• Joining rotation Sunday
    Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Winckowski will start Sunday's game against the Padres in Boston, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

    Advice: Due to off days Thursday and next Monday, the Red Sox didn't need to add a fifth starter to the rotation until July 6, but manager Alex Cora is electing to bring Winckowski in the rotation early. Brayan Bello had been lined up to start Sunday's game, but he'll instead get pushed back to next Wednesday in Miami and have extra time to regroup after he was lit up for seven earned runs over 2.1 innings in a loss to Toronto on Wednesday. While coming on in relief of Bello on Tuesday, Winckowski struck out eight and allowing two earned runs in six innings, so he looks to be fully stretched out enough to head into Sunday's start without any restrictions with his pitch count. Winckowski has previously made three starts with the big club this season, posting a 1.69 ERA and 0.94 WHIP over 10.2 innings. Rotowire.com Today, 1:22 pm
     
  • George Kirby flummoxes Rays over six frames in win
    George Kirby struck out seven and allowed one run over six innings on Wednesday in a win over the Rays.

    Advice: Kirby coughed up an early run-scoring single to Yandy Díaz, but managed to keep Tampa Bay’s lineup quiet from the third inning onwards to net his seventh win of the season. He induced 13 swinging strikes, including six on his four-seam fastball, and finished with a pedestrian 28 percent CSW. Of course, he also didn’t hand out a free pass in this one. It wasn’t his most dominant effort of the season, but was more than enough to lead Seattle to a much-needed win. The 26-year-old righty has allowed two earned runs or fewer in six consecutive starts dating back to May 29. He’ll carry a strong 3.35 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 96/9 K/BB ratio across 99 1/3 innings (17 starts) into a tough come outing on Wednesday against the Orioles. Rotoworld Today, 1:21 pm
     
  • Ryan Pepiot strikes out eight on Wednesday vs. Mariners
    Ryan Pepiot recorded eight strikeouts and allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings on Wednesday in a no-decision against the Mariners.

    Advice: Pepiot carried a shutout into the sixth inning before being lifted from the contest at 88 pitches (54 strikes) after issuing a one-out walk to J.P. Crawford. He wound up being charged with that run when reliever Shawn Armstrong served up a three-run homer to Cal Raleigh later in the frame. The -year-old righty generated 15 swinging strikes, including nine on his four-seam fastball alone, and finished with a respectable 29 percent CSW. It was a nice effort from Pepiot considering he failed to complete five frames in each of his previous two outings. He’ll bring a 4.40 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 83/25 K/BB ratio across 71 2/3 innings (14 starts) into a strong road matchup on Wednesday against the Royals. Rotoworld Today, 1:20 pm
    Ryan PepiotTB - SP,RP
    L, 2-5 vs SEA
     
  • Denied two-start week
    Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Bello won't start Sunday's game against the Padres as previously planned and will instead make his next start Wednesday in Miami, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

    Advice: Heading into the week, Bello had been lined up for two starts, but the Red Sox are opting to give him more time off before his next turn after he was blasted for seven earned runs on five hits and three walks over 2.1 innings in Tuesday's loss to the Blue Jays. According to Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald, Cora clarified that Bello isn't dealing with any sort of physical issue, and the right-hander's extra time off between starts is designed to help him better identify the source of the control problems that have become a recurring concern. Bello has issued multiple walks in seven straight starts and in all but one of his last 12 outings. Rotowire.com Today, 1:15 pm
     
  • Red Sox push Brayan Bello’s next start back
    Red Sox’ manager Alex Cora told reporters on Wednesday that Brayan Bello’s next start will be pushed back until Wednesday.

    Advice: Cora noted that the team wanted to give the 25-year-old hurler a couple of extra days to work on some of the issues that have plagued him recently. Josh Winckowski will start in his place on Sunday against the Padres in San Diego. Rotoworld Today, 1:12 pm
     
  • Fans eight in no-decision
    Pepiot allowed one run on one hit and two walks while striking out eight batters over 5.1 innings in a no-decision against Seattle on Wednesday.

    Advice: Pepiot only allowed three runners to reach in a solid showing that was spoiled by his bullpen after he was pulled in the sixth. For the fourth time this season, he struck out eight or more batters in a start. Despite the good strikeout numbers, the 26-year-old struggles to get deep into games as he has yet to pitch past the sixth inning in 14 starts. He'll take a 4.40 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP into his next start in Kansas City. Rotowire.com Today, 12:43 pm
    Ryan PepiotTB - SP,RP
    L, 2-5 vs SEA
     
  • Keider Montero hit hard by Phillies on Wednesday
    Keider Montero was hit hard in a losing effort against the Phillies on Wednesday afternoon, giving up five runs on five hits over his 4 1/3 innings of work.

    Advice: The 23-year-old hurler walked three while racking up six strikeouts on the afternoon. Brandon Marsh did most of the damage against him, crushing a two-run homer in the fourth inning and adding a two-run single in the fifth. It wasn’t all bat for Montero though, as he generated a whopping 18 swings and misses on 94 pitches on the afternoon — nine of those on his slider — while registering a CSW of 28 percent. It’s highly likely that Montero will head back to Triple-A Toledo following this spot start. Rotoworld Today, 12:42 pm
  • Sharp in seventh win
    Kirby (7-5) allowed one run on four hits while striking out seven over six innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Rays.

    Advice: Kirby had his way with the Rays on Wednesday as he managed to get through six innings for his third win in his last five starts. Kirby has been on a tear, allowing two runs or less in six consecutive starts, posting a 1.70 ERA with three walks and 40 strikeouts in that span. He has the third best ERA in MLB since May and he'll look to keep it going in a tough matchup vs the Orioles next week. Rotowire.com Today, 12:13 pm
     
  • Cruises through latest rehab start
    Gray (elbow) struck out four and allowed one run on four hits and zero walks over six innings in his rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Rochester.

    Advice: Gray held Indianapolis scoreless through five frames before letting in a run in the sixth, but the right-hander still delivered the lengthiest and best of his four rehab starts since starting his minor-league assignment June 9. He covered 73 pitches in Tuesday's outing, a workload that should put him in line to handle a traditional starter's role when he returns from the 15-day injured list. Gray appears likely to rejoin the Washington rotation Monday or Tuesday against the Mets, as the Nationals are listing Patrick Corbin as the starter for Sunday's series finale in Tampa Bay, per Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com. Rotowire.com Today, 12:09 pm