MLB Player News

Irvin (2-1) picked up the win Saturday, scattering four hits over seven scoreless innings in a 7-0 victory over the A's. He struck out five without walking a batter.

For the second straight start, Irvin led the Orioles to a combined shutout. The southpaw retired the first 10 batters he faced, and Oakland failed to get a baserunner into scoring position until he'd left the mound. Irvin tossed 63 of 89 pitches for strikes as he extended his scoreless streak to 14.1 innings, and his impressive stretch may have come in the nick of time to save his rotation spot -- Kyle Bradish (elbow) is ready to come off the IL, and John Means (forearm) may not be far behind. Bradish lines up to take Irvin's spot next Wednesday at home against the Yankees, but Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reported prior to Saturday's game that Baltimore could shift to a six-man rotation in the short term. Irvin sports a 3.49 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB through 28.1 innings.

Gray (3-1) picked up the win Saturday versus the Mets, allowing four runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out nine.

The Mets plated four runs during a sloppy fifth inning by the Cardinals which included a Nolan Arenado error. Just one of the runs on Gray's ledgers was earned, however, and he was in total control outside of that frame, facing just three over the minimum. Gray handed out a season-high three free passes in this one, but with the nine punchouts he now has an excellent 32:4 K:BB over his first 23.1 innings with St. Louis.

Sears (1-2) took the loss Saturday as the A's were dropped 7-0 by the Orioles, surrendering seven runs on eight hits -- including three home runs -- and a walk over 6.1 innings. He struck out eight.

The lefty looked great the first time through the order, retiring the first nine batters he faced, but Baltimore jumped on Sears for three runs in the fourth inning and back-to-back solo shots by Adley Rutschman and Ryan Mountcastle in the fifth, before Gunnar Henderson chased him from the game in the seventh with a two-run blast. Sears did set a new season high in strikeouts and generated 33 called or swinging strikes among his 98 pitches, but he was made to pay when he missed his spots in the strike zone. He'll carry a 4.64 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 24:11 K:BB through 33 innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next weekend against the Marlins.

Kikuchi (2-2) took the loss Saturday, giving up four runs on nine hits over six innings as the Blue Jays fell 4-2 to the Dodgers. He struck out three without walking a batter.

While the southpaw managed to keep the ball in the yard, he still gave up some very loud contact, including three extra-base hits and an RBI single by Shohei Ohtani in the second inning that left his bat with a stunning exit velocity of 119.2 mph. Kikuchi saw his quality start streak end at three, but he'll take a strong 2.94 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 36:8 K:BB through 33.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next weekend against the Nationals.

An MRI on Cobb's right shoulder came back negative Saturday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Cobb was pulled off his throwing progression a few days ago after experiencing soreness in his shoulder, but he doesn't appear to be dealing with any structural damage. The 36-year-old veteran was moved to the 60-day injured list last Saturday as he continues to work his way back from an offseason hip procedure, and he's also battled elbow problems during his rehab process. He will be eligible to return beginning May 27, though it's unclear whether or not he will be ready to go by then.

Glasnow was removed from his start Saturday against the Blue Jays due to cramping in his right hand, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Glasnow didn't appear to be in significant pain when he was removed during the seventh inning of Saturday's contest, so his removal was likely precautionary. The Dodgers will monitor his situation, but it doesn't seem like the 30-year-old righty is at risk of missing his next start. Glasnow picked up his fifth win of the season Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and three walks over six-plus innings while striking out nine.

Pivetta (elbow) is pencilled in to make a rehab start Thursday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

He threw 50 pitches in a live batting practice session Saturday, so Pivetta may only need one rehab outing before rejoining the big-league rotation. If he does return after Thursday's rehab start, Pivetta would line up to start in the two-game series in Atlanta on either May 8 or May 9.

Manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that Steele (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Counsell didn't say how many starts the Cubs want Steele to make in the minors, but the 28-year-old southpaw is likely in for multiple rehab outings after sitting out roughly a month due to a strained left hamstring. Assuming his assignment goes smoothly, Steele will likely return to Chicago's rotation toward the middle of May.

The Astros removed Valdez (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Saturday, per the MLB transaction log.

Valdez is set to start in Sunday's game against the Rockies as part of a two-game series in Mexico City. The 30-year-old southpaw landed on the Astros' 15-day IL on April 9 due to left elbow inflammation. Valdez threw a 40-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, and he will likely be on a pitch count over his first few outings.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Saturday that Bradish (elbow) is poised to return from the 15-day injured list during the upcoming week and will reclaim a spot in the Baltimore rotation, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

Bradish's return can't come soon enough for an Orioles rotation that remains without John Means (forearm) and Tyler Wells (elbow). The right-hander made three rehab starts while recovering from a right UCL sprain that cropped up early in the spring and forced him to the IL to begin the season. His his most recent rehab outing Friday with Triple-A Norfolk was Bradish's sharpest yet, as he struck out six while allowing one run on five hits and one walk over five innings on 77 pitches (49 strikes). Since Bradish had been pitching every fifth day during his rehab assignment, he could slot into the Baltimore rotation as soon as Wednesday, but the Orioles are more likely to give him an extra day to recover and have him take the hill for Thursday's series finale with the Yankees at Camden Yards.