MLB Player News

Weems was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Weems made two relief appearances during his most recent stint in the majors and allowed two runs on a hit and two walks while striking out one in two innings. The right-hander will now return to the minors after James Kaprielian was called up ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday.

Woods Richardson recorded eight strikeouts and gave up one run on one hit and two walks over five innings for Double-A New Hampshire on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old right-hander has overmatched Double-A hitters so far, posting a 2.00 ERA and 16:3 K:BB through his first nine innings. Woods Richardson, the Jays' No. 4 fantasy prospect, has an outside chance of making his big-league debut this season if he forces an early promotion to Triple-A, but more likely he'll head into spring training next year competing for a rotation spot.

Triple-A Charlotte activated Lopez (eye) from its 7-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against Norfolk.

After missing out on a spot in the White Sox's Opening Day rotation, Lopez will be making his first appearance for Charlotte since 2017. His 2021 debut was delayed after he required surgery on both his corneas May 2 to address a vision issue, but he's apparently good to go now. Lopez will likely remain in the Triple-A rotation until the White Sox have a need for another starter at the big-league level.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that Harvey (oblique) is scheduled to begin pitching in simulated games in the upcoming days, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Since being shut down in mid-March with a left oblique strain, Harvey doesn't appear to have hit any snags in the recovery process. Hyde reiterated that the 26-year-old remains on track in his rehab program, and the expectation remains that Harvey will be ready to return from the 60-day injured list when first eligible in late May. Before the oblique injury surfaced in the spring, Harvey looked like a leading candidate to close games for Baltimore, but his absence has paved the way for Cesar Valdez to take over as the team's primary ninth-inning man. Through 14 appearances, Valdez has posted a 2.40 ERA and 1.13 WHIP while converting eight of 11 save chances. Barring a collapse over the next couple of weeks, Valdez will likely retain the job even after Harvey returns from the IL.

Alcala gave up two runs in an inning of work in Tuesday's loss to the White Sox. He gave up two hits, including a two-run home run, and a walk without a strikeout.

Alcala had been one of the better pitchers in the Minnesota bullpen but hadn't been used much in high-leverage spots. He came into a tie game in the sixth inning and promptly gave up a walk and two-run home run, raising his ERA to 4.05. Given the struggles of Minnesota's bullpen, there was a chance he could figure into the mix of finishing games, but that notion likely took a hit Tuesday.

Yarbrough will work as the Rays' primary pitcher behind opener Collin McHugh in Wednesday's game against the Yankees, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Yarbrough will work behind an opener for the fourth time in his last five appearances, as he's had a somewhat inconsistent start to the season. The left-hander has fared slightly better as a primary pitcher, and he's posted a 3.05 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 20.2 innings across his last four outings.

McHugh will serve as the Rays' opener for Wednesday's game against the Yankees, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

McHugh pitched out of the bullpen in his first four outings of 2021, but he'll now serve as an opener for a second straight appearance. The right-hander worked as an opener Thursday and struck out five in two perfect innings. Left-hander Ryan Yarbrough is slated to serve as Wednesday's primary pitcher.

Pressly struck out one over a scoreless ninth inning in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Angels.

Pressly entered a non-save situation that became such while he warmed up during the eighth inning. Houston was holding a 1-0 lead and got Pressly ready to close the deal in the ninth, but the Angels plated the tying run. The Astros then put four on the board in the bottom half of the inning, and the already warmed up Pressly pitched a scoreless ninth.

Romano allowed a hit and walked a batter but also recorded a strikeout en route to his first save of 2021 in a 5-3 win over Atlanta on Tuesday.

Romano punched out Ozzie Albies to begin the ninth but eventually found himself in some danger with runners on first and second before getting Ehire Adrianza to fly out to end the game. The 28-year-old was roughed up in his initial outing from the injured list on April 24 but has since settled in nicely with a pair of wins, a hold and now a save while giving up just one run and generating a 5:1 K:BB over his last six innings. He's set to be the Blue Jays' primary closer once again with both Rafael Dolis (calf) and Julian Merryweather (oblique) on the injured list.

Crochet (1-2) earned his first win Tuesday, striking out one over two-thirds of an inning in a 9-3 victory over the Twins.

Crochet entered a tie game with one out and men at the corners in the top of the sixth inning. The left-hander induced a shallow fly to right field then a strikeout, keeping the score knotted up and setting the stage for the White Sox to take the lead in the bottom half of the inning. This was Crochet's first outing since being activated off the injured list.