MLB Player News
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Juaron Watts-Brown SP | BAL
Orioles' Juaron Watts-Brown: Shipped to Baltimore
Watts-Brown was acquired by the Orioles from the Blue Jays on Tuesday in exchange for reliever Seranthony Dominguez, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
The right-hander was a third-round pick in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft and is being shipped out at the deadline in order to improve the bullpen. Watts-Brown has made 11 starts at the Double-A level this season and has a 3.48 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 53:26 K:BB across 52.1 innings.
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Easton Lucas RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Easton Lucas: Demoted after loss
Lucas (3-3) was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo after being charged with the loss in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Orioles. He gave up four runs on four hits with two walks and one strikeout over 2.2 innings.
It was a long day for Toronto's pitching staff, which surrendered 16 runs on 19 hits, including four homers. It was the fifth start in six MLB appearances this year for Lucas, who has a 6.66 ERA and 23:12 K:BB across 24.1 innings. Paxton Schultz was called up to provide bullpen help for Tuesday's nightcap.
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Rich Hill SP | KC
Royals' Rich Hill: Designated for assignment
The Royals designated Hill for assignment Tuesday.
Hill made two starts for Kansas City and really struggled in the second one Monday versus Atlanta, walking six while allowing four runs over four innings. The 45-year-old southpaw will likely pass through waivers unclaimed, at which point he must decide whether to pitch at Triple-A Omaha or become a free agent.
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Richard Fitts SP | STL
Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Demoted after another rough start
The Red Sox optioned Fitts to Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Fitts lasted only four innings in Monday's loss to the Twins and has consistently struggled to pitch deep into games for Boston. The Red Sox have not revealed who will take Fitts' spot in the rotation, but it seems likely that it will be someone they acquire before Thursday's trade deadline.
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Alex Cobb SP | DET
Tigers' Alex Cobb: Resuming rehab assignment
Cobb (hip) will resume a rehab assignment with High-A West Michigan on Tuesday, broadcaster Dan Hasty reports.
Cobb made three previous rehab starts from late May to mid-June but had to be pulled off the rehab assignment due to renewed soreness in both hips. The veteran right-hander will attempt to make it back to the Tigers at some point during the final two months of the season, but it's no safe bet that it will happen.
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Lance McCullers SP | HOU
Astros' Lance McCullers: Not ready for mound work
The Astros announced Monday that McCullers (finger) has resumed playing catch, but he has yet to begin throwing off a mound, Matthew Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Though McCullers isn't expected to be in line for an extended absence after landing on the 15-day injured list a week ago due to a blister on his pitching hand, he doesn't appear to be on pace to be activated when first eligible next Monday. McCullers is one of seven Astros starters currently on the IL, but Houston should get some reinforcement for its rotation soon since four of those pitchers are in the midst of rehab assignments.
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Keeler Morfe SP | BAL
Orioles' Keeler Morfe: Makes return from IL
Single-A Delmarva reinstated Morfe (finger) from its 7-day injured list Sunday.
Morfe is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against Lynchburg in what will be his first appearance for Delmarva since April 18. The 19-year-old was shelved for more than three months due to a right ring finger sprain, but he was cleared to rejoin the Delmarva rotation after turning in a 2.84 ERA and 1.89 WHIP while striking out 12 over 6.1 innings across three rehab outings in the rookie-level Florida Complex League.
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Grayson Rodriguez SP | LAA
Orioles' Grayson Rodriguez: Seeking opinions on injured elbow
Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino said Tuesday that Rodriguez is receiving multiple opinions on his injured right elbow, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Rodriguez was sent for imaging on the elbow more than a week ago, but a decision on his next steps haven't been made because the Orioles are being thorough in his evaluation. The right-hander has been shelved all season with lat and elbow issues and has been shut down since suffering a setback with his elbow earlier this month.
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Chayce McDermott P | BAL
Orioles' Chayce McDermott: Moves past elbow issue
McDermott (elbow) rejoined the Triple-A Norfolk rotation Saturday, striking out one over 1.1 innings while allowing five earned runs on four hits and two walks.
McDermott exited his final start before the All-Star break July 10 due to right elbow discomfort, but Norfolk never placed him on the injured list. Though McDermott ended up missing his first turn through the rotation of the second half, the right-hander made enough progress in his recovery from the injury to take the hill over the weekend. Through 11 appearances (10 starts) with Norfolk this season, McDermott owns a 7.80 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 42:35 K:BB in 42.2 innings.
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Cade Povich SP | BAL
Orioles' Cade Povich: Another rehab start on tap
Povich (hip) is scheduled to make another rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Norfolk, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
After building up to 70 pitches and five innings in the fourth appearance of his rehab assignment this past Thursday for Norfolk, Povich looked to be an option to return from the 15-day injured list to start one game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Blue Jays, but the Orioles have instead called up righty Brandon Young from High-A Aberdeen to cover the bulk of the innings for the second game of the twin bill. Povich, meanwhile, will remain on assignment for Norfolk, and assuming he's able to get further stretched out Tuesday, he could be activated from the IL ahead of his next appearance. The Orioles don't appear to have room in the five-man rotation for Povich at the moment, but a spot could open up for the young lefty if Baltimore moves a starter ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.