MLB Player News

Irvin will re-enter the Orioles' rotation following the injury to John Means (forearm), Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Each of Irvin's last two appearances have come in relief, but he's been terrific in seven starts this season, collecting a 2.90 ERA and 28:8 K:BB over 40.1 innings of work. Means' next turn comes up Monday in Baltimore against the Red Sox, and Irvin would be on regular rest that day after throwing 3.1 relief innings in Wednesday's loss to the Cardinals.

The Orioles placed Means on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left forearm strain, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.

It's the same injury that forced Means to the IL prior to Opening Day. The left-hander experienced a flareup of the forearm issue during his latest start Wednesday in St. Louis. He'll be eligible to return from the IL in early June, but it's possible he'll need more time than the minimum 15 days given that it's a recurring injury. Cole Irvin is the likeliest candidate to slide into Means' spot in Baltimore's rotation.

Boyle (back) is set to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Las Vegas in coming days, the Associated Press reports.

Boyle completed a "two-up" bullpen session Sunday that apparently went well, given the news of a rehab assignment serving as his next step. The right-hander was placed on the injured list May 6 after being lifted from a start against the Marlins a day earlier due to a back strain, and he may need only one or two rehab starts before being deemed ready for activation.

Medina (knee) started Triple-A Las Vegas' loss to Tacoma on Wednesday, allowing five earned runs on four hits, a walk, a wild pitch and a hit batsman over 2.1 innings. He struck out one.

Medina moved up from the Athletics' rookie-level AZL club after opening his rehab assignment there May 15, and as his line indicates, the results were far from encouraging. Medina had a similarly difficult time in his first rehab start against a much lower caliber of competition, so it's clear he has plenty of kinks to work out before a move to the big-league club can be considered. Given Wednesday's results, it remains to be seen if Medina will be shifted to a lower-level affiliate for his next rehab appearance in an effort to allow him to build some confidence and positive momentum.

High-A Vancouver placed Rojas on the 7-day injured list April 23 with an undisclosed injury.

The 21-year-old Cuban southpaw gave up three earned runs while recording just two outs in his first start of the year and followed that up with five scoreless innings in his second start before landing on the shelf. Rojas had a 3.75 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 82 strikeouts in 84 innings at Single-A Dunedin in 2023.

The Rangers transferred Bradford (ribs) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Thursday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Jesus Tinoco, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Round Rock. Bradford recently experienced a setback with his ribs injury and now won't be eligible to return for several weeks.

The Rangers placed Gray on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to May 22, with a right groin strain, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Gray suffered the injury in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Phillies, and an MRI revealed a mild strain. He would seem to have a good chance at returning from the IL when his 15 days are up or shortly thereafter, but it will depend on how he recovers over the next several days. Gray had been slated to start Sunday in Minnesota, but it's possible Nathan Eovaldi (groin) will be ready to return that day.

Gray isn't expected to make his next start after he was diagnosed Thursday with a mild right groin strain, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Gray was removed from his start in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Phillies because of the injury. It's not clear yet whether Gray will require a stint on the 15-day injured list, but it would seem to be a distinct possibility. He had been slated to start Sunday in Minnesota, but the Rangers might now need Jose Urena to take the ball that day.

Baz (elbow/oblique) allowed one earned run on three hits and three walks while striking out four across four innings during a rehab start with Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.

Baz turned in his best rehab appearance since starting the assignment May 4. He's still dealing with control issues, as he has walked 11 batters across 12 innings, though that shouldn't come as a significant surprise given his lengthy layoff since undergoing Tommy John surgery in July 2022. The Rays will likely want him to make at least one more start in the minors, but he could rejoin the big-league rotation in early June.

Irvin (4-2) allowed five runs (three earned) on six hits and struck out two without walking a batter over 3.1 innings to take the loss Wednesday versus the Cardinals.

Irvin was called upon for a long-relief outing after John Means (elbow) exited following a rain delay. The severity of Means' injury is unknown at this time, but if it requires a stint on the injured list, Irvin has a clear path back to the rotation after making his last two appearances out of the bullpen. Irvin has pitched well this season with a 3.15 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 30:8 K:B over 45.2 innings through nine appearances (seven starts). Means' spot in the rotation is slated for a home start versus the Red Sox next week, and Irvin's appearance Wednesday would put him on schedule to step into that spot, if necessary.