MLB Player News

Paxton (hamstring) allowed two runs on two hits and five walks while striking out four for Triple-A Worcester on Friday.

Paxton made what could be his final rehab start before joining the parent club. The left-hander threw 96 pitches, which suggests he's ready for Boston, but his role is unclear. Paxton has been a starter his entire career, but the Red Sox currently have five starters with a sixth one, Garrett Whitlock (elbow), soon to return from injury.

Greene (0-2) took the loss Friday as the Reds fell 5-4 to the White Sox, giving up five runs on seven hits and a walk over 5.2 innings. He struck out seven.

Homers by Elvis Andrus and Luis Robert accounted for most of the damage off Greene, with the latter long ball helping to chase the right-hander from the game. The 23-year-old continues to look dominant at times -- he produced 19 swinging strikes among his 102 pitches -- but the strikeouts aren't yet leading to consistent results. Greene will take a 3.74 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 47:12 K:BB through 33.2 innings into his next start, which could come at home next week against the Mets.

Lynn (1-4) picked up the win in Friday's 5-4 victory over the Reds, giving up four runs on eight hits over 6.2 innings. He struck out eight without walking a batter.

The veteran right-hander pounded the strike zone, firing 74 of 103 pitches for strikes while generated 19 swinging strikes, and he got just enough run support to get into the win column for the first time this year. Lynn also served up another homer, his ninth in 39.1 innings, and that remains the biggest obstacle between him and turning his season around. He'll take a 6.86 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 50:15 K:BB into his next start, likely to come next week in Kansas City.

Burnes (3-2) took the loss Friday, allowing five runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks over six innings against San Francisco. He struck out five.

Burnes was victimized by a couple of Milwaukee's defensive miscues, leading to an undeserved loss. The right-hander now sports a 1.13 WHIP on the season, and he hasn't given up more than two earned runs in any of his last five starts. The 28-year-old is tentatively slated to face the Dodgers at home in his next start.

Hill (3-3) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on eight hits and two walks over 5.1 innings as the Pirates fell 4-0 to the Blue Jays. He struck out five.

The 43-year-old southpaw allowed more than three runs for only the second time in seven starts, but he continues to live dangerously as he served up his eighth homer in only 37.2 innings on the season. Hill will take a 4.54 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 32:11 K:BB into his next outing, which could come at home next week against the Rockies.

Castillo did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing four runs on five hits and one walk over seven innings against the Astros. He struck out five.

Castillo turned in another solid outing, pitching seven innings for the second time this year. The right-hander now sports a 0.91 WHIP, tied for ninth in the league. The former Red is firmly established as an elite option ahead of his next tentative start against Texas.

Bassitt (4-2) picked up the win in Friday's 4-0 victory over the Pirates, allowing four hits and four walks over seven scoreless innings. He struck out five.

The veteran right-hander's control continues to waver a bit, as Bassitt has issued at least three free passes in five of his last six starts, but at least Friday they didn't come back to haunt him. After a disastrous Toronto debut that saw the Cardinals take him deep four times, he has a 2.45 ERA, 1.06 WHIP 33:20 K:BB over his last 36.2 innings, serving up only two homers during that stretch. Bassitt will look to keep rolling in his next outing, likely to come next weekend at home against Atlanta.

Steele (5-0) picked up the win in Friday's 4-1 victory over the Marlins, allowing one run on six hits over seven innings. He struck out four without walking a batter.

The southpaw was sharp once again, tossing 64 of 86 pitches for strikes and shutting out Miami through five innings. Steele's ability to limit homers has been his strongest asset so far in 2023 -- he's kept the ball in the yard in six of his seven starts. The 27-year-old will take a 1.45 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 36:11 K:BB through 43.1 innings into his next outing, likely to come at home next week against the Cardinals.

Cabrera (2-3) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs on five hits and a walk over five innings as the Marlins were downed 4-1 by the Cubs. He struck out eight.

The right-hander continues to rack up punchouts, as Cabrera generated 30 called or swinging strikes among his 95 pitches, but he got little support from the Miami offense. Friday's effort also represented only the second time in seven starts he hasn't walked multiple batters. Cabrera will carry a 4.78 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 44:26 K:BB through 32 innings into his next outing, likely to come next week in Arizona.

Javier did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks over seven innings against the Mariners. He struck out eight.

Javier tossed seven innings for the first time this season. The right-hander has been a solid option all year, sporting a 1.06 WHIP and never giving up more than four runs in a start. The 26-year-old is tentatively slated to face the Angels in his next appearance.