MLB Player News

Eflin (1-4) took the loss Wednesday against the Brewers, allowing three runs on six hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out six.

Eflin allowed a two-run double to William Contreras in the third inning before allowing a solo homer to Willy Adames in the sixth. The 30-year-old Eflin has now been stuck with a loss in consecutive starts -- he's allowed seven earned runs over 11.2 innings in that span. Eflin's ERA is now up to 4.17 with a 1.17 WHIP and 36:4 K:BB in seven starts this year. He'll look to get back on track in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week against the White Sox.

Maeda (1-1) earned the win Wednesday against St. Louis, allowing one run on four hits over six innings. He struck out five.

A Willson Contreras solo home run in the fourth inning was the lone mark against Maeda on Tuesday as the veteran right-hander cruised to his first win with the Tigers. After a brutal start to the year, Maeda's now allowed just one run on seven hits and no walks in his last two outings (11 innings). He's lowered his ERA to 5.02 with a 1.22 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB across six starts this season. Maeda will look to keep his momentum going in his next outing, currently lined up for early next week in Cleveland.

The Orioles reinstated Means (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Though manager Brandon Hyde had already noted Monday that Means was on track to rejoin the rotation for this weekend's series in Cincinnati, the Orioles activated him early since the southpaw's 30-day minor-league rehab window officially came to an end. The Orioles placed Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder) on the 15-day IL in a corresponding move, so Means' arrival means that the team should have room in the rotation for at least one of Albert Suarez and Cole Irvin, or even both pitchers if Hyde elects to go with a six-man rotation. Means struggled mightily through the first five starts of his rehab stint with Triple-A Norfolk (13.89 ERA, 2.31 WHIP in 11.2 innings), but he closed his minor-league assignment in dominant fashion Sunday, striking out eight over seven shutout innings and allowing just one hit and one walk. He tossed 95 pitches (61 strikes) in the outing and is unlikely to face any major restrictions when he makes his 2024 Orioles debut, likely Friday or Saturday.

The Orioles placed Rodriguez on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right shoulder inflammation, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Rodriguez showed no signs of being hindered by an injury in his last start against the Yankees on Monday, striking out three over 5.2 scoreless innings. However, the right-hander's shoulder is evidently bothering him enough that he will miss a least the next two weeks of action. John Means (forearm) was activated from the 15-day IL in a corresponding move and will replace Rodriguez on the 26-man active roster and in the rotation.

Manoah (shoulder) struck out 12 batters over six innings in a rehab start Tuesday for Triple-A Buffalo. He gave up one earned run on two hits and two walks.

The 12 strikeouts were a new career high for Manoah at the professional level, and the dominant outing offers hope that the right-hander may have finally turned the corner after struggling mightily since the start of the 2023 season with his control, command and velocity. Though Manoah was placed on the 15-day injured list in late March with right shoulder inflammation, the injury doesn't seem to be a concern at this stage, as the Blue Jays have just been waiting for him to perform at a level that warrants a return to the big-league rotation. He certainly looked big-league ready Tuesday, as he spotted 62 of his 92 pitches for strikes while sporting a sinker that maxed out at 95.9 mph, according to Sportsnet.ca. With No. 5 starter Yariel Rodriguez (spine) joining Bowden Francis (forearm) on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, the Blue Jays have an opening in the rotation for Sunday's game in Nationals, and Manoah looks like he could be called upon to fill the void. While Manoah would still profile as a risky streaming option if he gets the nod Sunday, his prior success in the majors before last season at the very least makes him an intriguing pickup if he's on the waiver wire.

Criswell (2-1) picked up the win in Tuesday's 4-0 victory over the Giants, scattering two hits and a walk over five scoreless innings while striking out four.

The right-hander faced only one batter over the minimum thanks to two double plays, exiting after 79 pitches (46 strikes). Criswell has tossed 10 straight shutout innings since moving into the rotation, and while his 1.65 ERA and 0.98 WHIP aren't sustainable, the 27-year-old may be emerging as a solid starting option. He lines up to make his next start on the road this weekend in Minnesota.

Castillo (3-4) earned the win over Atlanta on Tuesday, tossing seven shutout innings while allowing just three hits and a walk. He struck out seven.

Castillo was dominant once again en route to his third consecutive win. He registered 20 whiffs with 10 of those coming from his fastball and did not give up an extra-base knock. It's safe to say that Castillo is rounding back into ace form. Over his last four starts, he's posted a 1.38 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 31:4 K:BB in 26 innings while allowing a .174 opponent batting average over that span. The 31-year-old will look to keep it rolling in a projected road start against the red-hot Twins next week.

Gray (1-1) earned the win in Tuesday's 7-1 victory over Washington after allowing one earned run on three hits while striking out three batters across eight innings.

Gray gave up an RBI single to Luis Garcia in the first inning to put the Rangers behind early, but that would end up being the only blemish on his record. His three strikeouts weren't consistent with the rates fantasy managers have come to expect out of the 32-year-old righty, but he still managed to completely shut down the Nationals' bats nonetheless. Ever since being lit up for five runs in 3.2 innings during his season debut in March, Gray has posted a 1.24 ERA alongside a 33:8 K:BB across 29 innings. He'll look to extend his hot streak during his next start -- tentatively scheduled to come in Kansas City on Sunday.

Soroka allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three batters across 4.1 innings during Tuesday's 6-5 loss to Minnesota. He did not factor into the decision.

Soroka pitched extremely well to begin the game, not allowing a runner to reach base until the fourth inning. However, things fell apart in the fifth when Willi Castro lined an RBI triple to left field followed by an RBI double from Kyle Farmer, at which point Soroka was relieved with the game tied at 2-2. The 26-year-old right-hander still sports a gaudy 6.48 ERA and 1.62 WHIP through seven starts, though he's allowed four earned runs across 9.1 frames over his last two outings. Still, he remains a poor fantasy option heading into his next start -- tentatively scheduled for Sunday against the Cardinals.

Woods Richardson came away with a no-decision Tuesday against the White Sox, giving up two runs (one earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out two batters across 3.2 innings.

Woods Richardson was fortunate to only surrender two runs Tuesday after allowing nine men to reach base in less than four innings, but an Eloy Jimenez RBI single and a fielding error from Carlos Santana still put the Twins in a 2-0 hole to begin the game. Woods Richardson now carries a 2.45 ERA and 1.36 WHIP across 14.2 innings through three starts, and he will likely get a chance to improve upon his shortest outing of the season Monday against the Mariners.