MLB Player News

Wittgren allowed a walk and struck out one in a scoreless inning during Thursday's 7-4 win over Kansas City.

Scoreless innings have been hard to come by for Wittgren -- he's given up five runs in his last 6.2 innings. The right-hander remains in a fairly low-leverage role with a 4.70 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 33:7 K:BB through 30.2 innings. He's picked up a save and six holds, but he's only recorded three holds in his last 16 appearances.

Maton struck out two in a perfect inning in Thursday's 7-4 win over Kansas City.

The 28-year-old pitched the fifth inning after starter Zach Plesac gave up three runs in four innings in his first start back from a broken thumb. Maton has strung together 5.1 scoreless innings in his last five appearances, which is his longest scoreless streak of the year. The reliever has a 4.93 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 50:16 K:BB across 34.2 innings in a low-leverage role.

Barlow allowed three runs on a hit and two walks with one strikeout in one inning, taking a blown save in Thursday's 7-4 loss to Cleveland.

Barlow pitched the eighth inning, but he wasn't able to get through it without giving up a three-run home run to Cleveland catcher Roberto Perez. This was Barlow's second blown save in as many outings, although he avoided taking the loss as he did Wednesday versus Cincinnati. The right-hander has a 2.95 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 60:19 K:BB through 42.2 innings this season. With both Barlow and Greg Holland struggling recently, Josh Staumont or Kyle Zimmer could see more high-leverage work in Kansas City's closing committee.

Karinchak (5-2) blew the save Thursday against the Royals but registered the victory after allowing one run on two hits in one inning. He struck out a pair.

Karinchak was tasked with protecting a 4-3 lead in the ninth inning, but Carlos Santana blasted a leadoff home run to center field on a full-count pitch to tie things up. Cleveland turned Karinchak's blown save into a win when Franmil Reyes hit a walkoff three-run dinger in the bottom of the inning. It was only the second blown save in 11 opportunities for Karinchak, who owns a 2.58 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 38.1 innings on the season. Opponents are hitting just .129 off the 25-year-old, who has racked up 66 strikeouts against 22 walks.

Diekman allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Astros.

Diekman earned his seventh save of the season, but his first since May 26. He was presumably called upon in favor of Lou Trivino due to lefties Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker being due up in the final frame. Given that Trivino has racked up 13 saves to this point in the season -- seven of which came since Diekman's most recent save prior to Thursday -- Trivino should be considered the Athletics' primary closer. However, with Trevor Rosenthal (hip/shoulder) ruled out for the season, Diekman should still see occasional save chances moving forward.

Borucki (forearm) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Borucki struck out one in a perfect relief inning for Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, and he felt good afterward. The southpaw is eligible to be reinstated from the 60-day injured list as early as this weekend, and the team is currently in the process of deciding between activating him prior to the All-Star break or giving him another rehab appearance.

Akin won't serve as the primary pitcher Thursday versus the Blue Jays after the game was postponed due to rain.

The left-hander was slated to follow opener Dillon Tate, but the postponement will lead to an unplanned off day for both teams. According to Joe Trezza of MLB.com, Baltimore won't alter its pitching plans for this weekend against the White Sox despite the schedule change, so Akin should be available out of the bullpen for the final three games before the All-Star break.

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.