MLB Player News

Pearson will start on Opening Day for Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, but he'll need to show he can work at least six innings consistently before he's considered for a promotion, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

The Jays could use some reinforcements in their rotation, but they aren't going to rush the young right-hander. Pearson tossed 65 pitches in his last appearance at the alternate training site, but his efficiency will be just as important as his stamina in determining when he rejoins Toronto's staff.

Martin (shoulder) is expected to have a brief rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett before returning to the major-league roster, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

It remains to be seen exactly when Martin's rehab outing will come and exactly when he'll be back on the active roster, but it appears as though he's closing in on a return. The righty was expected to be in the high-leverage mix this season but made just two appearances before being shut down with shoulder inflammation, which has now kept him sidelined for a full month.

Orioles director of player development Matt Blood said Akin (finger) will start Friday for Triple-A Norfolk, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.

While he was gearing up for the minor-league season at the Orioles' alternate site in Bowie, Akin sustained a gash on his left index finger that required stitches, but he appears to have bounced back quickly. He could face a limited pitch count in his 2021 debut Friday, but Akin should be an option to join the big club if the Orioles require another starter at some point this summer.

Junis (1-2) allowed five runs on four hits and a walk with two strikeouts over 1.2 innings to take the loss Monday versus Cleveland.

Junis' return to a bullpen role went terribly -- he allowed a two-run single to Franmil Reyes in the fifth inning and a three-run homer to Eddie Rosario in the sixth. The 28-year-old Junis now owns a 5.04 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB across 25 innings. He's unlikely to see high-leverage work out of the bullpen, which greatly diminishes his fantasy value.

Orioles director of player development Matt Blood said Tuesday that Baumann (elbow) will be held back at extended spring training in Florida for the start of the minor-league season while he manages arm discomfort, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Baumann was sidelined last September due to a right flexor strain, so he's presumably dealing with discomfort related to that injury. Blood suggested that Baumann isn't being shut down from his throwing program as a result of the setback, and the 25-year-old could be ready to pitch in games at Triple-A Norfolk by the end of the month. The right-hander impressed in his first taste of the upper minors in 2019, posting a 2.31 ERA over 13 outings at Double-A Bowie.

The Cubs have recalled Thompson from Triple-A Iowa to start the second game of the Tuesday's doubleheader with the Dodgers, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Thompson will be making his first big-league start in the second half of the twin bill, stepping into the rotation as a replacement for Jake Arrieta, who was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right thumb abrasion. After the doubleheader, the Cubs' upcoming schedule will allow the team to get by with a four-man rotation until at least May 18, so Thompson will most likely be returned to Iowa following his start. Thompson made his MLB debut over the weekend, covering an inning of relief in Sunday's loss to Cincinnati. With that in mind, he'll likely have a limited pitch count in Tuesday's start.

Valdez pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts to earn a save in Monday's 5-3 win over Seattle.

Valdez threw 10 pitches (nine strikes) to retire the side for his seventh save of the season. The 36-year-old right-hander has been solid this year with a 1.32 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB across 13.2 innings. He's now 7-for-9 in save chances, and he's also earned two wins in 12 outings.

Clase gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Monday to record his sixth save of the season in an 8-6 win over the Royals.

The 23-year-old kept his ERA at a pristine 0.00 with another strong outing. Clase does have one blown save on his ledger, but he's otherwise been sharp in his high-leverage role, posting a 14:3 K:BB through 13.1 innings.

Reyes walked two in a scoreless ninth inning Monday to record his eighth save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Mets.

The right-hander threw only eight of his 20 pitches for strikes in a nervous outing, but he was able to escape the jam he created. Reyes has yet to give up a run or blow a save through 14 appearances this season, but his 15:12 K:BB in 14.1 innings makes his position as closer perhaps a little more tenuous than his surface stats would indicate.

Puk (biceps) is slated to throw 30 pitches over two simulated innings in the bullpen Tuesday, the Associated Press reports.

The recovering southpaw threw a bullpen session Saturday that he apparently got through without setbacks, so he'll ramp up the volume Tuesday. Puk's current tenure on the injured list dates all the way back to April 7, so he may still need at least a couple of other throwing sessions, if not a rehab appearance or two, before he's deemed ready for activation.