MLB Player News

The Orioles optioned Lowther to Triple-A Norfolk following Sunday's 18-5 win over Cleveland, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports. Lowther covered the final two innings of the contest, giving up two runs on three hits while striking out three.

Baltimore summoned Lowther from Triple-A earlier Sunday after staff ace John Means (shoulder) was moved to the injured list in a corresponding move. Due to upcoming off days Monday and Thursday, the Orioles are expected to get by with four starters until June 15 in Cleveland, so the team didn't call up Lowther to serve as a direct replacement in the rotation. Lowther would be eligible to rejoin the Orioles on June 15, so he could still be an option to start that game if Means isn't ready to return from the IL.

Pressly allowed a walk in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 6-3 win over Toronto.

Pressly was never in danger of giving up a three-run lead in the ninth inning. Houston's closer has gone 9-for-10 in save chances with a 2.16 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 25:5 K:BB across 25 innings this year.

Triple-A Omaha reinstated Lovelady (undisclosed) from its 7-day injured list Sunday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Lovelady's injury had prevented him from pitching since he was optioned to the minors April 17. The 25-year-old lefty has made 26 appearances out of the Kansas City bullpen over the past two seasons, logging a 7.71 ERA over 21 career innings.

General manager Ross Atkins said Sunday that Borucki (forearm) is pain-free and close to starting a throwing progression, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Borucki has been on the injured list since May 14 with the forearm strain and has taken longer than initially expected to return. He'll resume throwing in the coming days, which will likely be followed by a rehab assignment if all goes well. With that said, a mid-to-late-June return to the Blue Jays' bullpen appears to be the best-case scenario for the southpaw.

Manager A.J. Hinch said Fulmer, who was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday, will undergo further tests on his strained right shoulder later in the day when the Tigers return to Detroit, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

The Tigers don't believe Fulmer is dealing with structural damage to the shoulder, but the medical tests should provide more information about the extent of his injury and a potential timeline for his recovery. With Fulmer on the shelf for at least the next week and a half, Gregory Soto and Jose Cisnero look like the best options for saves out of the Detroit bullpen.

Balazovic (back) struck out five batters with two walks over 3.1 scoreless innings Saturday for Double-A Wichita in his 2021 debut.

Balazovic suffered a back injury during spring training that forced him to begin the minor-league season on the injured list. He likely had a limited workload in his first start as a result. The Twins' top pitching prospect also didn't get much work last summer as he was a late addition to the team's alternate training camp, so the Twins may keep him at one level for the full summer.

Staumont (knee) was activated from the injured list Sunday, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports reports.

Staumont was placed on the 10-day injured list with a knee sprain May 28, with the move being backdated to May 26. He'll now rejoin the Royals after missing just the minimum 10 days, though it's not clear if he'll carry on as the preferred closer option immediately.

Lowther was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.

Lowther was recalled by the Orioles on Wednesday and then sent back to Norfolk on Thursday without making an appearance with the big club. He'll rejoin Baltimore ahead of their game against Cleveland on Saturday and figures to be able to pitch in long relief if needed. John Means (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding roster move. Lowther could be a candidate to take Means' spot in the rotation while the left-hander recovers.

Soto pitched a scoreless eighth inning and recorded a hold in Saturday's 4-3 win over the White Sox. He struck out two.

Detroit manager A.J. Hinch decided to use Soto in the eighth inning and then Jose Cisnero for his first MLB save in the ninth. Soto leads the team with five saves and has a solid 3.09 ERA, so this was likely more of a situational decision than a full-on switch at closer for the Tigers. Still, with Soto being Detroit's best left-handed reliever, Hinch will likely continue using him in important late-game spots, and those might not always come in the ninth inning.

Cisnero pitched a scoreless ninth inning to record the save in Saturday's 4-3 win over the White Sox. He struck out one.

The Tigers decided to use Gregory Soto for the eighth inning, then Cisnero in the ninth, and the move worked out. Soto leads the team with five saves and has a solid 3.09 ERA, so it remains to be seen if Cisnero has overtaken him in the closer role or if this was simply a situational decision. The save is the first for Cisnero at the MLB level versus eight career blown saves. Whether he displaces Soto or not, he should remain a high-leverage reliever for Detroit, giving him some degree of fantasy appeal.