MLB Player News

Alvarez went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and three total runs scored in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Orioles.

Alvarez extended Houston's lead to 6-0 in the second inning of Thursday's nightcap with a 424-foot blast off Brandon Young, his 12th homer of the year, tying Aaron Judge and Munetaka Murakami for the league lead. It was another huge effort from Alvarez after he went 0-for-4 in the opening game of the doubleheader, ending a 13-game hitting streak. The 28-year-old slugger is now slashing an eye-popping .356/.462/.737 through his first 143 plate appearances this season with 27 RBI and 25 runs scored.

Young (2-1) took the loss in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Astros, allowing 10 runs (seven earned) on 10 hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out two.

Young was solid in his first two major-league starts, allowing just three runs over 10.2 innings. It was a drastically different story Thursday, however, as the Astros tagged the right-hander for five runs in the first inning and another four in the fourth. Despite the rough showing, Young figures to get at least one more look in Baltimore's rotation with Trevor Rogers (illness) and Dean Kremer (quadriceps) sidelined. He's tentatively lined up to face the Marlins on the road in his next outing.

Anderson signed a minor-league contract with the Angels on Thursday.

Anderson elected free agency Tuesday after being designated for assignment by the Angels earlier in the week, but he will now return to the organization on a new deal. The right-hander made nine appearances with the Angels before being let go, compiling a 5.94 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 12 strikeouts over 16.2 innings. He will now look to get into a rhythm with Triple-A Salt Lake in an attempt to potentially get another look with the big-league club later this season.

McCullers (2-2) earned the win Thursday in the second game of a doubleheader with the Orioles, allowing three runs on two hits and four walks over six innings. He struck out nine.

After allowing 17 runs (15 earned) in just 14.1 innings across his previous three starts, McCullers rebounded with an impressive performance against the Orioles, matching his season high with nine strikeouts. McCullers' ERA now sits at 6.32 with a 1.40 WHIP and 33:17 K:BB across six starts (31.1 innings) this season. He'll look to build on Thursday's performance in his next outing, tentatively scheduled as a tough home matchup next week against the Dodgers.

Espada was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after Thursday's doubleheader against the Astros.

Espada was added to the major-league roster ahead of the doubleheader, and he pitched a scoreless inning, allowing two hits in the team's 10-3 win over Houston in the matinee. The right-hander will now return to Norfolk, where he has a 5.40 ERA and 7:9 K:BB across 10 innings this year.

Rodon (elbow) allowed one earned run on five hits and no walks while striking out eight batters over 5.1 innings in a rehab start Thursday with Double-A Somerset.

Rodon was dominant in the second outing of his rehab assignment, spotting 51 of his 75 total pitches for strikes. The southpaw was able to build off the 4.1 scoreless innings he threw Friday with High-A Hudson Valley. Rodon is on the precipice of making his 2026 debut with Yankees after opening the season on the 15-day injured list while recovering from left elbow surgery that he underwent in October. He'll likely wrap his rehab assignment with one more start next Tuesday or Wednesday.

Povich is expected to be called up from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Povich will return to the major-league roster after being sent down to Norfolk on April 13. The southpaw will help fill the void of Trevor Rogers (illness) in the Orioles' starting rotation after Rogers was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday. Povich has made two appearances, including one start, with Baltimore this season, posting an impressive 2.19 ERA and 0.97 WHIP with seven strikeouts over 12.1 innings. He appears to be on track to draw a start on the mound Friday or Saturday against the Yankees.

Imai (arm) will make another start during his minor-league rehab assignment in the coming week, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Imai tossed two innings, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out two batters during his first rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi on Tuesday. Manager Joe Espada announced Thursday that the right-hander will make another start while on his rehab assignment, though it's currently unclear at what level his next outing will come. Imai has been sidelined since April 13 while recovering from right arm fatigue, and the additional time away may have allowed him to better adjust to life in the United States, which was something else he was reportedly struggling with, per Jack Baer of Yahoo Sports.

Kirk (thumb) has begun a throwing program at the Blue Jays' complex in Florida, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Kirk has spent the past several weeks recovering from a procedure he underwent in early April to repair his fractured left thumb. He was given a six-week return timeline following the operation, which would put him in line to be activated sometime around mid-May, though an updated estimate will likely emerge as he continues to check off boxes in his rehab program.

Wallner isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Blue Jays.

After going 0-for-6 with four strikeouts and a walk during Minnesota's last series against Seattle, Wallner will step out of the lineup Thursday while Austin Martin starts in right field for the Twins.