MLB Player News

The Red Sox optioned Winckowski to Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday.

As expected, Winckowski's stint in the big leagues lasted just one game, as Boston summoned him from the minors to start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader with the Orioles when the team required a temporary sixth member of the rotation. The 23-year-old right-hander was handed the loss in his MLB debut after surrendering four earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four over three innings.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said he expects Winder (shoulder) to return from the 15-day injured list at some point next week, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Winder was cleared to resume throwing over the weekend and could head out on a rehab assignment within a few days if he experiences no issues with his shoulder while throwing off a mound and facing hitters. Winder could have a starting role waiting for him when he returns if Sonny Gray's pectoral issue results in a trip to the IL.

Baker will be the Orioles' starting pitcher for Tuesday's contest versus the Mariners in what's expected to be a bullpen game, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Baker will draw his second start of the season, but he's unlikely to pitch more than once through the order before being pulled from the contest. In his last start May 12 in St. Louis, the right-hander pitched 2.1 scoreless frames, allowing one hit while striking out three. On the season, Baker owns a 4.66 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 21 punchouts over 19.1 innings.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Vest (illness) is expected to be activated from the COVID-19-related injured list Wednesday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Vest tested positive for COVID-19 on May 20, but he's since cleared all protocols and made a successful rehab appearance Monday for Triple-A Toledo, retiring the side in a perfect 10-pitch, 10-strike inning. Before landing on the COVID-19-related IL, Vest turned in a 2.12 ERA and 0.65 WHIP with 22 punchouts over 17 innings for Detroit.

Tapia, just promoted from Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday, fired a perfect ninth inning in a loss to the Astros on Monday.

The journeyman reliever had to work a bit for his outs -- he fired 20 pitches overall during his one frame and induced eight foul balls -- but he got through his debut frame for Oakland unscathed. Tapia has enjoyed success in each of his prior big-league stints with the team and had posted a solid 3.24 ERA at Triple-A Las Vegas despite the hitter-friendly environment of the Pacific Coast League, so he could develop into a solid mid-to-later-inning option with a fair share of hold opportunities over time.

Puk allowed an earned run on a solo home run over two-thirds of an inning in a loss to the Astros on Monday.

Facing Yordan Alvarez in a same-handed matchup in the eighth inning, Puk conceded a 444-foot solo shot to right center that accounted for the final run of the afternoon. Puk still carries an excellent 1.37 ERA and 1.07 WHIP, but he's now notably given up an earned run in both of his last two outings after going 12 straight appearances without being scored on from April 14 to May 23.

Sands was called up from Triple-A St. Paul and will start Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader versus the Tigers, Megan Ryan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Sands will operate as the Twins' 27th man and is officially set to make his first career start in the big leagues Tuesday evening. The right-hander has struggled this season in Triple-A, producing a 7.23 ERA and 1.59 WHIP with 21 strikeouts over 18.2 innings in five starts and six appearances overall. Additionally, Sands has tossed four frames with the Twins in 2022, surrendering three runs.

Bednar (2-1) allowed two earned runs on four hits and a walk while striking out four across two innings to earn the win Monday against the Dodgers.

Bednar entered the game in the eighth inning and was tasked with preserving a one-run lead. However, he surrendered three hits -- including a pair of doubles -- to allow the Dodgers to take a one-run lead. After the Pirates rallied in the ninth frame, Bednar remained in the game and worked around another extra-base knock to secure his second win of the season. The effort ended a stretch of eight scoreless appearances for Bednar, though he still has an excellent 1.38 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 35:5 K:BB across 26 innings for the season.

Walter was promoted to Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Walter, a left-hander selected in the 26th round of the 2019 draft, has seen his stock rise rapidly since 2021. After the pandemic wiped out the 2020 minor-league season, Walter posted a 2.92 ERA over 25 games (14 starts) between to stops in the minors. He opened 2022 at Double-A Portland and has a 2.88 ERA with 68 strikeouts and just three walks over nine starts, spanning 50 innings. His fastball tops out at 95 mph, and he supplements that pitch with a changeup and slider.

Bukauskas (shoulder) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session May 27, Jake Rill and Jack Sommers of MLB.com report.

Bukauskas is working his way back from a Grade 2 teres major strain sustained in mid-March and is currently on the 60-day injured list. It's similar to an injury teammate Taylor Clarke had last season, which sidelined him for more than seven weeks.