MLB Player News

Kansas City placed Staumont on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, retroactive to June 6, with a neck strain.

Staumont will be out of action for two-plus weeks while he recovers from the injury. The right-hander has been replaced on the roster by Austin Cox, who was recalled from Triple-A Omaha. Staumont has struggled so far in 2023, logging a 5.40 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 20 innings with Kansas City.

Kansas City recalled Cox from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

Cox will take the active roster spot of Josh Staumont, who was placed on the 15-day injured list with a neck strain. The 26-year-old Cox has been working as a starter at Triple-A, but unless the Royals elect to move Mike Mayers to the bullpen, Cox looks as though he'll be limited to a mop-up role in relief for the time being.

Barlow (illness) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday and struck out one over a perfect inning of relief in an appearance against Salt Lake.

Barlow is first able return from the 15-day injured list early next week and looks as though he could be in line for activation near his eligibility date if he can turn in another strong rehab appearance or two. The right-hander was shelved in late May after he was diagnosed with kidney stones, but he's apparently made a swift recovery.

Voth (1-2) allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning, taking the extra-inning loss Tuesday versus the Brewers.

Voth was called on for another short assignment Tuesday, his second since serving as a primary pitcher May 31 versus the Guardians. This one didn't go particularly well, and he has now given up six runs (four earned) over nine innings across his last five appearances. The Orioles haven't revealed their rotation for this weekend's series versus the Royals -- it's still possible Voth could make a start or serve as a bulk reliever in one of those three games. There's also a chance Baltimore recalls Cole Irvin, who has pitched to a 3.21 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 22:4 K:BB over 42 innings at Triple-A Norfolk. Irvin hasn't pitched for the Tides since May 31, and the affiliate's pitching plans beyond Wednesday are yet to be determined. Voth would likely return to the bullpen full-time if Irvin were promoted.

De Los Santos (2-1) allowed four runs on two hits and two walks without recording an out to take the loss Tuesday versus the Red Sox.

De Los Santos also took a blown save for failing to protect a 2-1 lead in the eighth inning. It was easily his worst outing of the season -- he had a 6.2-inning scoreless streak from May 19 to June 3 and hadn't given up multiple runs in any appearance since April 9. The right-handed reliever still has a 3.52 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP, 18:10 K:BB and four holds over 23 innings this season. De Los Santos is likely to remain in a middle-reliever role.

Smith pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up the save Tuesday over the Cardinals. He struck out one in his appearance.

Smith has now tossed four straight scoreless outings while not allowing a hit and picking up two saves and a win in the process. He's now converted 11-of-12 save chances on the year and sports a 2.86 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 26:7 K:BB over 22 innings.

Lambert (ankle) was sent to Triple-A Charlotte on a rehab assignment Wednesday.

Lambert has been on the 15-day injured list since May 29 and will now likely make multiple appearances with Charlotte before potentially returning to the big leagues. The right-hander is eligible to return June 13.

The Athletics announced Wednesday that Jackson (elbow) could begin a throwing program next week, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Jackson has spent the past two and a half weeks resting after he landed on the 15-day injured list May 19 with a right flexor tendon strain. Because he had been serving largely as a one-inning reliever prior to being shut down, Jackson won't required an extensive ramp-up period, though he still looks unlikely to make it back from the IL until at least late June even if he experiences no further setbacks once he starts throwing again.

Holton allowed two hits while striking out two over two scoreless innings in Tuesday's 1-0 loss to the Phillies.

Horton has been solid of late for the Tigers, pitching to a 1.76 ERA over his last eight appearances (15.1 innings). The rookie left-hander lowered his ERA to 2.32 with a 0.94 WHIP and 23:8 K:BB through 31 innings this season while earning more high-leverage work in Detroit.

Criswell is expected to serve as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Shawn Armstrong in Wednesday's game against the Twins, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Armstrong is unlikely to work more than once through the order before turning the game over to the bullpen, with Criswell being the primary candidate to cover multiple innings behind him. Criswell has yet to make a start for the Rays this season but has covered at least 2.1 innings in each of his five appearances with the big club, pitching to a 6.11 ERA and 1.64 WHIP.