MLB Player News

Francis (2-3) took the loss against the Astros on Wednesday, allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out two over 4.2 innings.

All three of the runs Francis yielded came in the third inning, highlighted by a solo homer by Christian Walker, but he managed to limit the damage after getting out of a bases-loaded jam. He registered 17 first-pitch strikes but only six whiffs on 79 pitches, and his two punchouts are his lowest through five starts. Francis has a 3.58 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 22:9 K:BB across 27.2 innings this season, and he's projected to make his next start next week at home against the Red Sox.

Lorenzen and the Royals won't face the Rockies on Wednesday, as the game was postponed due to inclement weather.

Wednesday's contest will be made up as part of a doubleheader Thursday, and Lorenzen will take the mound for the nightcap, per Anne Rogers of MLB.com. The 33-year-old righty will be looking for a bounce-back performance after surrendering seven earned runs over 10.1 frames in his last two starts.

Taylor (elbow) made his 2025 debut at High-A Asheville last Thursday, striking out two while scattering three hits and two walks over three scoreless innings.

Taylor didn't pitch after May 7 last season due to an elbow injury, but the right-hander avoided surgery and appears to have received a clean bill of health early on in the 2025 campaign.

Double-A Corpus Christi placed Pecko on its 7-day injured list April 10 due to an unspecified injury.

Pecko didn't make any appearances for Corpus Christi before being deactivated. The 22-year-old right-hander saw time at three different levels in 2024 and was especially impressive during his time at Double-A, turning in a 2.36 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 28:9 K:BB over 26.2 innings.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that Eflin (lat) is scheduled to throw a side session Friday or Saturday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Eflin has recently been ramping up his throwing distance and has now been cleared to return to the mound for the first time since suffering a mild lat strain April 7. The right-hander is already eligible to be activated from the 15-day injured list, but it'll likely be another couple of weeks before he's potentially ready to return.

High-A Winston-Salem placed Batista on its 7-day injured list April 9 due to an unspecified injury.

Batista likely sustained the injury or was pitching through it in his 2025 debut April 6, when he allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and three walks over 3.2 innings. The 21-year-old struggled mightily with his control in the outing, spotting just 42 of his 77 pitches for strikes and throwing three wild pitches.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde confirmed Wednesday that Young will start Friday in Detroit, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

The Orioles had left open the possibility that Kyle Gibson could take the ball Friday, but the club has ultimately sided with Young. The rookie right-hander made his major-league debut last weekend against the Reds, permitting three runs over four innings. Young is not guaranteed any additional starts with the big club beyond Friday.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that Rodriguez (elbow) has been diagnosed with a mild right lat strain, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Rodriguez initially went on the 15-day injured list to begin the season due to right elbow inflammation before developing the lat issue last week. He's feeling better and plans to resume a throwing program in a couple weeks. Rodriguez dealt with what was described as a mild right lat strain during the second half last season and wound up missing two months, so despite Hyde's optimistic comments, fantasy managers may not want to count on the right-hander making his 2025 debut anytime soon.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that Giolito (hamstring) is tentatively scheduled to return from the 15-day injured list to make his season debut May 1 in Toronto, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Giolito will be making his Red Sox debut as well, after he signed with the team in December 2023 but missed the entire 2024 season following internal brace surgery on his right elbow. A left hamstring strain is what currently has Giolito on the IL, and he will have to come out of his fifth rehab start with Triple-A Worcester on Friday with no issues before officially being cleared to join Boston's rotation next week.

Ortiz (2-3) took the loss Wednesday against the Yankees, allowing four runs on five hits and five walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out eight.

Ortiz got off to a rocky start Wednesday, allowing two runs in each of the first two innings. The right-hander now has at least eight strikeouts in three consecutive outings, though he's struggled with command, posting 4.91 BB/9 through his first five starts. Ortiz now sports a 5.96 ERA with a 1.56 WHIP and 31:14 K:BB across 25.2 innings this year. He's currently lined up to face the Twins at home in his next start.