MLB Player News

Rodriguez is 2-0 with a 1.47 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and a 31:4 K:BB in 18.1 innings through his first four starts at High-A Aberdeen.

After the cancellation of the 2020 minor-league season, Rodriguez has picked up right where he left off in 2019, when he was named the Orioles' Jim Palmer Minor-League Co-Pitcher of the Year along with Michael Baumann. While making the jump from Low-A Delmarva to the High-A level, Rodriguez hasn't been phased by the improved competition. Blessed with a deep repertoire that includes a high-90s four-seamer, curveball, cutter and spinning changeup, the 21-year-old Rodriguez looks like the top pitching prospect in the Baltimore system.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin told Jim Duquette of MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM that Luzardo (finger) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment Thursday.

Luzardo is ready to take the next step forward in his recovery program for his fractured left pinkie finger after he used his full repertoire during a 50-pitch bullpen session Sunday, according to Shayna Rubin of The San Jose Mercury News reports. The southpaw could be cleared to push his pitch count up to the 60-to-75 range in the rehab start, which could be the only one he needs before the Athletics activate him from the 10-day injured list. Manager Bob Melvin noted the team may elect to bring Luzardo back in a relief role while he gets stretched out, which would eliminate the need for multiple rehab starts, per Jessica Kleinschmidt of NBC Sports Bay Area. While the southpaw has been sidelined for the past three weeks, James Kaprielian has stepped into the rotation as Oakland's No. 5 starter.

Manager Charlie Montoyo didn't dismiss the possibility of Manoah being called up from Triple-A Buffalo to fill the opening in the Blue Jays' rotation Wednesday against the Yankees, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports. "We have options," Montoyo answered, when asked if Manoah would join the rotation this week.

Toronto is looking for a new fifth starter after optioning Anthony Kay to the minors last week. The team will have long reliever Trent Thornton work as an opener in front of Ross Stripling in Monday's game against the Rays, which could lessen the chances of Toronto treating Wednesday as a bullpen day. If Toronto does in fact choose to go with a traditional starter Wednesday, Manoah would be available to go on six days' rest, provided he's scratched ahead of his scheduled turn Tuesday for Buffalo. Though Manoah impressed in spring training and has dazzled over his first three outings at Triple-A, the Blue Jays may not be keen on starting his MLB service clock just yet. Nate Pearson would be another option to step into the rotation if the Blue Jays prefer to fill the opening with a pitcher who's already on the 40-man roster.

Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo confirmed Stripling would serve as a primary pitcher behind opener Trent Thornton in Monday's game against the Rays, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Thornton will likely work the first 2-to-3 innings of the contest before the Blue Jays turn the game over to Stripling. The transition from a traditional starting gig to a bulk-reliever role can only help Stripling, who has posted a 7.20 ERA and 1.76 WHIP through his first six outings.

Stripling won't start Monday's game against the Rays, with the Blue Jays announcing that Trent Thornton would instead serve as the team's opening pitcher of the day, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Toronto hasn't suggested that Stripling has been scratched from the contest, so he could still be available out of the bullpen as a primary pitcher. Thornton hasn't worked more than 2.2 innings or tossed more than 42 pitches in any of his 14 appearances (two starts) this season, so the Blue Jays will likely treat him as more of an opener than a traditional starter. If the team plans to use Stripling behind Thornton, the former would actually be in better position to factor into any decision than he would in a traditional starting role. If he goes unused Monday, Stripling could end up starting against the Yankees in New York on Wednesday, when Toronto will have an opening in the rotation after Anthony Kay was optioned to the minors last week.

Ryu didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Rays after tossing 6.2 innings of two-run ball, giving up eight hits and a walk while fanning seven.

Ryu has given up two or fewer runs in all but two of his starts to date and continues to deliver excellent results at the top of the Blue Jays' rotation. The lefty owns a 2.45 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP with a 9.1 K/9 across 25.2 innings through four starts this month, and he's scheduled to pitch again Friday on the road against Cleveland.

Wacha tossed two scoreless innings Sunday against the Blue Jays, giving up one hit and fanning one. He didn't factor into the decision.

Wacha returned to the mound following a three-week absence and while his outing was short, he looked composed on the mound and only allowed one baserunner. He tossed 14 of his 24 pitches for strikes and should be in line for a bigger workload in his next start, scheduled for the weekend series at home against the Phillies.

Bundy allowed four runs on five hits and a walk while striking out two over 2.1 innings against the Athletics on Sunday. He did not factor into the decision.

Bundy continued to have problems with the home run ball in Sunday's meeting with the Athletics. The 28-year-old surrendered a solo home run to Matt Olson and a two-run blast to Seth Brown in the second inning to put his team in an early 3-0 hole. His day didn't last much longer after allowing a leadoff triple and two singles in the third before being pulled. Bundy now owns a disappointing 6.50 ERA and 48:13 K:BB over 45.2 innings heading into his next start.

Odorizzi (forearm) will make his second rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

A rainout Saturday scuttled the Skeeters' rotation plans for the weekend. Framber Valdez (finger), who is also on a rehab assignment, had his start moved from Saturday to Sunday, while Odorizzi will throw the first game of a doubleheader Monday. He's expected to throw between 75 and 80 pitches during the start, which could be his final one before rejoining the major-league club.

Valdez (finger) allowed two hits and two walks while striking out two over four scoreless innings for Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday.

Valdez, who made his second rehab start, didn't have the control that he had during his first rehab outing, throwing 29 of 54 pitches for strikes. Last Monday, he delivered 38 strikes among his 47 offerings. The left-hander is targeted for a return sometime during June, Steve Schaeffer of the Houston Chronicle reports. Valdez will have his pitch count built up before then, meaning at least one more rehab start.