MLB Player News

The Orioles placed Wells on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation.

The assignment to the 15-day injured list is retroactive to April 13. Wells allowed four runs on six hits and a walk over four innings with three strikeouts in his last outing Friday. It was his second loss of the season as he fell to 0-2. The 29-year-old was supposed to start Wednesday, so the Orioles will have to make another move or fill in the spot with someone on the roster.

The White Sox designated Cousin for assignment Tuesday.

Cousin was sent to Double-A Birmingham to begin the 2024 season, but he has yet to make his first appearance of the year. The 26-year-old righty will likely clear waivers and remain in the Barons' rotation for most of the season.

Urquidy (forearm) threw off the front slope of the mound Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

It's a big step as Urquidy continues to work his way back from a right forearm strain. He will progress to facing hitters and eventually go out on a rehab assignment, although it's not clear yet when that might happen. A Houston rotation that's been hit hard by injury could use Urquidy, but the team won't rush the right-hander.

Cole (elbow) is expected to throw from up to 75 feet Tuesday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Cole has been playing catch for about a week, throwing from 60 feet on flat ground. He didn't throw Monday but is slated to resume play catch Tuesday, moving out an additional 15 feet. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner appears to be making steady progress in his recovery from nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow. He's eligible to come off the 60-day IL in late May.

Whitley was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land by the Astros on Tuesday.

It's the first stint in the big leagues for Whitley, who has permitted four runs with a 4:2 K:BB over three innings for Sugar Land this season. The former top prospect has moved to relief this season following years of injuries and control problems.

Arrighetti was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land by the Astros on Tuesday.

Arrighetti was much better Monday against Atlanta in his second major-league start than he was in his first outing, allowing two runs while striking out five over four innings. However, with Justin Verlander (shoulder) expected back later this week, Arrighetti will now slide back into the Sugar Land rotation.

The Astros will recall Whitley from Triple-A Sugar Land prior to Tuesday's game versus Atlanta, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Whitley was once one of the top pitching prospects in baseball before his career got sidetracked by numerous injuries and control problems. He got a late start to the season at Sugar Land because of a finger injury but returned to make three appearances, allowing four runs with a 4:2 K:BB over three innings. Whitley will work as a reliever for a bullpen that's in need of a fresh arm.

Gipson-Long (forearm/groin) will receive further medical evaluation before the Tigers determine the next steps in his rehab program, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Gipson-Long was on a minor-league rehab assignment with Single-A Lakeland while coming back from a groin injury, but he was pulled off the assignment last week after experiencing right forearm tightness. That he continues to be evaluated isn't a great sign that he'll be able to return to the mound in the near future, but the Tigers should have more clarification on his status later this week.

Kirby (2-2) earned the win over Cincinnati on Monday, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks while striking out six batters over six innings.

Kirby was pounded for 13 runs over 7.2 frames across his previous two starts coming into Monday, but he managed to get back on the right track with a quality start and a victory. The right-hander induced 12 whiffs among his 60 strikes and racked up six punchouts after notching just five over his previous two outings combined. Kirby still has a poor 6.64 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 20.1 innings on the season, but he has two quality starts among his four appearances.

Stripling (0-4) took the loss against St. Louis on Monday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four batters over 5.2 innings.

Though Stripling picked up his fourth straight loss to begin the campaign -- tied with Luis Castillo for most in the league -- he at least managed to improve upon the six-run, 11-hit performance he posted his previous time on the mound. The right-hander gave up a season-low six hits Monday and came one out away from a quality start, but he garnered only one run of support from Oakland's offense. Stripling has given the A's decent length this season by averaging nearly six innings per start, but he's well off the fantasy radar in standard leagues given his poor overall numbers.