MLB Player News

Bennett (5-3) picked up the win in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Rays, scattering one hit and one walk over six scoreless innings. He struck out three.

Tampa Bay never got a runner into scoring position against the rookie southpaw, as Bennett tossed an extremely efficient 65 pitches (42 strikes) before being lifted with Boston comfortably ahead 9-0 to begin the seventh inning. Bennett has delivered five straight quality starts dating back to June 22, a stretch in which he sports an astounding 0.82 ERA, 0.64 WHIP and 25:4 K:BB over 33 innings. He'll look to stay dialed in for his next trip to the mound, which is set to come at home next week against the Orioles.

Jax (5-7) took the loss in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Red Sox, coughing up seven runs on eight hits and one walk over five-plus innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander didn't get any help from his offense in a 10-0 rout, but Jax's efforts to keep the game close unraveled in the sixth inning when he led off the frame by hitting Caleb Durbin with a pitch, and then watched the next three Boston batters reach base before he got the hook. Jax tossed 55 of 85 pitches for strikes in his worst outing of the season, and it's the first time since June 1 he's been tagged for more than three runs. He'll take a 4.08 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 77:26 K:BB through 75 innings into his next start, which lines up to come on the road next week in Toronto.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Friday that the outlook for Woodruff's right shoulder injury "isn't good," Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Woodruff was diagnosed earlier this month with an injury to his right anterior shoulder capsule. He is expected to address the media Sunday regarding next steps, but another shoulder surgery is possible. Woodruff is already on the 60-day injured list and ineligible for activation until early September.

Jones will no longer make a start for the Pirates on Friday after their game versus the Guardians was postponed due to air quality conditions.

The contest will be made up as part of a split doubleheader Saturday. Jones will presumably take the ball in one of those games, though it's unclear at this point which one.

Williams and the Guardians won't face the Pirates on Friday, as the game was postponed due to poor air quality.

The game will be made up as part of a split doubleheader Saturday, with Williams taking the mound for Game 1, per Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. Williams went 10-4 with a 3.81 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 134:37 K:BB across 113.1 innings prior to the All-Star break.

Scherzer's (back) rehab assignment has been paused after he received three cortisone injections in his right thumb Monday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Scherzer was originally placed on the injured list last month due to back spasms, so he must have re-injured his thumb in his rehab start last Wednesday. The veteran right-hander has dealt with a laundry list of injuries this season, limiting him to six starts. Scherzer has posted a 10.23 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 14:11 K:BB across 22 innings when healthy enough to pitch.

Houck (elbow) has started throwing two bullpen sessions per week, MLB.com reports.

Houck has begun ramping up and hopes to pitch before the end of the regular season. It's unlikely the Red Sox will use him as a starter, so any rehab assignment would resemble that of a relief pitcher. The right-hander has been sidelined since last August, when he underwent hybrid reconstruction surgery on his right UCL.

Harrison (elbow) underwent an MRI over the All-Star break and is aiming to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Harrison landed on the 15-day injured list last weekend with tightness on the outside of his left elbow. The MRI results haven't yet been reviewed, but Harrison is scheduled to meet with his doctor Friday and is expected to get the green light to resume mound work this weekend. Harrison could have a chance at returning from the IL before the end of July.

Schmidt (elbow) will throw live batting practice Saturday, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Schmidt is nearing a return from the internal brace procedure he underwent last July, and this will be his first time facing live hitters. As long as he gets through a couple BP sessions, Schmidt should then head out on a rehab assignment, giving him a chance to return to the big-league pitching staff sometime next month.

Manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Fried (elbow) will make at least two rehab starts before a decision will be made on his activation from the 15-day injured list, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Fried's first rehab start is Friday, and he'll be limited to around 50 pitches. He'll then make another start next week before the Yankees determine if the left-hander is ready to return to the rotation. Fried hasn't pitched since May 13 due to a bone bruise in his left elbow. Prior to going down, Fried posted a 3.21 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 50:19 K:BB across 61.2 innings this season.