MLB Player News

Lively (illness) struck out one while allowing three earned runs on four hits and no walks over 5.1 innings in his second rehab start with Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday.

After battling a viral illness in spring training that cost him about two weeks of action, Lively opened the season on the 15-day injured list. He might be fully built up by this point, however, as he reached the sixth inning of Tuesday's rehab outing and tossed 55 pitches in the start. Though Lively appeared likely to serve as organizational starting depth in 2024, he could have a clear path to a rotation spot in the short term while Shane Bieber (elbow) and Gavin Williams (elbow) are on the shelf. Bieber is lost for the season, but Williams is expected back in late April or early May.

The Rays reinstated Alexander from the bereavement list Saturday.

Alexander has gotten off to a rough start this year, surrendering nine earned runs on 14 hits through 9.1 frames, and he is expected to make his next start Sunday against San Francisco. Jacob Waguespack was optioned to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move.

Bradish (elbow) is throwing a bullpen session Saturday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

He threw a live batting practice session Thursday, so the fact he's throwing again suggests all went well and he is continuing his slow ramp up. Manager Brandon Hyde said after Bradish's bullpen session that the right-hander will embark on a rehab assignment in "the middle of next week," likely with Double-A Bowie.

Criswell was called up from Triple-A Worcester to start Saturday's game against the Angels, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The 27-year-old righty came into the year with little fanfare after working as a multi-inning reliever in the majors last year for Tampa Bay. However, he has a 0.87 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 60 percent groundball rate through 10.1 innings (two starts) at Triple-A. The new Red Sox regime has gotten the best out of its starting pitchers in the early going, so perhaps Criswell can keep that trend going. Nick Pivetta (elbow) was expected to play catch Saturday and there's a chance he could return shortly after the 15-day minimum.

Gil will be available out of the bullpen for Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Per manager Aaron Boone, Gil would likely start Monday's game in Toronto if he doesn't pitch Saturday, but if he is used, he would slot back into the rotation Wednesday against the Blue Jays. Gil is available either for length or a big spot, so he could pick up a win or even a save during the twin bill. Nestor Cortes will start Sunday against Cleveland.

The Reds reinstated Lodolo (calf) from the 15-day injured list Saturday.

A left calf injury has kept Lodolo on the injured list since the beginning of the year, but he will return to make his season debut Saturday against the White Sox. The 26-year-old southpaw made two starts during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville, surrendering five earned runs across 7.2 innings while striking out 10 batters and walking three. Carson Spiers was optioned to Louisville in a corresponding move.

Severino (1-1) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on one hit and four walks over five innings in a 6-1 victory over the Royals. He struck out four.

The right-hander tossed 55 of 90 pitches for strikes, and aside from a solo shot by Salvador Perez in the second inning, Severino kept Kansas City hitters off balance and took advantage of his defense. Severino has yet to last more than five innings in any of his first three starts, but he's delivered a 3.00 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB through 15 innings. He'll try to give the Mets a bit more length in his next outing, which lines up as a home start next week against the Pirates.

Wacha (1-1) took the loss Friday, coughing up five runs on 10 hits and two walks over six innings as the Royals were downed 6-1 by the Mets. He struck out four.

The veteran right-hander managed to keep the ball in the park, but that might have been the only silver lining to his performance as Wacha tossed 56 of 84 pitches for strikes before getting the hook and managed only seven swinging strikes. Despite the stumble, he'll take a 4.00 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 17:4 K:BB through 18 innings into his next start, which is scheduled for next week on the road against the White Sox.

Rogers (0-2) took the loss Friday as the Marlins were routed 8-1 by Atlanta, giving up two runs on eight hits and a walk over five-plus innings. He struck out five.

The 26-year-old got out-dueled by fellow southpaw Max Fried, and Rogers' line could have been a lot worse -- he exited the game with runners on first and second and nobody out in the sixth inning, but George Soriano worked out of the jam. Rogers tossed 56 of 80 pitches for strikes, and he'll take a 4.80 ERA and 14:8 K:BB through 15 innings into his next start, which is scheduled for next week at home against the Giants.

Fried (1-0) picked up the win in Friday's 8-1 rout of the Marlins, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over 6.1 innings while striking out four.

The southpaw rebounded nicely from a rough couple of outings to begin the season, taking a shutout into the seventh inning and tossing 49 of 84 pitches for strikes. Fried's overall numbers remain alarming, but he's more than capable of bringing down his 8.74 ERA and 1.85 WHIP quickly. He lines up for a tough test in his next start, which is scheduled for next week on the road in Houston.