MLB Player News

The MRI that Means (shoulder) underwent Saturday revealed minor rotator cuff inflammation but no structural damage to his left arm, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

A shoulder injury landed Means on the shelf for the second time in a month, but just like the first time around, the rookie is optimistic he'll be in line for only a brief absence. Means is tentatively planning on missing just one start due to his latest setback with the shoulder, with manager Brandon Hyde suggesting the Orioles could get by with a bullpen day when the lefty's next turn in the rotation comes up Monday in San Diego. The 26-year-old is first eligible to return from the 10-day injured list on Aug. 4.

Eovaldi allowed two runs on three hits while striking out two over an inning in Saturday's 9-5 win over the Yankees.

It's a good thing manager Alex Cora is letting Eovaldi pitch in low-leverage situations before entrusting him to be the primary closer. This was the second time in three tries that Eovaldi has been hit hard. His ERA is 16.88 after his first three relief outings.

Luzardo (lat) is scheduled to throw two innings in a simulated game in Arizona on Tuesday, The Associated Press reports.

Luzardo threw a pair of bullpen sessions without setback during this past week, leading to the planned ramp-up in his activity level. If all goes well Tuesday, Luzardo's next step could be the initiation of a multi-game minor-league rehab assignment.

Gonzales (12-8) earned the win Saturday against the Tigers after giving up one run on six hits over seven innings. He struck out eight and walked none.

Gonzales was ahead in the count all afternoon, as he delivered first-pitch strikes to 20 of the 26 batters he faced. The 27-year-old has a 4.21 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 99:33 K:BB through 134.2 innings and has a tough matchup at Houston next weekend.

Rodriguez (13-4) earned the win Saturday against the Yankees after allowing three runs on seven hits across 5.2 innings. He struck out five and walked three.

It certainly wasn't Rodriguez's cleanest outing as he delivered only 64 of his 108 pitches for strikes, but he battled enough to limit New York to three runs. The 26-year-old has a 2.23 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 34:17 K:BB in his last six starts, and he lines up to face the Yankees again next weekend.

Clevinger (5-2) struck out seven and picked up the win over the Royals on Saturday, giving up one run on eight hits over seven innings.

Jason Kipnis' grand slam staked the right-hander to a 4-0 lead before he even set foot on the mound, and Clevinger never gave Kansas City a chance to get back into the game. He's now 8-0 lifetime against the Royals, the most wins without a loss in history against the franchise by any pitcher. Clevinger will take a 3.28 ERA and 72:15 K:BB through 49.1 innings into his next start Friday, at home against the Angels.

Cole (12-5) struck out seven and picked up the win in Saturday's 8-2 victory over the Cardinals, giving up one run on four hits and three walks over seven innings.

Once again blessed with plenty of run support, Cole's only real mistake got deposited in the seats by the red-hot Paul Goldschmidt. The right-hander will carry a 2.94 ERA and 212:37 K:BB through 143.2 innings into his next start Thursday in Cleveland.

Perez (8-4) struck out four but took the loss Saturday, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk over six innings in a 5-1 loss to the White Sox.

The southpaw delivered his eighth quality start of the year but wasn't rewarded for it when Minnesota's bats went uncharacteristically silent. Perez now sports a 4.38 ERA and 97:46 K:BB through 111 innings, and while his next outing is scheduled for Friday against the Royals, he could be bumped if the Twins bolster their rotation at the trade deadline.

Means (biceps) will undergo an MRI on his left biceps, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Means landed on the injured list Friday with a left biceps strain and is expected to return after the 10-day minimum. According to Steve Melewski of MASN, manager Brandon Hyde indicated the additional testing isn't cause for concern and is just procedural.

Heaney (shoulder) played catch for the third straight day Saturday but isn't sure when he may return from the injured list, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Heaney is progressing but said that he isn't where he wants to be in his recovery. The 28-year-old landed on the IL with left shoulder inflammation July 20 and still has some work to do in rebuilding his arm strength, so it seems like he's at least a couple weeks away from rejoining the Angels.