MLB Player News

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Means (elbow) will make his first start of the season Saturday in Cincinnati, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Means was activated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, and now the Orioles have revealed the date for the left-hander's 2024 big-league debut. While Means pitched poorly for most of his rehab assignment, he was excellent in his final outing with Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, striking out eight over seven shutout innings while allowing just one hit and one walk. The southpaw got his pitch count up to 95 in that start, so he shouldn't have any workload concerns Saturday.

The Orioles reinstated Bradish (elbow) from the 15-day injured list and will have him start Thursday's game against the Yankees at Camden Yards.

Baltimore lost Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder) to the 15-day IL on Wednesday, but they'll add two pitchers back into the rotation this week with Bradish returning Thursday and John Means (elbow) expected to take the hill Friday or Saturday in Cincinnati. Bradish was diagnosed with a sprained UCL in his pitching elbow upon reporting to spring training, but he was able to avoid surgery and has seemingly bounced back from the injury after a lengthy rest and rehab period. He closed his three-start minor-league rehab assignment on a high note last Friday with Triple-A Norfolk, striking out six over five innings and allowing one run on five hits and one walk. He built up to 77 pitches in that outing and should have only a light workload restriction in place Thursday when he makes his 2024 Orioles debut. Bradish emerged as arguably the Orioles' top starter in his second MLB season in 2023, logging a 2.83 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 168:44 K:BB across 168.2 innings.

Hancock (3-3) took the loss Wednesday, coughing up five runs (one earned) on five hits and four walks over 3.2 innings as the Mariners fell 5-2 to Atlanta. He struck out four.

The right-hander's own throwing error in the third inning led to the game's first run, while a Mitch Haniger misplay in the fourth set the stage for a four-run outburst by Atlanta. Hancock tossed 47 of 77 pitches for strikes before exiting as he failed to complete four innings for the second time in six starts. The 24-year-old has had his moments in the Seattle rotation, but he could be headed to the bullpen or the minors soon with Bryan Woo (elbow) closing in on his return. Hancock should get at least one more turn while Woo finishes getting stretched out and will take a 4.75 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 23:9 K:BB through 30.1 innings into his next outing, which could come early next week in Minnesota.

Stripling (1-5) picked up the win Wednesday, scattering three hits over six scoreless innings in a 4-0 victory over the Pirates. He struck out two without walking a batter.

It's been a long drought for Stripling, who prior to Wednesday had collected his last big-league win on the final day of the 2022 season while with the Blue Jays. The quality start was the second of the 2024 campaign for the right-hander, and he's allowed three runs or less in four straight outings. Despite his poor record, Stripling will take a respectable 4.24 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB through 40.1 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come at home early next week against the Rangers.

Bassitt (2-5) took the loss Wednesday, giving up three runs on four hits and a walk over six innings as the Blue Jays fell 6-1 to the Royals. He struck out four.

The veteran righty took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, but a leadoff double by Kyle Isbel kicked off a three-run frame for Kansas City, and with Seth Lugo also pitching extremely well, Bassitt had no margin for error. He tossed 62 of 92 pitches for strikes in his third quality start of the season, but Bassitt will carry a shaky 5.45 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 34:18 K:BB through 36.1 innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Philadelphia.

Lugo (5-1) picked up the win Wednesday in a 6-1 victory over the Blue Jays, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out eight.

The 34-year-old right-hander generated an impressive 35 called or swinging strikes over 101 pitches as he baffled Toronto hitters. The quality start was Lugo's sixth in seven trips to the mound, and the two-year, $30 million contract he signed in December is looking like an absolute bargain for the Royals. Lugo will take a 1.60 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 31:11 K:BB through 45 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Brewers.

Verlander pitched seven innings in a no-decision against the Guardians on Wednesday, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out two.

Verlander allowed the leadoff man to reach in four of his seven innings of work but managed to limit the damage to only two runs, both of which came across in the top of the fifth. The veteran right-hander struggled to get ahead in the count for much of the contest and has now issued at least three walks in back-to-back starts, though he's still held opposing teams to two or fewer runs in all three outings to open the campaign. Wednesday also marked Verlander's first start this season in which he's gone at least seven innings.

McKenzie did not factor into the decision in a win over the Astros on Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over seven innings while striking out six.

McKenzie was highly effective Wednesday despite getting down in the count early and often, striking out at least six batters for the third consecutive start, with five of those strikeouts coming on his curveball. The right-hander issued only one free pass in the contest, which marked a season best, while also going seven innings for the first time in the early campaign. McKenzie has not allowed more than two runs in any of his last three starts after surrendering a season-high five runs against the Yankees back on April 13.

Heaney (0-4) took the loss against the Nationals on Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits while striking out four over seven innings.

Heaney looked sharp over his seven innings of work, with the exception of the second inning when he allowed back-to-back hits with one out, which led to Washington's lone run coming home. The lefty would allow only two singles from that point on before being tagged with his fourth loss of the season. It's been a tough go for Heaney to begin the campaign as the Rangers have now lost all six games that he's started, despite him allowing three or fewer runs in four of those outings. On a positive note, he's posted an 11:0 K:BB over his last two starts, going six or more innings in each of those games.

Bradley (pectoral) will throw his second rehab outing with Triple-A Durham on Saturday or Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Bradley was sharp in his first rehab appearance and ramped up to 65 pitches while completing five scoreless innings of work. If he can increase his workload during his weekend start, it's possible that he could be activated from the injured list by mid-May.