MLB Player News

Sale (ribs) threw 22-25 pitches during a bullpen session Friday, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

Sale threw a 15-pitch bullpen session Tuesday while mixing in all of his pitch types, and he increased his pitch count Friday. The southpaw is scheduled to throw three bullpen sessions next week, and the team is hoping he'll be able to begin a rehab assignment the week after that. However, the Red Sox will wait to make a firm decision on that timetable until they see how he feels following his throwing sessions next week.

Ashcraft's contract was selected by the Reds on Friday. He'll take the hill for his second career start Friday against the Giants.

Ashcraft made his big-league debut last week against the Blue Jays and held his own but wasn't particularly impressive, striking out three batters in 4.1 innings while giving up two runs on four hits and a pair of walks. He returned to the minors after that start, as he'd merely been up to replace a handful of players who hit the restricted list after rendering themselves unable to cross the Canadian border due to their decision not to vaccinate themselves against COVID-19, but it's possible he could make his case to stick around longer this time around.

Cortes (4-1) earned the win Thursday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk over eight innings against the Rays. He struck out five.

Cortes was lights-out through eight innings, but he was pulled in favor of Wandy Peralta after giving up a leadoff single to Wander Franco in the ninth inning. Franco came around to score on a Manuel Margot single later in the inning, but that was the only blemish for the left-hander. The 27-year-old has been dominant to start the season and currently sports a 1.70 ERA and 0.85 WHIP across 53.0 innings with 61:12 K:BB. Cortes' next start is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday's contest against the Angels.

Marquez (1-5) allowed five earned runs on six hits and three walks over six innings while striking out two to take the loss Thursday against the Nationals.

Marquez surrendered four runs in the first inning while allowing six of the first seven batters he faced to reach base. He did manage to settle in from there and recorded 10 groundball outs to limit further damage. Marquez has now allowed four or more earned runs in six of his nine starts, which has led to a 6.30 ERA and 1.58 WHIP across 50 frames on the season.

Ryu was removed from Thursday's start against the Angels after five innings since he was experiencing tightness in his left elbow, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Ryu picked up his second win of the season during Thursday's matchup, but he was pulled after throwing just 65 pitches. The southpaw missed nearly a month with forearm inflammation earlier in the year, so it's somewhat concerning to see him dealing with an elbow issue during his third start after returning to the mound. However, Ryu is confident that he'll be available to make his next start. If he's healthy, he projects to start at home against the White Sox on Wednesday.

Pepiot will start Friday's game against the Diamondbacks, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Although Pepiot was sent down last week, he traveled with the Dodgers for their road trip to Arizona and will make his third major-league start Friday. Over his first two starts, the right-hander posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in seven innings.

Davies (lower leg) threw a 31-pitch bullpen session Thursday, Jack Sommers of MLB.com reports. The right-hander is scheduled to start Sunday against the Dodgers.

Davies left his most recent start during the fourth inning after taking a 112.4 mph liner to the leg off the bat of Bobby Witt. According to the report, Thursday's bullpen session went well, and Davies will not miss a turn.

Keuchel (2-5) took the loss against Boston on Thursday, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four over two innings.

Keuchel's outing got off to an ominous beginning when Enrique Hernandez led off the game with a home run, and the veteran hurler went on to allow two more runs in the frame. He then served up a three-run shot to Trevor Story in the second inning and didn't make it back out to the mound for the third. Blowups like these have been a theme for Keuchel this season -- he has now given up six or more runs in three of his eight starts. He's had some decent outings as well, but it's tough to invest fantasy stock in a pitcher who has a 7.88 ERA on the season, especially when that is accompanied by an ugly 20:20 K:BB.

Wacha did not factor in the decision against the White Sox on Thursday, completing 4.1 innings and allowing five runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out five batters.

Wacha was provided plenty of run support, as Boston built a six-run lead after two innings. However, Andrew Vaughn tagged the right-hander for a three-run double in the third frame, and Wacha was lifted after serving up a two-run homer to Vaughn in the fifth. The hurler ended up being charged with a season-worst five runs after giving up two or fewer runs in teach of his first six starts. He'll look to bounce back in his next outing, which is scheduled to come against Cincinnati next week.

Wainwright (5-4) took the loss against Milwaukee on Thursday, allowing four runs (three earned) on 10 hits and one walk while striking out two over five innings.

Wainwright labored to make it through five frames, needing 100 pitches and yielding a season-high 10 hits. He gave up a pair of runs in the first inning and single runs in each of the second and fourth frames. The veteran entered the contest riding a three-game win streak on the strength of having allowed just three runs over his previous 20 innings, but he gave up more hits and runs Thursday than he had during all three games of the win streak combined. Wainwright will look to bounce back in his next start, which is scheduled to come at home against the Padres next week.