MLB Player News

The Orioles will recall Povich from Triple-A Norfolk to start Thursday against the Blue Jays in Toronto, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

Povich joined the Orioles' taxi squad Wednesday and will now be called upon to make his MLB debut in Toronto, with his addition providing right-hander Kyle Bradish with an extra day of rest between starts. The 24-year-old Povich has spent all season with Norfolk, posting a 3.18 ERA and 1.12 WHIP to go with a 75:21 K:BB through 56.2 innings across 11 starts. Given the amount of talent the Orioles already have in their rotation, it's unlikely the left-hander's stint with Baltimore extends past Thursday.

Manager Rob Thomson confirmed that Walker will start Sunday's game against the Mets in London, Dan Gelston of the Associated Press reports.

Though he'll be getting his eighth start of the season Sunday, Walker's standing in the rotation seems to be on unsteady ground while he's produced a 5.73 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 30:15 K:BB in 37.2 innings since returning in late April from a season-opening stint on the injured list. Manager Rob Thomson gave Walker a vote of confidence Tuesday, though the skipper stressed that the right-hander needs to show improved command in his subsequent outings in order to maintain his spot. Walker's four-year, $72 million contract gives him some level of job security, but it doesn't help his case that Spencer Turnbull dazzled over six starts in April (1.67 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 36:10 K:BB in 32.1 innings) before moving to the bullpen upon the veteran's southpaw's return from the IL. Another shaky performance in London would put Walker at increased risk of losing his starting job to Turnbull.

Maeda left Wednesday's game against the Rangers due to right abdominal discomfort, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Maeda was grabbing his right side after throwing just two pitches during Wednesday's contest, and Detroit's trainers decided it was enough of an issue to warrant his removal. The Tigers still have not yet indicated how severe the 36-year-old's injury is, but they will continue to monitor his condition as he approaches his next start -- tentatively scheduled for next Wednesday against Washington.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Wednesday that Suarez (thumb) has been cleared to start Saturday's game against the Mets in London, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. "I think so," Thomson said ,when asked if Suarez would make his next scheduled start. "It looks like it. I believe we can line him up."

Suarez didn't throw a bullpen session Wednesday like Thomson intimated would be the case Tuesday, but the southpaw played catch for the second day in a row and appears to be feeling fine. He'll throw a light bullpen session Friday, but the Phillies are seemingly already banking on Suarez being available without restriction for the first of two games in London, with Taijuan Walker set to take the hill for the Sunday contest. Suarez was removed from his most recent start this past Saturday against the Cardinals after taking a comebacker to his left thumb. He avoided any structural damage to the thumb and merely dealt with some light swelling, which has since subsided.

Maeda was removed from his start Wednesday against the Rangers due to an apparent injury, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

After just his second pitch of the game, Maeda was grabbing at his right side. He threw a few warmup pitches in front of trainers, but the decision was eventually made to take the 36-year-old righty out of the game. The Tigers will take a closer look at him and should have more information on the nature of his injury within the near future.

Ashcraft allowed four runs on six hits against the Rockies on Wednesday in a no-decision. He struck out two.

All four of Colorado's runs off Ashcraft came in the first inning on five singles. While he ultimately escaped with a no-decision, it was another tough outing for Ashcraft, who's now failed to pitch through six innings in six straight starts. Overall, the 26-year-old right-hander is 4-3 with a 5.05 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 49:21 K:BB across seven starts (62.1 innings) this season. Ashcraft's currently scheduled to face the Guardians at home in his next outing.

Montgomery (3-4) took the loss Wednesday, coughing up six runs on seven hits and three walks over two-plus innings as Arizona fell 9-3 to San Francisco. He struck out one.

The southpaw held the Giants off the board for two innings, but things fell apart quickly in the third, highlighted by Wilmer Flores' grand slam -- the first slam Montgomery has ever served up in his career. The 31-year-old has been tagged for 14 runs in only six innings over his last two starts, and he'll carry a 6.80 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 29:18 K:BB through 46.1 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Angels.

Hicks came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 9-3 win over the Diamondbacks, giving up two runs on six hits and four walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out seven.

The right-hander did rack up some Ks, but Hicks needed 92 pitches (51 strikes) to record just 11 outs and got the hook before he could quality for a win. He's failed to complete six innings in seven straight trips to the mound, posting a 4.09 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 32:13 K:BB over 33 innings during that stretch. Hicks will look for a more efficient performance in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home early next week against the Astros.

Nola (8-2) picked up the win Wednesday, scattering two hits over seven scoreless innings in a 2-0 victory over the Brewers. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The veteran right-hander was dominant as he delivered his fourth straight quality start and eighth of the season, firing 68 of 93 pitches for strikes. Nola will take a 2.77 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 76:22 K:BB through 84.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next week in Boston.

Ashby (0-2) took the loss Wednesday as the Brewers were downed 2-0 by the Phillies, giving up two runs on two hits and five walks over five innings. He struck out three.

The southpaw was recalled from Triple-A Nashville earlier in the day but had trouble finding the plate, tossing 49 of 91 pitches for strikes, and Ashby eventually paid for the free passes in the fifth inning when Garrett Stubbs led off the frame with a walk before Nick Castellanos clubbed a two-run homer. With Robert Gasser (elbow) the latest Milwaukee pitcher to land on the IL, Ashby figures to get multiple turns in the rotation. He lines up to make his next outing at home early next week against the Blue Jays.