MLB Player News

Ramirez (elbow) is scheduled to make his final rehab appearance with High-A Inland Empire on Sunday, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ramirez is scheduled to throw about 20 pitches as he prepares to join the Angels in a bullpen role coming off Tommy John surgery. The 30-year-old's rehab assignment will run out Tuesday, so he'll have to be activated by that point.

Kluber (forearm) completed a 45-pitch bullpen session Saturday and will have another session Tuesday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Kluber began throwing bullpen sessions last week and has already thrown five, so he could progress to a simulated game soon. The 33-year-old remains without a definitive timeline for his return to the majors, but a return in mid-to-late August doesn't appear out of the question.

Urquidy allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out six over six innings in a no-decision against the Cardinals on Friday.

Urquidy deserved better. The Astros held a one-run lead when he turned the ball over to the reliable bullpen, but Will Harris gave up a Matt Wieters home run, taking a potential win from Urquidy. The rookie right-hander recorded a second straight quality start and will seek a third next Wednesday in Cleveland.

Cease was saddled with the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out four over five innings against the Twins on Friday.

Cease had one bad inning for a second straight start. Five days after the rookie allowed four runs to the Rays in the second inning, he allowed five runs to the Twins in the same inning. And just like the Rays, Cease shut down the Twins for the next three innings. Command has been a common thread for Cease, who has walked 12 and ceded 22 hits over 21 innings. The right-hander will look for better results in his next start Thursday at home against the Mets.

Lynn (13-6) picked up the win Friday after holding the A's to two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out eight over six innings.

The right-hander worked himself out of a jam in the first inning after two straight errors by Danny Santana allowed both Marcus Semien and Matt Chapman to reach base. Lynn then walked Matt Olson to load the bases, but fanned Matt Canha for the first out, and the only damage in the inning came via a sacrifice fly by Ramon Laureano. The final blemish on Lynn's line came from an RBI single by Canha in the third. With the win, he evened his season record against Oakland (1-1) while snapping a two-game losing streak. Lynn has pitched at least six innings in 17 straight starts, tied for third longest in franchise history. The 32-year-old will carry a 3.83 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 160:33 K:BB into a matchup against the Tigers next Friday.

Kikuchi pitched 6.2 innings Friday, allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out four. He took a no-decision in a 3-2 win over the Tigers.

Kikuchi had a rough beginning, allowing solo home runs to Brandon Dixon and John Hicks early on, but he settled down well enough to keep his team in a position to win. The 28-year-old has allowed three runs or less in four of his last six starts. For the year, Kikuchi has a 5.21 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with 83 strikeouts over 114 innings. The southpaw lines up for a tough road date with the Astros next Friday.

Paxton (5-6) allowed seven runs with nine hits, zero walks and nine strikeouts across four innings while taking a loss against the Red Sox on Friday.

The nine strikeouts were nice, but the left-hander couldn't keep the ball in the park. Mookie Betts took him deep three times, and J.D. Martinez hit a homer off Paxton as well. Those four long balls accounted for six of the seven runs against him. Home runs have been an issue for the 30-year-old most of this season, as he owns a career-high 1.7 HR/9. He also has a 4.72 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 117 strikeouts in 89.2 innings this season. Paxton will look to keep the ball in the park during his next start at Yankee Stadium, against the Red Sox once again next Friday.

Means (biceps) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list after the minimum, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

The Orioles don't believe the left-hander's injury is anything serious, and they anticipate him missing just one start while on the shelf. Baltimore has yet to reveal who will take Means' spot in the rotation for Monday's matchup with the Padres.

Means was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday due to a left biceps strain, retroactive to Thursday.

Means gave up three runs over 3.1 frames in his last start Wednesday, and he evidently picked up the injury sometime during the outing. A timeline for his return has yet to be established, but he'll be eligible to be activated beginning Aug. 4, meaning he would only miss one start if he returns following the 10-day minimum.

Mejia was designated for assignment by Los Angeles on Friday.

Mejia was scooped up off waivers by the Angels on Saturday, but he'll head back to waivers following Friday night's transaction. He owns a 7.32 ERA with 21 strikeouts over 19.2 innings this season in the big leagues across stops with the Twins and Angels. Nick Tropeano was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move.