3 with a 6.19 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 48:13 K:BB across 56.2 innings this year.

Sandoval (2-8) was tagged with the loss against the Yankees on Thursday, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks over six innings while striking out seven.

Sandoval pitched well on the night and didn't surrender a hit until the top of the fourth when Aaron Judge took him deep for a two-run shot. The lefty would allow just one hit and one walk from that point on before being relieved by Adam Cimber to open the seventh. It was a nice bounceback effort for Sandoval after allowing a season-high eight runs in his previous start. However, he's lost his last three decisions (spanning four starts) and has walked at least three batters in three consecutive outings.

Rodon (7-2) picked up the win over the Angels on Thursday, allowing three runs on three hits and one walk over six-plus innings. He struck out five.

Rodon ran through the Angels' lineup for most of the night, surrendering one run over the first six frames while producing five 1-2-3 innings. However, the veteran lefty would run into trouble in the seventh after allowing the first three batters to reach, paving the way for Ian Hamilton to take over in relief. Rodon has won each of his last five starts, posting a 26:6 K:BB over that stretch. He's also logged quality starts in five straight outings.

Whitlock (elbow) underwent an internal bracing procedure Thursday and will not pitch again in 2024, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

Whitlock avoided Tommy John reconstruction surgery and instead had an internal bracing procedure on his right elbow UCL. The surgery was performed by Dr. Jeffrey Dugas at the Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopedics Center in Birmingham, Ala. The right-hander is expected to make a full recovery, which could take between 10 and 12 months. A return at some point during the 2025 season is expected. Whitlock's 2024 season ended after four starts; he had a 1.96 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 18.1 innings.

Pivetta (2-4) took the loss against Detroit on Thursday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out nine batters over 5.1 innings.

Pivetta's nine punchouts were his most since his season debut March 29, and the outing was a nice bounce-back from his five-run, 3.1-inning start his previous time on the mound. However, Boston's offense couldn't generate any runs, saddling the right-hander with his fourth loss. Pivetta has had a couple poor starts this season, but he's allowed two or fewer earned runs in five of his seven appearances.

Flaherty (2-4) earned the win over Boston on Thursday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out nine batters over 6.2 scoreless innings.

Flaherty was at his best Thursday, racking up 15 swinging strikes and tying his season high with 6.2 frames. The right-hander struck out exactly nine batters for the third straight contest and recorded his sixth consecutive quality start. Though the win was just his second this season, Flaherty has been very good in his first year with Detroit, posting a 3.46 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 90:10 K:BB over 67.2 innings.

Gilbert (3-3) took the loss against Houston on Thursday, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out five batters over six innings.

Gilbert began his outing with three scoreless frames, but homers by Alex Bregman and Victor Caratini plated three runs for the Astros across the fourth and fifth innings. Gilbert still had a chance to extend his three-game quality-start streak, but that was extinguished when he gave up another run in the sixth. The right-hander still has a solid 3.29 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over 76.2 innings on the campaign.

Arrighetti (3-5) earned the win over Seattle on Thursday, pitching six scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and three walks while striking out eight batters.

Arrighetti not only recorded the first quality start of his career, he also fanned a career-high eight batters and didn't allow any extra-base hits. The rookie right-hander did walk three batters -- he's issued multiple free passes in each of his nine starts on the campaign -- but none of those came back to hurt him. Arrighetti has been making a case to stick in the Astros' rotation following a slow start to the campaign. He held an 8.44 ERA after a poor outing May 8 but has since won three of his past four starts with a 3.63 ERA over that stretch.

Cole (elbow) could make his first rehab start Tuesday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Cole threw live batting practice Thursday, and his next step will likely be a lengthy rehab assignment. It's unclear which affiliate he'll begin the assignment with, though it will be a significant step toward his return regardless of exactly where it occurs.

Poteet (finger) will be called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start Saturday's game against the Giants, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Poteet has been dealing with a blister and is currently on the Triple-A club's 7-day injured list, but he'll be healthy and ready to join the big club to make a start in place of Clarke Schmidt (lat). Poteet threw four innings in his last outing May 19 and has worked in a regular starting role with Scranton/Wilkes Barre this season, so he should be able to handle a normal workload. The Yankees haven't formally announced their plans beyond Saturday, but Poteet should have the chance to stick in the rotation until Gerrit Cole (elbow) is back from the 60-day injured list.