MLB Player News

Maton will serve as the opener Tuesday in Kansas City, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Sam Hentges, a big lefty, will come in after Maton records 3-to-6 outs. Maton has recorded four or five outs in three of his eight appearances but has yet to log two full frames.

Hentges will follow opener Phil Maton Tuesday in Kansas City, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Maton, a righty reliever, will give hitters a different look early in this game before they face Hentges, a big lefty. The 6-foot-8 southpaw has given up three home runs and zero walks while striking out six over 5.2 innings this season. Following Maton will give Hentges a better chance to qualify for the win.

Trivino was deployed in the eighth inning of a win over the Blue Jays on Monday, securing his third hold while allowing an earned run on two hits and a wild pitch over one frame. He struck out two.

Trivino did himself no favors by allowing two of the first three batters he faced to reach and then uncorking a run-scoring wild pitch, but he rebounded to retire the last two hitters and escape the frame without further damage. The right-hander had just notched his fifth save Sunday versus Baltimore, so his eighth-inning assignment Monday isn't cause for concern from a fantasy perspective.

Pearson will start on Opening Day for Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, but he'll need to show he can work at least six innings consistently before he's considered for a promotion, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

The Jays could use some reinforcements in their rotation, but they aren't going to rush the young right-hander. Pearson tossed 65 pitches in his last appearance at the alternate training site, but his efficiency will be just as important as his stamina in determining when he rejoins Toronto's staff.

Orioles director of player development Matt Blood said Akin (finger) will start Friday for Triple-A Norfolk, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.

While he was gearing up for the minor-league season at the Orioles' alternate site in Bowie, Akin sustained a gash on his left index finger that required stitches, but he appears to have bounced back quickly. He could face a limited pitch count in his 2021 debut Friday, but Akin should be an option to join the big club if the Orioles require another starter at some point this summer.

Junis (1-2) allowed five runs on four hits and a walk with two strikeouts over 1.2 innings to take the loss Monday versus Cleveland.

Junis' return to a bullpen role went terribly -- he allowed a two-run single to Franmil Reyes in the fifth inning and a three-run homer to Eddie Rosario in the sixth. The 28-year-old Junis now owns a 5.04 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB across 25 innings. He's unlikely to see high-leverage work out of the bullpen, which greatly diminishes his fantasy value.

Orioles director of player development Matt Blood said Tuesday that Baumann (elbow) will be held back at extended spring training in Florida for the start of the minor-league season while he manages arm discomfort, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Baumann was sidelined last September due to a right flexor strain, so he's presumably dealing with discomfort related to that injury. Blood suggested that Baumann isn't being shut down from his throwing program as a result of the setback, and the 25-year-old could be ready to pitch in games at Triple-A Norfolk by the end of the month. The right-hander impressed in his first taste of the upper minors in 2019, posting a 2.31 ERA over 13 outings at Double-A Bowie.

Valdez pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts to earn a save in Monday's 5-3 win over Seattle.

Valdez threw 10 pitches (nine strikes) to retire the side for his seventh save of the season. The 36-year-old right-hander has been solid this year with a 1.32 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB across 13.2 innings. He's now 7-for-9 in save chances, and he's also earned two wins in 12 outings.

Clase gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Monday to record his sixth save of the season in an 8-6 win over the Royals.

The 23-year-old kept his ERA at a pristine 0.00 with another strong outing. Clase does have one blown save on his ledger, but he's otherwise been sharp in his high-leverage role, posting a 14:3 K:BB through 13.1 innings.

Puk (biceps) is slated to throw 30 pitches over two simulated innings in the bullpen Tuesday, the Associated Press reports.

The recovering southpaw threw a bullpen session Saturday that he apparently got through without setbacks, so he'll ramp up the volume Tuesday. Puk's current tenure on the injured list dates all the way back to April 7, so he may still need at least a couple of other throwing sessions, if not a rehab appearance or two, before he's deemed ready for activation.