MLB Player News

The Orioles recalled Baker from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday.

Baker had spent all of 2024 at Norfolk until now and pitched to a 6.55 ERA, albeit with 30 strikeouts across 22 frames. He was a useful middle reliever for Baltimore from 2022-23, collecting a 3.53 ERA and 127:50 K:BB over 114.2 innings.

The Orioles placed Coulombe on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with left elbow inflammation.

Coulombe had given no indication that something might be wrong, having turned in five straight scoreless appearances. It's not clear how long he might be out, but his absence will be felt in the Orioles' bullpen, where he's posted a 2.42 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and 28:3 K:BB over 26 innings.

Stanek (4-1) got the win over the White Sox on Monday, allowing two hits and recording three strikeouts over a scoreless ninth inning.

Stanek got a couple of days to rest his arm and clear his head after taking a loss against the Royals in a 24-pitch outing Saturday, and the veteran was able to bounce back during a laborious but successful ninth inning. The right-hander worked around a pair of singles he allowed to Oscar Colas and Nicky Lopez by recording swinging strikeouts of Korey Lee, Corey Julks and Luis Robert. Stanek then became the pitcher of record when Cal Raleigh slugged a walk-off grand slam in the home half of the final frame, capping off the reliever's sixth scoreless effort in the last seven outings with a victory.

The Twins optioned Castillo to Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday.

Castillo allowed just two runs over seven relief innings during his brief time with the Twins, but that came with a 3:7 K:BB. The veteran reliever will head back to Triple-A to clear room on the active roster for right-hander Louie Varland, who was called up from St. Paul to make a spot start Tuesday against the Rockies.

Tonkin earned a save against the Royals on Monday, walking one and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

Tonkin was called upon to protect a 4-2 lead in the ninth inning and worked around a walk to secure his first save of the season and second of his career. Usual closer Clay Holmes pitched three times in the past four days, so it was a rare appearance in the role for Tonkin. He now owns a 2.45 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 30:11 K:BB ratio in 29.1 combined innings pitched for the Twins, Mets and Yankees in 2024.

Castillo will be optioned to Triple-A St. Paul prior to Tuesday's game against the Rockies, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Castillo issued one walk and struck out one in a scoreless frame in Monday's 5-0 win, but he'll be rewarded with a demotion. He'll be sent to the minors with the Twins needing to clear a spot for Louie Varland, who is scheduled to be called up from St. Paul to start Tuesday's game.

Kimbrel picked up the save in Monday's 5-2 victory over Tampa Bay. He pitched a scoreless inning allowing no hits and one walk with two strikeouts.

Trouble seemed to be brewing in the ninth for Kimbrel as he issued a leadoff walk to Amed Rosario, his first free pass allowed since May 8. However, the veteran closer collected himself, punching out two batters before wrapping up the Baltimore win by inducing a Jose Caballero popup. Including this effort, Kimbrel has pitched 11 consecutive outings without allowing an earned run, firing 10 innings with a 0.30 WHIP and 12:1 K:BB.

The Royals optioned Klein to Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

Kansas City will swap Klein out of its bullpen for right-hander Dan Altavilla, whose contract was selected from Omaha ahead of Monday's game against the Yankees. Klein was unlikely to be available out of the bullpen for at least a couple of days anyway after he had given up two runs on six hits and two walks over 2.2 innings between relief appearances Friday and Sunday versus the Mariners.

Muller (shoulder) began a throwing program Thursday, MLB.com reports.

The next step for Muller will be to progress to throwing off a mound, but a timetable for such has yet to be established. The right-hander appears to be making fairly steady progress, however, so he could be set for activation well before the end of June.

Erceg (forearm) threw a successful bullpen session Sunday and is in line to be activated during the Athletics' road trip that begins Monday, MLB.com reports.

Erceg came out of his 20-pitch session feeling healthy, his second bullpen in a span of four days. With the right-hander eligible to come off the injured list Wednesday, it's possible he's activated that same day, if not soon thereafter.