MLB Player News

The Orioles optioned Zimmermann to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.

After making 13 starts for the Orioles before losing his spot in the rotation and getting optioned to Triple-A on June 16, Zimmermann rejoined the big club Saturday. He worked in a relief role during his one-day stint with Baltimore, covering a scoreless frame out of the bullpen in Saturday's 1-0 win over the Angels en route to claiming a hold. Baltimore will replace him on its pitching staff with Rico Garcia, whose contract was selected from Norfolk ahead of Sunday's series finale.

The Orioles outrighted Diplan to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.

Diplan will stick in the organization after he went unclaimed upon being exposed to waivers a few days earlier. Prior to being cast off Baltimore's 40-man roster, Diplan made five appearances out of the big-league bullpen this season and gave up an earned run while striking out eight over 5.2 innings.

The Orioles transferred Lakins (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

Lakins has been on the injured list since May 20 and wasn't on track to return before the All-Star break, so the Orioles opted to move him to the 60-day IL in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for right-handed reliever Rico Garcia. Though he'll be eligible to return immediately after the All-Star break, Lakins has yet to begin a minor-league rehab assignment, so his absence could end up stretching into August.

Smeltzer did not factor into the decision Saturday against the Rangers, allowing seven runs on eight hits while striking out two and walking three across 3.1 innings.

Smeltzer had two rough innings Saturday, allowing three runs in the second inning and four runs in the fourth before being pulled. All seven of the runs Smeltzer allowed came on home runs. The lefty threw 50 of 81 pitches for strikes across 3.1 frames. It was arguably his worst outing of the year and ballooned his ERA to 3.92. Smeltzer has given up six home runs over his past two starts.

The Orioles selected Garcia's contract from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.

Baltimore cleared room for Garcia on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster by transferring Travis Lakins (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL and by optioning Bruce Zimmermann to Triple-A. Garcia previously made two relief appearances for Baltimore this season, but he's otherwise spent most of the season at Norfolk, where he's produced a 3.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across 18 innings.

Lopez picked up the save Saturday against the Angels, striking out two and hitting one batter over a scoreless inning.

Lopez earned his 16th save of the year by closing out the one-run game. He needed 16 pitches to get through the ninth inning. After beginning the month with back-to-back blown saves, Lopez has picked up three saves in his last three appearances, reducing his ERA to 1.74 in the process. Things seem to be moving in the right direction for the righty reliever.

Howard is scheduled to start Tuesday's home game against the Athletics.

Howard will earn a second turn through the rotation after he covered four frames while allowing four earned runs on six hits and two walks in an extra-inning loss to the Orioles on July 5. He likely won't have a long leash for a starting role, however, so Howard may need to turn in a pair of decent showings during the upcoming week to ensure he sticks in the rotation after the All-Star break. Following Tuesday's outing, Howard lines up to start the Rangers' final game of the first half July 17 versus the Mariners.

Winder is scheduled to make his next turn through the Minnesota rotation in Tuesday's home game against the Brewers.

With Chris Archer (hip) recently joining Bailey Ober (groin) on the 15-day injured list, Winder looks like he'll hold down a rotation spot at least through the All-Star break. In his return to the big club last Tuesday, Winder tossed five innings in a winning effort against the White Sox, allowing two earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three.

Holmes was charged with a blown save against the Red Sox on Saturday as a result of allowing one hit and one walk over 1.1 scoreless innings. He struck out one batter.

Holmes entered the contest with two outs and a runner on second base while the Yankees were up by one run in the eighth inning. He walked Xander Bogaerts and gave up a single to Alex Verdugo, allowing Boston to tie the score. Holmes then retired Trevor Story and retired the side in order in the ninth, but Boston pulled out the win in the 10th frame. The blown save was just the second in 18 chances for Holmes on the season, and he's been exceptional overall with a minuscule 0.46 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 40:6 K:BB over 39.1 innings.

Hill (1-1) allowed six earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out one across five innings to take the loss Saturday against the White Sox.

Hill was hit hard early, highlighted by a three-run home run off the bat of Gavin Sheets in the first inning. While he managed to settle in after allowing three additional runs in the second frame, the damage was already done. Saturday's start was Hill's second in the major leagues, and he earned an opportunity after performing well in the upper levels of the minors. However, with both Rony Garcia (shoulder) and Matt Manning (shoulder) nearing a return, Hill may not have the opportunity to stick in Detroit's rotation for much longer.