MLB Player News

General manager Rick Hahn said Saturday that Velasquez could rejoin the rotation after Dallas Keuchel was designated for assignment, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Velasquez's first seven appearances of the season came as a starter, but he tossed three relief innings against the Red Sox on Tuesday. Even if the right-hander rejoins the rotation next week, he'll likely return to the bullpen once Lance Lynn (knee) returns from the injured list. Velasquez hasn't been particularly effective early in the season, as he's posted a 5.30 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 35.2 innings over eight appearances (seven starts). Davis Martin is also in the mix to take Keuchel's spot in the rotation.

Wentz (lower leg) will be called up as the Tigers' 27th man to start the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Twins, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Wentz exited Wednesday's start at Triple-A Toledo after he was hit on the shin by a comebacker, but the injury is apparently of no concern, as he's been cleared to make his second major-league start Tuesday. The southpaw struggled in his big-league debut against the Athletics on May 11, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out one over 2.2 innings.

Watkins (forearm) played catch from 70 feet Saturday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Although Watkins' throwing session Saturday didn't require much intensity, he said afterward that he didn't experience any pain and was only dealing with light stiffness. The right-hander is progressing in his recovery from a bruised right forearm, but it's not yet clear when he'll be able to return to game action.

Keuchel was designated for assignment by the White Sox on Saturday.

Keuchel signed a three-year, $55.5 million contract with Chicago prior to the 2020 season, and while he did give the team a 1.99 ERA in the first year of his deal, it's become apparent over the last two seasons that he just doesn't have it anymore. A 5.28 ERA last year was bad enough, but that figure ballooned to 7.88 through eight starts this season as he walked as many batters as he struck out. His formerly elite groundball rate also dipped to a merely good 50.8 percent, a career low. As a 34-year-old with that sort of recent track record and a fastball that averages 88.2 mph, he's unlikely to generate much interest on the open market and is all but guaranteed not to get claimed while a team still has to take on the entirety of his remaining contract.

Ober didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 10-7 win over the Royals, giving up three runs on five hits and a walk over three innings. He struck out five.

The Twins staked Ober to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, but after he coughed up three runs of his own in the third, he got the hook after 61 pitches (38 strikes). Ober hadn't allowed more than one earned run in a start since his first outing of the season, leaving him with a 3.25 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 25:7 K:BB through 27.2 innings.

Lyles is starting the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Red Sox, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

Lyles has posted a 3.31 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 32.2 innings over five starts in May, and he'll make his 10th start of the season during Saturday's matinee. Although he posted a quality start in four of his last five outings, the right-hander was limited to two wins during that time.

Keller (1-5) took the loss Friday, surrendering six runs on 11 hits and three walks over four innings as the Royals fell 10-7 to the Twins. He struck out three.

Facing Minnesota for a second straight start, Keller was tagged for four runs in the first inning alone, including a two-run blast by Jorge Polanco. He exited the contest after throwing 85 pitches, including 55 strikes. Keller will take a 3.95 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 32:15 K:BB over 54.2 innings into his next outing.

Springs (2-2) took the loss Friday as the Rays fell 2-0 to the Yankees, giving up two runs on five hits over six innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.

It was a strong performance from the southpaw, who tossed 80 pitches (56 strikes) in his first quality start of the season. However, Springs served up a pair of solo homers in the fourth inning and had no margin for error. Since moving into the rotation in May, he has a 2.21 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 19:4 K:BB in 20.1 innings over four outings.

Taillon (5-1) picked up the win Friday, scattering two hits over eight scoreless innings in a 2-0 win over the Rays. He struck out five without walking a batter.

He retired the first 12 batters he faced, and a sixth-inning double by Manuel Margot -- who got stranded at second base -- was as close as Tampa Bay got to plating a run. It was the second straight quality start and third of the season for Taillon, who will take a 2.49 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 39:5 K:BB through 50.2 innings into his next outing.

Bradish didn't factor in the decision during Friday's 12-8 win over the Red Sox after surrendering six runs on six hits with two strikeouts and one walk over 1.2 innings.

Xander Bogaerts capped off a four-run first inning with a three-run homer, and Bradish was pulled with two outs in the second after allowing a two-run double to Alex Verdugo. The Orioles rallied to score 12 unanswered runs and overcame a six-run deficit, which took Bradish off the hook for the loss. The right-hander has now given up at least four earned runs in four of his six starts this season, and his spot in the big-league rotation could be in jeopardy given his struggles.