MLB Player News

Kowar was named the Triple-A East pitcher of the month Wednesday after he went 5-0 with a 1.01 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 36:9 K:BB across 26.2 innings in his first five starts of the season.

The Royals already gave Daniel Lynch a look at the big-league level earlier this season, and Kowar is putting himself in position to be the next high-profile pitching prospect to earn a call-up. Kansas City currently has Ervin Santana filling in as its No. 5 starter while Danny Duffy (forearm) is on the shelf, but the 38-year-old isn't viewed as anything more than a temporarily option for a 27-26 Royals squad that was beginning to fade from the wild-card race prior to its ongoing three-game winning streak. Expect Kansas City to eventually make developing its younger options a greater priority as the season unfolds, making the 24-year-old Kowar an attractive pitcher to stash in deeper leagues.

Lowther will be recalled by the Orioles on Wednesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Lowther was scheduled to start for Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, but he'll instead rejoin the Orioles to serve as a long-relief option. Since starter Matt Harvey is pitching on three days' rest in Wednesday's game against the Twins, he's not expected to work deep into the contest, which could pave the way for Lowther to serve as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen. In three starts since he was optioned to Triple-A, Lowther posted a 7.15 ERA and 2.07 WHIP in 11.1 innings.

Rodriguez (shoulder) showed increased velocity in a minor-league rehab appearance Monday and could return to the big club this weekend, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The outing with Triple-A Salt Lake was Rodriguez's second as he rehabs from a shoulder injury. Angels manager Joe Maddon indicated that the appearance went well while suggesting that Rodriguez is on the verge of a return. "His velocity was up, breaking ball felt very good and he felt upbeat and positive after he was done," Maddon said. "So we're looking to get him back relatively quick. He's on the verge of getting back up here."

Mejia won't pitch Wednesday against the White Sox after the game was postponed due to inclement weather, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Mejia was expected to make his first career start Wednesday. However, Mejia will now start Friday's game against the Orioles, while Aaron Civale will serve as the starter Saturday, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports. Since Mejia hasn't recorded more than seven outs in any of his three relief appearances with Cleveland and hasn't started from Triple-A Columbus since May 12, he may not be asked to work deep into Friday's game. If that's the case, Eli Morgan could be called on to serve as a primary pitcher behind Mejia.

Crochet struck out two over two scoreless innings in Tuesday's 6-5 loss to Cleveland.

On the day it was announced that Crochet would make only single-inning appearances, the left-hander shut down Cleveland over two perfect innings. His usage may be more about pitch count than innings. He needed just seven pitches to dispatch Cleveland batters in the seventh inning, then came out for a second frame.

Sulser allowed a hit and a walk while recording a strikeout over a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save during Tuesday's 7-4 win over the Twins.

The right-hander received his first save chance of the season and came through despite allowing a couple baserunners. Sulser had five saves for the Orioles before losing the closer's role last season, but he's primarily been limited to middle relief in 2021.

Sewald (2-1) took the loss Tuesday against Oakland after allowing three runs on a hit and two walks without recording an out.

Sewald was one of three pitchers Seattle deployed in a seventh inning that saw Oakland score six times. He entered with a one-run lead and a runner on third, and promptly allowed a single followed by two walks before being removed. Daniel Zamora came in and allowed all three runners to score, which resulted in a disastrous outing for Sewald, whose ERA quadrupled from 1.00 to 4.00.

Zimmermann (3-3) earned the win Tuesday versus the Twins after allowing two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and two walks over 5.1 innings.

The 26-year-old set a season high with the seven strikeouts and has given up three runs across 10.1 innings with a 13:3 K:BB in his past two starts. Zimmermann has a 4.96 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 43:15 K:BB over 49 innings (10 starts) in 2021.

Karinchak earned the save Tuesday against the White Sox despite giving up two runs on four hits with one strikeout and one walk during the ninth inning.

The right-hander only picked up the save because he was staked a three-run lead, and he escaped by inducing a bases-loaded groundout. Karinchak was electric through his first 21 outings of the season with a 0.44 ERA, 0.48 WHIP and 38:7 K:BB, but he's now surrendered nine runs (seven earned) on nine hits with a 6:6 K:BB across his past five appearances.

Mejia will start Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Eli Morgan was originally scheduled to start Wednesday, but Mejia will instead pitch for Cleveland. Mejia has covered five innings out of the bullpen since being promoted May 18, but he began the season at Triple-A and allowed two runs on six hits with a 10:5 K:BB over nine innings (two starts).