MLB Player News

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Means (elbow) will make his first start of the season Saturday in Cincinnati, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Means was activated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, and now the Orioles have revealed the date for the left-hander's 2024 big-league debut. While Means pitched poorly for most of his rehab assignment, he was excellent in his final outing with Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, striking out eight over seven shutout innings while allowing just one hit and one walk. The southpaw got his pitch count up to 95 in that start, so he shouldn't have any workload concerns Saturday.

The Giants optioned Jefferies to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Jefferies was used in bulk relief in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to the Red Sox, allowing four runs over 2.2 innings as he took the loss. He'll rejoin Sacramento's rotation, and his spot on the Giants' 26-man active roster spot will go to right-hander Randy Rodriguez, who was called up from Triple-A.

Luzardo (elbow) threw a successful bullpen session Thursday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Luzardo will make a rehab start sometime during the Marlins' upcoming road trip. The left-hander is eligible for activation from the 15-day injured list on May 10, and he could be a realistic candidate to start against the Phillies that day, if all goes well in his throwing program. Luzardo has been working his way back from a mild left flexor strain.

The Orioles reinstated Bradish (elbow) from the 15-day injured list and will have him start Thursday's game against the Yankees at Camden Yards.

Baltimore lost Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder) to the 15-day IL on Wednesday, but they'll add two pitchers back into the rotation this week with Bradish returning Thursday and John Means (elbow) expected to take the hill Friday or Saturday in Cincinnati. Bradish was diagnosed with a sprained UCL in his pitching elbow upon reporting to spring training, but he was able to avoid surgery and has seemingly bounced back from the injury after a lengthy rest and rehab period. He closed his three-start minor-league rehab assignment on a high note last Friday with Triple-A Norfolk, striking out six over five innings and allowing one run on five hits and one walk. He built up to 77 pitches in that outing and should have only a light workload restriction in place Thursday when he makes his 2024 Orioles debut. Bradish emerged as arguably the Orioles' top starter in his second MLB season in 2023, logging a 2.83 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 168:44 K:BB across 168.2 innings.

Hancock (3-3) took the loss Wednesday, coughing up five runs (one earned) on five hits and four walks over 3.2 innings as the Mariners fell 5-2 to Atlanta. He struck out four.

The right-hander's own throwing error in the third inning led to the game's first run, while a Mitch Haniger misplay in the fourth set the stage for a four-run outburst by Atlanta. Hancock tossed 47 of 77 pitches for strikes before exiting as he failed to complete four innings for the second time in six starts. The 24-year-old has had his moments in the Seattle rotation, but he could be headed to the bullpen or the minors soon with Bryan Woo (elbow) closing in on his return. Hancock should get at least one more turn while Woo finishes getting stretched out and will take a 4.75 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 23:9 K:BB through 30.1 innings into his next outing, which could come early next week in Minnesota.

Montgomery (1-2) took the loss against the Dodgers on Wednesday, allowing six runs on six hits and three walks over three innings while striking out one.

It wasn't Montgomery's night as the lefty got pounded for five runs in the second inning after failing to retire six batters in a row, leading to his shortest outing of the campaign. He allowed a season-high two home runs in the contest and posted just one strikeout, giving him an 8:4 K:BB through his first three starts. Montgomery produced only three swinging strikes on the night and has yet to record more than four strikeouts in an outing, despite going six or more innings on two occasions.

Rom is expected to undergo left shoulder surgery, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The exact nature of the operation isn't known yet, but surgery was recommended after Rom met with Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas on Tuesday. The surgery presumably would end Rom's 2024 season before it begins, but more information on a timeline should be known after the procedure.

Sale (4-1) picked up the win Wednesday in a 5-2 victory over the Mariners, allowing one run on six hits over five innings. He struck out nine without walking a batter.

The veteran lefty wasn't exactly efficient, needing 100 pitches to record 15 outs, but Sale generated an eye-popping 21 swinging strikes in another dominant performance. The nine Ks were a season high, and Sale has given up three runs or less in five of his six starts to begin his Atlanta tenure. He'll take a 3.44 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 42:7 K:BB through 36.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up for a home start next week against the former club, the Red Sox.

Yamamoto (3-1) earned the win over the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, allowing five hits and two walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out five.

Yamamoto allowed the leadoff man to reach in back-to-back innings to open the contest but still managed to keep Arizona's lineup at bay over six frames. The right-hander has now hurled 12 scoreless innings over his last two starts and has won each of his last three decisions after imploding in his MLB debut. He's also logged three straight quality starts.

Stripling (1-5) picked up the win Wednesday, scattering three hits over six scoreless innings in a 4-0 victory over the Pirates. He struck out two without walking a batter.

It's been a long drought for Stripling, who prior to Wednesday had collected his last big-league win on the final day of the 2022 season while with the Blue Jays. The quality start was the second of the 2024 campaign for the right-hander, and he's allowed three runs or less in four straight outings. Despite his poor record, Stripling will take a respectable 4.24 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB through 40.1 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come at home early next week against the Rangers.