MLB Player News

Morton struck out two over two perfect innings of relief in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Angels.

After slotting into the rotation Wednesday and dropping to 0-7 on the season while giving up three runs over four innings in a loss to the Twins, Morton shifted back to the bullpen this weekend and was tasked with mopping up in Saturday's loss. With the Orioles bringing Zach Eflin (lat) back from the injured list to start Sunday's series finale in Anaheim, Morton isn't expected to be needed in the rotation anytime soon.

The Orioles reinstated Rogers (knee) from the 15-day injured list Sunday and optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk, Cordell Woodland of 105.7 The Fan Baltimore reports.

Cade Povich (5.55 ERA, 1.54 WHIP in seven starts) and Kyle Gibson (13.11 ERA, 2.49 WHIP in three starts) haven't made strong cases for sticking around in the Baltimore rotation, but Rogers didn't perform well enough over his four-start rehab assignment to make a convincing argument to join the big club upon being activated. Between stops with Norfolk and Double-A Chesapeake, Rogers surrendered 10 earned runs on 15 hits and five walks while striking out 13 across 12 innings. He'll continue to make regular turns out of the Norfolk rotation, and if he displays improved numbers in his upcoming starts, Rogers could earn a look with the big club.

Double-A Harrisburg placed Susana on its 7-day injured list Saturday due to a Grade 1 UCL sprain in his right elbow, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

One of Washington's top pitching prospects, Susana was diagnosed with the injury following his most recent start with Harrisburg on May 4. Nationals manager Dave Martinez said that a Grade 1 sprain represents a "best-case scenario" for the 21-year-old righty, but he'll still be shut down from throwing for at least two weeks. The hard-throwing Susana has racked up 38 strikeouts over 26 innings with Harrisburg this season, but he's issued 20 walks and has turned in a 1.69 WHIP.

The Nationals reinstated Cavalli (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Sunday and optioned him to Triple-A Rochester.

After making his MLB debut with the Nationals in 2022, Cavalli had been limited to just 8.1 minor-league innings over the past two seasons while recovering from March 2023 Tommy John surgery. He reported healthy to spring training but was brought along slowly before being cleared to begin a rehab assignment April 19. Cavalli will stick around with Rochester and should continue to make regular turns through the rotation. He's expected to get another look in the big leagues later this season.

The Rockies optioned Blalock to Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday.

Unsurprisingly, Blalock received a demotion after he was lit up for 12 earned runs on 13 hits and two walks over just 3.2 innings during Saturday's 21-0 loss to the Padres. The Rockies still have an opening in the rotation with Ryan Feltner (back) not ready to return from the injured list, and Triple-A righty Tanner Gordon could be the next man up as the fifth starter.

The Rockies recalled Molina from Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday.

Molina made 35 appearances (one start) with the Rockies as a Rule 5 selection in 2024, but he's made the move to the rotation at Albuquerque this season. Over his seven starts, Molina has produced a 9.20 ERA, 2.39 WHIP and 23:18 K:BB in 30.1 innings. The Rockies have an opening in the rotation after optioning Bradley Blalock to Albuquerque in a corresponding move, but Molina is expected to serve as a long man out of the Colorado bullpen.

The Orioles activated Eflin (lat) from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's game against the Angels.

The right-hander was sidelined just over a month due to a lat strain, but he'll rejoin Baltimore's rotation after firing four scoreless frames in his lone rehab start last weekend. Eflin threw only 58 pitches in that outing, so he will likely have some workload limitations for his first couple starts back with the Orioles. The 31-year-old delivered quality starts in all three of his outings prior to the injury and had a 3.00 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB over 18 innings.

Schmidt is scheduled to start Monday's game at Seattle, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander was a candidate to start Sunday in Sacramento following the demotion of Carlos Carrasco earlier in the week, but Schmidt will instead take the mound Monday. Schmidt surrendered eight runs over his first two starts after missing the first few weeks of the season due to a shoulder issue, but he's given up just three earned runs with 10 strikeouts over 11 frames in his past two outings.

Caminiti (forearm) struck out three and allowed two earned runs on three hits and one walk across 2.1 innings in his season debut Friday for Atlanta's rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate.

The No. 24 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Caminiti made his professional debut with Single-A Augusta late last season, but he stuck around at Atlanta's complex in Florida following spring training while he recovered from forearm tendinitis. The injury was never viewed as a major concern, as Atlanta had likely always planned to manage the 18-year-old lefty's workload in his first full pro season. He'll likely report to Augusta once he gets a few FCL starts under his belt.

Strider (hamstring) said that he feels ready to return from the 15-day injured list, but Atlanta has yet to decide whether he'll be activated during the upcoming week or go on a minor-league rehab assignment, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Strider has been on the shelf since April 21 due to a Grade 1 right hamstring strain, which he sustained while playing catch. He received a platelet-poor plasma injection two days later that he credits with hastening his recovery. The right-hander has responded well to bullpen sessions Wednesday and Saturday, but Atlanta may want to have him face hitters in a simulated game or in a minor-league rehab start before bringing him back from the IL. If Strider is cleared to return during the upcoming week, his workload could be managed carefully in what would be his first outing since April 16. Per Lindsay Crosby of AthlonSports.com, Atlanta has already confirmed its starting pitchers through Thursday, so there wouldn't be an opening for Strider in the rotation until at least Friday.