MLB Player News

Tate won't pitch Thursday against Toronto since the game was postponed due to inclement weather.

Tate was slated to serve as the opener Thursday, but the game will be made up as part of a doubleheader in September. The Orioles will keep the starters that they initially planned to use during their weekend series against the White Sox, while the right-hander should be available out of the bullpen.

Mejia was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Mejia was hit hard in Wednesday's matinee against the Rays and allowed six runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two in 2.2 innings to take the loss. He's now been charged with losses in four of his last six appearances, and he'll head to the minors to make room for Zach Plesac (thumb), who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. It's not yet clear whether the right-hander could reclaim a rotation spot after the All-Star break.

Lowther was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Lowther was called up by the Orioles on Friday, and he made two relief appearances during his time in the majors. He allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out four in three innings, but he'll now head back to the Triple-A club after right-hander Shaun Anderson was recalled in a corresponding move.

Akin will follow opener Dillon Tate as the primary pitcher Thursday against the Blue Jays, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Akin has a 12.18 ERA and 2.18 WHIP over 17 frames in his past four starts, so manager Brandon Hyde will utilize him behind an opener in hopes of better results. Assuming the left-hander is more effective Thursday, he would have a better chance of qualifying for a victory since he won't need to last a full five innings.

King was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right middle finger contusion Thursday, retroactive to July 5.

King was a candidate to start Friday's game against the Astros, but he'll now be sidelined through the All-Star break while he recovers. It's not yet clear how much time the right-hander will require on the injured list, but he'll be eligible to return as soon as July 15, which is the Yankees' first game back from the break. Nestor Cortes could be an option to fill in as a starter if needed, while Tyler Wade was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a corresponding move.

Barlow (2-3) was tagged with the loss in relief Wednesday against the Reds after allowing two runs on three hits across one inning.

Barlow entered the seventh inning with the Royals holding a 2-0 lead and a runner on first, but he was unable to sustain that advantage, and Kansas City was down a run by the time he departed the contest. He began his outing allowing three straight hits, including a two-run double from Jonathan India, which decided the game. This was the first time Barlow gave up more than one run since April 12.

Akin won't start Thursday's game against the Blue Jays, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The southpaw was initially listed as the starter for Thursday's matchup, but the Orioles now plan to use Dillon Tate as an opener. As long as Akin isn't hurt, he could presumably be available to serve as the primary pitcher against Toronto. Across his last four appearances, the 26-year-old has posted a 12.18 ERA and 2.18 WHIP in 17 innings.

Tate will be the opener for Thursday's game against Toronto, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Tate has plenty of experience as a starter in the minors but has pitched out of the bullpen in each of his 55 major-league appearances thus far. Don't expect him to pitch particularly deep in Thursday's game, as he's topped out at 2.2 innings this season and just threw two frames on Tuesday. Keegan Akin had been scheduled to start, but the Orioles have yet to announce if he'll be the primary pitcher after Tate or if they'll simply be going with a bullpen day.

Raley was placed on the injured list due to health and safety protocols Thursday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The language of the announcement makes it clear that Raley is on the COVID-19 injured list, though whether he's tested positive for the virus himself or is merely in the protocol for contact-tracing purposes remains to be seen. Ralph Garza was recalled in a corresponding move.

Richards struck out one in a perfect inning of relief during Wednesday's 10-2 win over the Orioles.

The right-hander made short work of the O's in the sixth inning as the first man out of the bullpen after Hyun Jin Ryu. Richards is having a solid season in relief despite being traded twice, posting a 3.58 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 42:12 K:BB through 32.2 innings, and he could see more high-leverage work in Toronto than he did in Tampa Bay or Milwaukee.