MLB Player News

Means (3-2) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over five innings while striking out six in a 4-3 victory over the White Sox.

The southpaw needed 92 pitches (56 strikes) to get 15 outs, and that inefficiency might be the only thing standing between Means and a regular spot in the Baltimore rotation given his 1.74 ERA and 23:6 K:BB through 20.2 innings. For now the 26-year-old rookie will return to a long-relief role, but there are any number of candidates he could replace if the club elects to give Means a longer look.

Snell (2-2) allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits with three strikeouts and two walks across 3.1 innings during a loss to the Royals on Wednesday.

In his first game back since fracturing his toe, Snell wasn't particularly sharp and was lifted after 65 pitches. He had yielded one run and struck out 33 in his last 19 innings prior to the injury. His most impressive marks are his 0.92 WHIP, .204 batting average against and 39 strikeouts in 28.1 total innings this season. He should get another crack at the Royals in his next start on the road Tuesday, and Snell figures to be available for 80-plus pitches this time around.

Luzardo (shoulder) threw from 90 feet Wednesday and remains on track to return in 4-to-6 weeks, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Luzardo's session apparently went off without a hitch and marked the first time he threw since being shut down last month. The promising prospect is fully expected to make his regular-season major-league debut at some point in 2019 after wowing in spring with an 0.93 ERA, .176 BAA and 15:4 K:BB across four Cactus League appearances.

Verlander (4-0) gave up one run on four hits with no walks while striking out eight through eight innings in a win over the Twins on Wednesday.

It was a terrific start for Verlander as he rode 13 swinging strikes to eight strikeouts and another victory. The 36-year-old has given up a home run in every start this season and has a ridiculous 16 percent HR/FB ratio. The right-hander has been dominant otherwise with a 2.61 ERA, 10.9 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 through six starts. Verlander will look to stay hot in his next start Monday in Minnesota.

Heaney (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Wednesday's bullpen session will be Heaney's first since he received a cortisone injection at the beginning of April. The southpaw still needs to build his arm strength back up, but he could seemingly return in mid-May if he continues to progress through his rehab with no setbacks.

Carrasco was diagnosed with a bruised left knee after exiting his start Tuesday against the Marlins and is expected to make his next scheduled turn Sunday in Houston, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Carrasco looked like he might have sustained a serious injury when he stumbled while attempting to reel in an off-target throw to first base in the fourth inning of Tuesday's start. Though the right-hander was able to stay in the game to finish out the inning, he limped to the dugout after completing the frame and was pulled from the contest. Fortunately, an MRI conducted after the game cleared him of any structural damage, so Carrasco should be good to go for the weekend if he's able to complete his usual between-starts bullpen session without incident.

The Rays activated Snell (toe) from the 10-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Royals, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Tampa Bay optioned Austin Pruitt to Triple-A Durham to clear a spot on the active roster for Snell, who convinced the Rays he was ready to return from the IL after completing bullpen sessions on back-to-back days without incident. Since he'll be returning slightly earlier from the fractured toe than the Rays anticipated, Snell could have his pitch count monitored more carefully than normal, but any limitations he might have shouldn't leave fantasy managers hesitant to insert him into lineups. Prior to getting hurt, Snell had been one of the few high-level aces performing up to expectations, as he compiled a 2.16 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 36:4 K:BB through his first 25 innings.

German (4-1) picked up the win Tuesday, allowing one unearned run on four hits and a walk over 6.2 innings while striking out five in a 7-5 victory over the Angels.

The unearned run came on his own error, but it was otherwise another sharp performance from the 26-year-old. German's delivered three quality starts in four attempts, and he'll carry a sparkling 1.75 ERA and 28:8 K:BB through 25.2 innings into his next outing, currently set for Sunday in San Francisco.

Montas (4-1) picked up the win in Tuesday's 11-5 victory over the Rangers, allowing three runs on nine hits and two walks over 5.2 innings while striking out six.

A six-run fourth inning by the A's offense put the game out of reach, but Montas ran up his pitch count and fell one out shy of his fourth quality start in five outings. The right-hander has been Oakland's best pitcher so far, and he'll carry a 3.10 ERA and 26:8 K:BB through 29 innings with him to Boston on Monday.

Lynn (2-2) took the loss Tuesday, getting hammered for eight runs on nine hits and two walks over 3.1 innings while striking out three as the Rangers fell 11-5 in Oakland.

The A's posted single runs off the right-hander in the first two frames, including a solo shot by Matt Chapman, before the floodgates opened in the fourth. Lynn had lasted at least five innings in each of his first four starts, but this was the second time he's been tagged for at least seven runs, leading to a rough 6.51 ERA. He'll look for a better result Sunday in Seattle.