Yahoo Sports

Cease (4-2) earned the win Friday against the Diamondbacks, allowing one run, three hits and no walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out eight.

Advice: Cease continued his brilliant start to the season Friday night, generating 18 whiffs en route to eight strikeouts. The erstwhile White Sox pitcher appears to have re-found his 2022 form, pitching to the tune of a 2.55 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 48:14 K:BB over 42.1 innings. Cease looks to keep it rolling in his next start, scheduled against the Cubs in Chicago. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:10 pm

Cruz went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Rockies.

Advice: The 25-year-old shortstop had gone 17 straight games without a homer coming into Friday and nearly made it 18. but he got hold of a Jalen Beeks changeup in the ninth inning to make things close for the Pirates. It was Cruz's fourth long ball of the season and his first off a southpaw, and the RBI were his first since April 22. While the performance was encouraging, he still sports a disappointing .240/.287/.364 slash line through 33 contests with three steals, nine runs and 10 RBI. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:40 pm

Manager Alex Cora said Friday that Pivetta (elbow) won't require another rehab start and will return from the 15-day injured list to make his next start with Boston, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Advice: Pivetta surrendered four runs over three-plus innings during his lone rehab start at Triple-A Worcester on Thursday. Despite his subpar performance, the Red Sox will waste no time returning the 31-year-old right-hander to their rotation, which has already been hit hard by injuries this season. Pivetta has given up one earned run across 11 innings through two starts in 2024. He appears in line to make his return to the rotation in Atlanta on Tuesday or Wednesday. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 3:00 pm

Pivetta (elbow) allowed four runs on three hits and four walks while striking out five over three-plus innings for Triple-A Worcester on Thursday.

Advice: Pivetta threw 62 pitches in the first and possibly only start while on a rehab assignment. He ran into immediate trouble, walking the first two batters of the game then giving up three straight singles. He settled in after that, retiring the next nine batters, before he was pulled following another two walks to lead off the fourth inning. "Repertoire felt good, just wasn't throwing a ton of strikes," Pivetta told Tommy Cassell of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. "I have some mechanical adjustments to work on but we'll be fine." Red Sox manager Alex Cora previously indicated Pivetta would need just one rehab start, and if that's the case, the right-hander is on schedule for next week's two-game set against Atlanta on Tuesday or Wednesday. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 3:59 am

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Pivetta (elbow) could rejoin the rotation next week during the team's May 7-8 series in Atlanta, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Advice: Pivetta is slated to make a rehab start with Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, and it appearance that will be the lone appearance before he rejoins the Red Sox' rotation. The right-hander has been on the shelf since early April with a right elbow flexor strain. Pivetta was excellent before getting hurt, allowing just one run with a 13:1 K:BB over 11 frames in his first two starts. Rotowire.com Thursday, 10:43 am