MLB Player News

Anderson (5-4) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on six hits and two walks over eight innings in a 2-1 victory over the Astros. He struck out four.

The veteran southpaw needed 95 pitches (65 strikes) to deliver his third straight quality start and seventh of the season, and Anderson's eight frames marked his longest outing of the season. He'll take an impressive 2.52 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 44:23 K:BB through 64.1 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home next week against the Yankees.

Whitlock is scheduled to visit Dr. Jeff Dugas in Birmingham, Ala. on May 30, at which point a decision will be made whether he'll require surgery to address his right elbow sprain, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Whitlock was originally placed on the 15-day injured list April 17 with a left oblique strain, but the health of his pitching elbow is now the Red Sox's chief concern after he sustained the injury in his lone rehab start for Triple-A Worcester last Wednesday. He's reportedly dealing with damage to his UCL, so while the early expectation is that he'll need some kind of procedure to address the injury, he'll first consult with Dr. Dugas to see if rest and rehab is a viable treatment plan. Even if Whitlock is able to avoid surgery, he's still likely looking at an extended absence and likely won't be ready to rejoin the Red Sox until the second half of the season even in a best-case scenario.

Freeland (elbow) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

It's a significant step in Freeland's rehab program, as it's the first time he's thrown off a mound since he landed on the injured list in mid-April with an elbow strain. The left-hander now needs to build up his arm strength before facing live batters and embarking on a rehab assignment, so he's likely still about a month away from rejoining Colorado's rotation.

Means was removed from Wednesday's start against the Cardinals due to left elbow discomfort and will undergo medical testing, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The injury wasn't immediately reported as the left-hander's departure after three innings coincided with a rain delay. Means entered the contest with an average fastball velocity of 90.9 mph this season, but he sat two ticks below that Wednesday. The 31-year-old missed most of last season while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and a back injury, so another elbow issue could be a significant concern.

The Diamondbacks optioned Cecconi to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

The right-hander followed an opener Monday against the Dodgers but still took the loss after he was tagged for six runs over five innings. Cecconi pitched well in his first two starts for the Diamondbacks in late April with just three runs allowed, but in four subsequent outings he has an 8.41 ERA and 11:7 K:BB, and he's given up seven homers during that stretch.

McKenzie did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Mets, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out five.

McKenzie didn't appear to have his best stuff Wednesday, as he'd allow three solo homers before departing with a 3-0 deficit in the sixth inning. However, the Guardians would rally for six unanswered runs in an eventual victory, sparing McKenzie the loss. Still, it's the first time in seven starts that McKenzie's allowed more than two earned runs -- he came into the day with a 2.10 ERA over his prior six outings. Overall, the 26-year-old right-hander sports a 3.44 ERA with a 1.34 WHIP and 45:31 K:BB over 10 starts (52.1 innings) this season. McKenzie's next start is currently lined up for early next week against the Rockies in Colorado.

Quintana did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Guardians, allowing three runs on four hits over six innings. He struck out four.

Quintana was excellent for most of the day Wednesday, allowing just one hit through his first five scoreless innings. However, after allowing a pair of hits in the sixth, Quintana surrendered a two-out, three-run homer to Andres Gimenez that tied the game 3-3, leaving the southpaw with a no-decision. It's just the second quality start for Quintana in 10 outings this season though he's looked better of late, allowing five runs on eight hits and no walks in his last two starts (11.1 innings). He'll carry a 5.13 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 36:18 K:BB into his next start, currently scheduled for early next week against the Dodgers.

The Rangers activated Dunning (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday ahead of his scheduled start against the Phillies.

The right-hander has missed most of this month with a right rotator cuff strain and didn't make a rehab start prior to being activated, so he could be subject to a relatively limited pitch count in his first start since May 4. Dunning enters Wednesday's contest with a 3-2 record, 4.10 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 37.1 innings on the season.

Irvin (2-5) took the loss Wednesday against the Twins, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out six over 6.1 innings.

Irvin was solid overall Wednesday, holding Minnesota to two runs on a pair of solo homers, though he'd ultimately take his third loss in four starts as the Nationals failed to generate enough run support. The 27-year-old Irvin's ERA now sits at 3.79 with a solid 1.07 WHIP and 44:9 K:BB across 10 outings (57 innings) this season. He's currently slated for a tough road matchup in Atlanta early next week.

The Giants activated Snell (adductor) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.

Snell will rejoin the rotation Wednesday after completing his recovery from a Grade 2 adductor strain. The left-hander posted an 11.57 ERA in his first three starts with the Giants this season but looked sharp during two rehab outings, not allowing a hit or a run while collecting a 17:1 K:BB in nine innings. He threw just 60 pitches in his most recent rehab outing Friday, so Snell's workload could be relatively limited Wednesday. According to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area, Snell could go on paternity leave after Wednesday's outing, but in such a scenario, he should be back in time to make his next start.