MLB Player News

Gonzalez has a 2.45 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in eight starts since being promoted to Double-A Portland, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Gonzalez dominated in his most recent outing, throwing six scoreless innings while not allowing a hit until his final frame. Opponents are batting just .147 against the right-hander, who is averaging 11.6 K/9. One warning flag that jumps out are Gonzalez's walks; he's allowed more walks (22) than hits (20) in 40.1 innings for the Sea Dogs. The organization will have him work on repeating his mechanics in between starts to correct that issue. The Red Sox are expected to add him to the 40-man roster during the offseason and have him pitch in big-league camp during 2024 spring training.

Quintana (2-5) picked up the win Tuesday, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over seven innings in an 11-5 victory over the Nationals. He struck out four.

The veteran southpaw gave up back-to-back hits to lead off the game, with Jacob Young crossing the plate after his double, but Quintana slammed the door on the Nats the rest of the way and didn't let another runner even get into scoring position. The 34-year-old has been impressive since making his season debut in late July after recovering from surgery this spring to repair a stress fracture in his ribcage, delivering quality starts in seven of his last eight outings. Quintana is next set to take the mound early next week in a home series against the Diamondbacks.

Kluber (shoulder) has been cleared to begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Portland on Friday, MLB.com reports.

Kluber threw two innings of live batting practice prior to Tuesday's game against the Rays at Tropicana Field. The veteran right-hander was placed on the injured list in June and had an earlier rehab assignment stopped when he experienced continued shoulder issues after two starts. Kluber will work out of the bullpen when he returns to the Red Sox.

Dunning allowed nine runs on 11 hits and two walks while striking out four over 5.1 relief innings in Tuesday's 14-1 loss to Houston.

Dunning, who had been a regular member of the rotation since May, entered after starter Nathan Eovaldi was chased with one out in the second inning. Dunning gave the Rangers bulk innings, but he continued a trend of worrisome performances. The right-hander has allowed 16 runs on 21 hits (five home runs) and 10 walks in 13.1 innings over his last three outings. His use out of the bullpen precludes Dunning from any potential start until the weekend, although the Rangers do have five healthy starters (including Eovaldi). That Dunning was used as a long reliever Tuesday may indicate he's going to pitch out of the bullpen going forward.

Greene was scheduled to fly from San Francisco to Cincinnati on Tuesday and could be activated from the COVID-19-related injured list this weekend, MLB.com reports.

Greene was deactivated shortly after making his last start Aug. 30 while the Reds were in San Francisco. Once he rejoins the Reds, the team will see if Greene is fit to pitch after the week-long layoff. The hope is that Greene can return to the mound at some point during the weekend series at home against the Cardinals.

Nelson has worked to improve his slider during his time in the minors, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Nelson's slider has shown progress over his last few starts at Triple-A Reno, with Arizona pitching coach Brent Strom noting that the right-hander is "locating it more" and "hasn't made as many mistakes with it." Nelson has made four starts for Reno since his demotion in mid-August, pitching to a respectable 3.74 ERA. He had been part of the Diamondbacks rotation for the first four-and-a-half months of the season, posting a 5.74 ERA in 24 starts. Despite a mid-90s fastball, Nelson struggled to miss bats, and the organization is hoping an improved slider will help. If the club reaches down to the minors for a starter Thursday, Nelson, whose last outing was Sept. 2, is the most likely candidate to fill the opening. Arizona needs a starter after it demoted Slade Cecconi on Sunday.

Pfaadt (1-8) allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four over 3.2 innings to take the loss Tuesday versus the Rockies.

Pfaadt had pitched well at times in August, but he's now given up nine runs (eight earned) over 7.2 innings across his last two starts. The rookie right-hander threw just 70 pitches (45 strikes) in Tuesday's poor outing. He's at a 6.27 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 68:24 K:BB through 74.2 innings across 15 starts overall. Pfaadt is lined up for a road start versus the Cubs over the weekend.

Freeland (6-14) allowed two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out two over six innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Diamondbacks.

Freeland was hit hard at home versus Atlanta in his last start, but he was able to bounce back in this outing. This was the first time he'd walked multiple batters in a start since July 9. The southpaw is now at a 5.09 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 91:41 K:BB through 146.2 innings over 27 starts this season. Freeland is projected for a home start versus the Cubs next week.

Bassitt (14-7) allowed a run on seven hits and struck out seven over eight innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Athletics.

Bassitt and Ken Waldichuk engaged in a pitchers' duel for six innings before Toronto's bats found success against Oakland's bullpen. This was Bassitt's second eight-inning start in a row after he blanked the Nationals his last time out. The right-hander is now at a 3.69 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 158:52 K:BB through 173.1 innings over 29 starts this year. He'll look to carry some momentum into a more challenging home start versus the Rangers next week.

Waldichuk allowed four hits and three walks while striking out three over six scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Blue Jays on Tuesday.

Waldichuk held his own, but the Athletics' bullpen couldn't do the same in a seventh-inning collapse. This was his first scoreless effort since June 29, and Waldichuk had allowed eight runs over 14.2 innings across his three previous outings. The southpaw is at a 5.63 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 117:67 K:BB through 120 innings across 31 appearances (20 starts) this season. He's projected for a difficult road start in Houston early next week.