MLB Player News

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that Fitts (pectoral) will throw another bullpen session Thursday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Fitts will throw off a mound for a second time since he landed on the 15-day injured list in mid-April with a right pectoral strain. He will eventually need to make a rehab start or two before being activated, at which point he will likely be optioned to Triple-A Worcester, as the Red Sox aren't expected to have a rotation spot available for him.

Pena went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and four RBI in Wednesday's 9-1 win over the Brewers.

The big blow from the shortstop was a three-run blast in the sixth inning off Elvin Rodriguez, Pena's fifth long ball of the season. After a sluggish start to the season at the plate, Pena has hit safely in 24 of the last 26 games, boosting his slash line on the season to .279/.340/.434 with five steals, 16 RBI and 19 runs.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Loasiga (elbow) will likely remain on his rehab assignment through May 18, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

Loaisiga was moved up to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday to continue his rehab assignment, and Boone is "really excited" with where the reliever is at in his recovery from the internal brace procedure he underwent last April. However, given how little the 30-year-old has pitched the last couple seasons, the Yankees want to proceed slowly with him. Loaisiga allowed one run with a 7:0 K:BB over 3.1 innings during three rehab appearances with Single-A Tampa. He's looking at an activation from the 15-day injured list May 20 if all continues to go well.

Valdez (2-4) picked up the win in Wednesday's 9-1 victory over the Brewers, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out seven.

The southpaw delivered his fifth quality start of the season on 101 pitches (59 strikes), with only a solo shot by Eric Haase in the fifth inning marring his line. Valdez generated 33 called or swinging strikes as he snapped a four-decision losing streak, and he'll take a 3.94 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 44:17 K:BB through 48 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Royals.

Benintendi (calf) remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game in Kansas City.

He'll miss a third straight contests after tweaking his left calf Sunday against the Astros. There's been no indication to this point that Benintendi might require a trip to the 10-day injured list, but he'll need to improve in a hurry. Brooks Baldwin will play left field and bat sixth for the White Sox on Wednesday.

Quero is out of the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Kansas City.

Quero had started the last three games and five of the past six contests, but he will get a breather Wednesday. Matt Thaiss will start at catcher and will bat cleanup.

Meidroth is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Royals.

Meidroth had a costly dropped popup in Tuesday's 4-3 loss, although it's not clear whether that's the reason he's not starting Wednesday. Jacob Amaya will fill in at shortstop and bat ninth for the White Sox, while Joshua Palacios has been elevated to the leadoff spot in Meidroth's absence.

Bader (illness) remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Orioles.

Bader is under the weather and will miss a second straight start. Willi Castro will play left field and bat eighth for the Twins.

Arias went 4-for-5 with a double and a run scored in Wednesday's 8-6 win over the Nationals.

Getting the start at second base and batting fifth, Arias delivered his third multi-hit performance in the last four games, and the first four-hit effort of his career. The recent surge has boosted the 25-year-old infielder's slash line to .287/.339/.452 on the season with four homers, two steals, 16 RBI and 19 runs in 35 contests.

Clase gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his eighth save of the season in an 8-6 win over the Nationals.

After some early-season struggles, Clase appears to be regaining his usual form. The right-hander has converted four straight save chances, and he's given up just one earned run over his last six appearances with a 7:0 K:BB. He still has some work to do to dig out from the statistical hole he dug, however -- through 16.1 innings on the season, Clase carries a 5.51 ERA and 1.71 WHIP.