MLB Player News

Means (4-3) picked up the win against the Red Sox on Monday, giving up just three hits and one earned run over seven innings, striking out four with no walks as the Orioles won 4-1.

It was a sharp outing from the left-hander, as he quieted Boston's bats and bagged his fourth victory of the season. Means has been a pleasant surprise for the Orioles in the early going, as he's currently boasting a 2.48 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP over 32.2 innings while holding opponents to a .215 batting average. He'll look to keep it rolling in his next start, which will come in a home matchup against the Angels on Sunday.

Rodon (elbow) was recommended to undergo Tommy John surgery in his initial meeting with a doctor, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

This is a tough blow for Rodon and the White Sox, though it's not too surprising after general manager Rick Hahn didn't rule out the possibility while expressing concern regarding the southpaw's elbow injury -- which was originally diagnosed as an edema in the flexor mass in Rodon's throwing arm -- last week. Rodon is awaiting the results of a second opinion before moving forward with a decision.

Clevinger (back) played catch from 120 feet Monday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Clevinger said he felt "like money" after Monday's session, and assuming the right-hander checks out OK in the coming days, he could be cleared to resume mound work soon after. While Clevinger is trending in the right direction, he remains without a concrete timetable for his return. He's eligible to come off the 60-day injured list June 7, should he ultimately prove ready.

The Royals optioned Lively to Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

Lively was only used once out of the bullpen during his week-and-a-half-long stay in Kansas City, giving up three runs over a one-inning appearance April 28 against the Angels. The Royals will swap him out for another long-relief option in Glenn Sparkman, who was recalled from Omaha in a corresponding move.

German (6-1) gave up one run on four hits and three walks while striking out seven through 6.2 innings getting the win over the Twins on Sunday.

German allowed seven baserunners but worked his way around trouble thanks in part to 21 called strikes. The right-hander has been great, and his 2.72 FIP suggests that the ERA could stick. He has a 6-1 record with a 2.35 ERA through six starts this season. German will get his next start Friday in Tampa Bay.

Smyly gave up one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five in a no-decision against the Blue Jays on Sunday.

Smyly was expected to be on a strict pitch count, and he was pulled 68 pitches into a solid performance in which he only allowed four baserunners. All things considered, it was a positive outing after he missed more than two weeks with arm soreness. The left-hander has a 0-2 record with a 6.63 ERA and a 11.4 K/9 through five starts this season. Smyly will get his next start Saturday at Houston.

Verlander (5-1) tossed 6.1 innings Sunday, allowing four runs on five hits and a walk while earning the victory over the Angels. He struck out seven batters.

The four runs he allowed all came off home runs, including two from Jonathan Lucroy. In 50.1 innings this season, he's already given up 10 long balls; he didn't allow his 10th homer in 2018 until late June. Verlander still sports a strong 2.86 ERA and 60:12 K:BB. Still looking for his first outing without coughing up a homer, the veteran righty will face Texas on Friday.

Keller allowed two runs on six hits with six strikeouts and five walks across 5.1 innings during a no-decision against the Tigers on Sunday.

Walks have been an issue all year for Keller. He tied a season high with five free passes Sunday, two of which came around to score. However, Keller was able to keep the Tigers off the scoreboard other than that. Despite a league-leading 28 walks, Keller owns a 3.99 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 36 strikeouts in 47.1 innings this year, but he seems to be playing with fire, posting a 5.3 BB/9. His next scheduled start is Saturday at home against the Phillies.

Turnbull allowed one run on six hits with seven strikeouts and one walk across seven innings in a no-decision against the Royals on Sunday.

The 26-year-old pitched more than well enough to earn a victory, but the Tigers offense gave him just two runs in support, and then the bullpen blew the one-run lead in the eighth. The no-decision was disappointing, but Turnbull has been great lately, posting a 1.13 ERA in his last four outings. Overall, Turnbull is 2-2 with a 2.31 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 38 strikeouts in 39 innings this year. He will look to keep his hot streak going Saturday at the Twins.

Montas surrendered one run on five hits and struck out five over six innings Sunday in a no-decision against the Pirates.

Montas allowed his only run in the second inning on a sacrifice fly, and although he certainly pitched well enough to win, the offense failed to spot him enough run support. The 26-year-old has yet to give up more than three earned runs in a start this season, owning a 2.75 ERA with a 35:10 K:BB over 39.1 frames in 2019.