MLB Player News

Wacha (4-5) allowed four runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out two batters over seven innings in a loss against Texas on Thursday.

Wacha looked like he could be in for a short outing after giving up three runs on five hits over the first three innings. The veteran righty was able to settle down thereafter and surrendered only one more run, but the Royals' offense was never able to catch up. Wacha notched just seven whiffs on 102 pitches and tied a season low with two punchouts, but he at least managed to spare a thin KC bullpen by covering seven frames. He has once again provided a reliable arm for the Royals, posting a 3.58 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 69:27 K:BB through 88 innings across 14 starts.

Rocker allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three batters over 4.2 innings in a no-decision against Kansas City on Thursday.

Rocker was great through three innings, holding the Royals scoreless on one hit. However, the right-hander faded in the fourth, yielding two runs on three hits and a walk. Rocker returned for the fifth and retired the first two batters he faced before giving up a Bobby Witt single and subsequently being pulled. Though it was far from a disastrous outing, Thursday marked the first time since May 8 that Rocker was unable to complete five frames. He holds a 3.56 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 52:28 K:BB over 65.2 innings spanning 13 appearances (12 starts).

Pham is expected to opt out of his minor-league contract with the Orioles, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Pham signed a minor-league contract with the Orioles on May 16 and has since slashed just .172/.246/.345 with three homers, nine RBI and 10 runs scored through 65 plate appearances. The 38-year-old outfielder isn't likely to make much of a contribution in the majors at this stage in his career, so he will likely have to settle for another minor-league deal in free agency or consider retirement.

Manager Will Venable said Thursday that the team is considering promoting Smith to start Saturday's game against the Dodgers, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

The White Sox don't currently have a probable pitcher listed for Saturday's contest, but Smith could get the nod after posting a 3.76 ERA and 1.32 WHIP while striking out 79 batters in 52.2 innings at Triple-A Charlotte. The 22-year-old southpaw has found consistent success on the mound throughout his minor-league career, though that consistency would certainly be put to the test while making his MLB debut against one of the league's most dynamic offenses. Venable noted there is also a chance the team keeps Smith in the minors for a while longer and relies on its bullpen to get through Saturday.

Montgomery (back) will start at third base and bat cleanup in Thursday's game against Atlanta.

The 24-year-old infielder will step back into the starting nine after a tight back kept him from playing the past two days. Over his first six games of June, Montgomery has gone 3-for-23 (.130 average) with a home run, three runs and two RBI while striking out at a 44.4 percent clip.

Schultz (knee) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Manager Will Venable said that Schultz will throw at least one more bullpen session before the White Sox potentially plot out a rehab assignment for the rookie left-hander, who has been on the shelf since May 26 due to right knee patellar tendinitis. Prior to landing on the injured list, Schultz went 2-4 with a 5.82 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 33:22 K:BB across 38.2 innings.

Kremer (quadriceps) threw another live batting practice session Thursday at the Orioles' spring training complex and could be cleared to begin a rehab assignment next, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Kremer threw 35 pitches -- which included two "ups" -- and also went through pitchers' fielding practice drills. The veteran hurler has been shelved since late April with a right quad strain but looks to be tracking toward a return around July 1 if he continues at his current progression.

Brash has returned to Seattle to have his right lat strain evaluated further, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Brash missed most of May with a strained lat and then went back on the 15-day injured list Wednesday after aggravating the injury. More should be known about a timetable once he's looked at by doctors in Seattle, but manager Dan Wilson acknowledged Thursday that there is "going to be a little bit more time down" for Brash during this second IL stint.

The Tigers claimed Outman off waivers from the Twins on Thursday.

Outman was booted off the Twins' 40-man roster Saturday after slashing .156/.229/.250 across 70 plate appearances, but he'll now find a new home with Detroit. The 29-year-old doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so he'll claim a spot on the big-league roster upon joining the Tigers, though he'll likely serve primarily as a bench outfielder. Javier Baez (ankle) was transferred to the 60-day IL in a corresponding move.

The Tigers transferred Baez (ankle) to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for waiver claim James Outman. Baez encountered a setback earlier this month with his right high-ankle sprain and remains shut down from baseball activities. He's now ineligible for activation until late June, but it seems unlikely Baez will be ready by then, anyway. A timeline for his return won't become clearer until he is able to ramp up activities again and eventually go out on a rehab assignment.