MLB Player News

Borucki (finger) threw 23 pitches during his recent live batting practice session, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Borucki sustained a blister on his pitching hand last week, but he seems close to returning after throwing live BP. It's not yet clear whether he'll require a rehab assignment, but he's eligible to return from the injured list as early as Saturday.

Wells (elbow) reported to the Orioles' spring facility in Sarasota, Fla. on Wednesday to begin his rehab program, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

The Orioles placed Wells on the 10-day injured list last weekend with an elbow injury that was later revealed to be a Grade 1 UCL strain, and the expectation is that he'll be sidelined for 8-to-12 weeks. As such, Wells is likely several weeks away from throwing, so he may be limited to conditioning work in the early stages of his stint at extended spring training.

The Blue Jays optioned Vasquez to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

After tossing 22 pitches in his one-inning relief appearance in Tuesday's 9-1 loss to the Yankees, Vasquez might not have been available out of the bullpen for Wednesday's series finale. As a result, the Blue Jays opted to move Vasquez off the active roster and replace him with Casey Lawrence, whose contract was selected from Buffalo.

The Blue Jays selected Lawrence's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Lawrence has performed well out of the Buffalo rotation this season, logging a 2.82 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in 22.1 innings over four starts with the affiliate. He'll settle into the bullpen for the Blue Jays, with his addition giving the big club a fresh arm who's capable of providing some length. Infielder Gosuke Katoh was designated for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster for Lawrence.

Pressly (knee) tossed a perfect inning out of the bullpen in his relief appearance for Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday.

According to Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle, Pressly threw well during the outing and sported a fastball that hovered around 93-to-94 miles per hour, but because he only needed six pitches to retire the side, the sample might not have been big enough to convince the Astros he's back to optimal health. The right-hander played catch Wednesday at Minute Maid Park, so the Astros will presumably check back in with him Thursday before determining whether to send him back to Sugar Land for another rehab appearance or to activate him from the 10-day injured list in advance of their series opener with the Tigers.

Alexander (elbow) recently underwent an MRI that came back clean, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Alexander landed on the 15-day injured list Monday due to a left elbow sprain, but it's encouraging that he doesn't appear to be dealing with any structural damage. The southpaw had been pitching through pain for about a month, and it impacted his mechanics and may have contributed to his 8.76 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in 12.1 innings over his first four starts of the year. Although the results of his MRI brought good news, a timetable for Alexander's return isn't yet known.

Burke (3-0) was credited with Tuesday's win, allowing three hits and striking out one over 2.1 scoreless innings in a 6-4 victory over Philadelphia.

Burke followed starter Jon Gray, who was pulled after three innings and 60 pitches in his first start back off the injured list. A starter in the minor leagues, Burke is filling a long-relief role in the majors. Tuesday's effort was the sixth time in eight appearances he's logged at least six outs. The left-hander's struck out 21 compared to just three walks over 14 innings.

Krehbiel (1-3) allowed three runs on two hits and a walk in one inning, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Twins.

Krehbiel took his second loss in the last four outings after allowing a three-run home run to Ryan Jeffers in the sixth inning. The right-handed reliever saw his ERA shoot up to 3.27 with a 1.18 WHIP and 9:5 K:BB across 11 innings this season. He's still likely to see work in close games, but he's shown a little less stability lately after starting the year well.

Trivino (0-2) took the loss during Tuesday's 10-7 defeat at the hands of the Rays, allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning.

After Tampa Bay tied the game in the top of the ninth, Trivino was brought in and got the final out of the inning. He stayed in for the 10th and permitted five Rays to reach base while recording only one out to fall in line for the loss. This was the 30-year-old's first appearance since April 16 due to a stint on the COVID-19 injured list and the rust clearly showed. As Oakland continues its youth movement, Trivino's days as the closer could be numbered.

Kittredge (2-0) got the win during Tuesday's 10-7 victory against the Athletics, striking out one in a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

Kittredge entered a tie game in the ninth and made quick work of the bottom of Oakland's lineup. He fell in line for the victory when Tampa Bay hung a five spot in the top of the 10th inning. The 32-year-old now holds a 1.59 ERA and should continue to see high-leverage scenarios on a Rays team with big expectations.