MLB Player News

Triple-A Norfolk activated Willems (hamstring) from its 7-day injured list Tuesday.

Following a brief rehab assignment with High-A Frederick, Willems is back in Triple-A after missing about three weeks due to a left hamstring injury. The catcher is slashing .259/.358/.431 with 13 home runs, 42 RBI, and 32 runs scored over 103 plate appearances for Norfolk this season.

The Orioles recalled Walker from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

The 31-year-old acted as the 27th man during Wednesday's doubleheader against Boston before being returned to Triple-A, but Walker hasn't actually pitched in a big-league game since June 30. With Norfolk, the left-hander has posted a 3.73 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 34:10 K:BB in 31.1 innings.

Irish was placed on the 7-day injured list at High-A Frederick on Friday with a torn left meniscus, Steve Melewski of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Irish suffered the unfortunate injury on a slide into second base earlier this week. It concludes what was a terrific first full pro season for Irish, who slashed .286/.388/.528 with 16 home runs, 20 stolen bases and a 43:75 BB:K over 76 games with Frederick. Irish will likely move up to Double-A to start next season.

Mize (groin/wrist) is listed as the Tigers' scheduled starting pitcher for Saturday's game against the Royals at Comerica Park.

Mize was forced out of his previous start Sunday in Anaheim midway through the fourth inning due to a mild aggravation of a groin injury in addition to a left wrist contusion, which he sustained after getting his with a comebacker. Per MLB.com, the right-hander wasn't troubled by either issue while going through his normal routine between starts, so he should be free of restrictions Saturday. Since allowing a season-high five earned runs in his second start of the season April 6 in Minnesota, Mize has submitted a 2.43 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 69:14 K:BB in 70.1 innings over his subsequent 13 appearances.

Straw went 0-for-2 with a walk, a run scored and a stolen base in Thursday's win over the Rays.

The veteran speedster got the start in center field but wound up playing all three outfield spots over the course of the afternoon as the Blue Jays went to their bench frequently in a 3-1 win. Straw has seen his playing time pick up of late, but over his last 10 games he's batting just .136 (3-for-33) with two runs and two steals. If Toronto ends up as a seller at the trade deadline, however, he could wind up as the team's top option in center field down the stretch with Daulton Varsho a likely candidate to be moved.

Rodriguez (elbow) began a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Florida Complex League on Thursday, giving up a solo home run and striking out three in one inning.

Rodriguez served up a home run to the first batter he faced since last August's flexor surgery, but he then rebounded to fan the next three hitters. The 29-year-old will need several rehab outings as he preps for a return to the Rays' bullpen. Rodriguez posted a 2.12 ERA and 59:17 K:BB over 68 innings the last two seasons for Tampa Bay, so he could provide a nice boost to the relief corps if he can regain his pre-surgery form.

Springer went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and an RBI in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Rays.

After drawing a walk in his first plate appearance, Springer gave Toronto the lead with an RBI single in the third inning before adding a double in the sixth. The veteran outfielder has come out of the All-Star break swinging a hot bat, going 8-for-22 (.364) with five RBI and a 1.008 OPS through six games.

Outman went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Royals.

Outman supplied most of Detroit's offense Thursday when he took John Schreiber deep in the seventh inning, giving him four home runs on the season. While the blast proved decisive, it has otherwise been a difficult month for the outfielder, who owns a .128 batting average (6-for-47) and 42.6 percent strikeout rate across 16 games in July. Overall, Outman has struggled to a .159/.218/.297 slash line this season.

Collins went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Tigers.

Collins broke a scoreless tie in the sixth inning by taking Troy Melton deep for his sixth long ball of the season. The outfielder hasn't gone consecutive contests without a hit since June 9 and is batting .297 over that 35-game stretch. On the season, Collins is slashing .245/.346/.372 with 17 doubles, one triple, 34 RBI, 37 runs scored and six stolen bases across 93 games.

Finnegan earned the save Thursday against the Royals, recording the final two outs in a 4-3 victory.

With Kenley Jansen unavailable after pitching three of the previous four days, Drew Sommers got the initial call in the ninth but was pulled after allowing a walk and a single. Finnegan entered with two runners on and one out and needed just two pitches to induce a game-ending double play from Salvador Perez, earning his second save of the season and first since April 30. While the veteran right-hander owns a respectable 2.36 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP and 35:25 K:BB across 45.2 innings, he has struggled to protect leads this season, getting charged with six blown saves.