MLB Player News

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Means (forearm) will make another rehab start during the upcoming week, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Means made the third start of his rehab assignment this past Thursday with Triple-A Norfolk, striking out three over three innings while allowing two runs on two hits and two walks. The lefty tossed 61 pitches (35 strikes) in the start, so he may need only one or two more outings in the minors before getting cleared to return from the 15-day injured list. Once activated, Means will most likely join the rotation as a replacement for Cole Irvin, as the two southpaws' pitching schedules are currently aligned.

Lorenzen (neck) was activated from the 15-day injured list by the Rangers on Monday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Lorenzen is set to make his Rangers and season debut with a start Monday in Detroit. While technically on the IL with a neck injury, Lorenzen making three rehab starts had as much or more to do with knocking the rust off after he didn't sign until late March. He held a 6.35 ERA and 13:9 K:BB over 11.1 innings in those rehab outings and doesn't make for a very desirable fantasy start Monday.

Bradish (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Bowie on Tuesday.

It had been reported that Bradish was set to start a rehab assignment this week, and now the exact day and location has been revealed. He's slated for 2-to-3 innings and/or 40-to-50 pitches Tuesday, per Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com. The right-hander's rehab from a partial UCL tear has come along as well as could be expected, but it's basically the start of spring training for him, so he could need most, if not all, of his 30-day rehab window before rejoining the Orioles' rotation.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday that he's considering a bullpen game Thursday versus the Guardians rather than starting Criswell, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

It's Criswell's turn in the rotation, and while he could still pitch multiple innings Thursday, he might not be deployed as a traditional starter. Cora noted that any pitcher that ultimately starts Thursday will depend on who is needed in relief over the next few days. Criswell allowed two runs over four innings in his first start against the Angels on Saturday.

Bradley (pectoral) will throw three innings Wednesday at the Rays' extended spring training facility, MLB.com reports.

Bradley threw a two-inning live batting practice session Friday and will now take the next step in his recovery. He'll need to increase his pitch count and stamina before returning, though he could be activated from the 15-day injured list in the first half of May.

Castillo (0-4) took the loss Sunday against the Cubs, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits in six innings. He struck out nine.

Castillo had his best outing of the early season but failed to get much run support to put him in line for a win. The Cubs scored on in the opening frame before Michael Busch connected on a no-doubter to right field in the fourth to give them a 3-0 cushion. Still, it was the first time Castillo managed to reach six innings this year and issue zero free passes while striking out a season-high nine batters, as he seems to be trending in the right direction. He'll be in search of his first win his next time out, which currently projects to be on the road against the Rockies.

Wood did not factor into the decision, allowing four runs on seven hits and four walks over 4.1 innings during Sunday's 7-6 win over the Nationals. He struck out four.

Wood needed 100 pitches to collect 13 outs, allowing 11 baserunners and four runs in the process. A Lane Thomas homer in the fifth left him on the hook for a three-run deficit, but the Oakland bats came to life in the sixth, providing six runs and rendering Wood with merely a no-decision. This is the fourth straight outing to start the season that Wood has failed to make it past five innings, and he now holds an 8.10 ERA and 2.10 WHIP over 16.2 innings through four starts. Those numbers are poor enough to label his hold on a spot in the starting rotation tenuous at best, even with a team like Oakland that could benefit from his veteran presence. His next start is tentatively scheduled to take place next weekend in Cleveland for a matchup with the Guardians.

Eovaldi (1-1) allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks over six innings to take the loss Sunday against the Astros. He struck out three.

Eovaldi had allowed just three runs over 18.2 innings over his first three starts, but the Astros lit him up for five over six innings Sunday. Eovaldi allowed a leadoff homer to Jose Altuve, then allowed a second solo shot to Altuve with one out in the third. The additional three runs were scored in the fourth as Eovaldi allowed five extra-base hits among his eight hits allowed. Despite the poor effort, Eovaldi's ERA remains solid at 2.92 as he heads into his next start, tentatively slated for next weekend on the road in a showdown against Atlanta.

Javier (2-0) allowed two runs on five hits and two walks to earn the win Sunday over the Rangers. He struck out five.

Javier needed just 89 pitches to complete seven innings, throwing 62 for strikes to earn the win in his longest outing of the season. Javier's command had been a bit shaky going into Sunday's outing, walking eight batters over 10.1 innings during his previous two starts. However, he's provided a much-needed boost to the short-handed Astros rotation, allowing just four earned runs for a 1.54 ERA over his first four starts spanning 23.1 innings. He'll have a chance to improve upon those numbers even further in his next start as he's tentatively slated for a weekend matchup against the Nationals in Washington.

Alexander (1-0) allowed two runs on six hits and a walk over six innings Sunday, striking out four and earning a win over the Giants.

After Shawn Armstrong threw two frames, Alexander took the mound in the third inning. Alexander allowed one run through his first four innings before coughing up a solo homer in the seventh. It was his longest outing of 2024 and the first time he's allowed fewer than four runs. He lowered his ERA to 6.46 with a 12:5 K:BB through 15.1 frames. Alexander will likely continue working behind an opener or as a back-end starter.