MLB Player News

The Orioles activated Armstrong from the paternity list Sunday and transferred him to the COVID-19 injured list, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Though Armstrong is set to rejoin the team after completing his paternity leave following the birth of his child, he'll be stationed on the IL for the time being while he waits to clear COVID-19 intake testing. Assuming Armstrong tests negative over the next 24 hours, he should be activated ahead of Monday's series opener versus the Yankees. Once available, Armstrong should factor into the late-inning mix for Baltimore.

The Blue Jays transferred Yates (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Sunday.

The transaction clears up a spot on the 40-man roster for lefty Tommy Milone, whose contract was selected in a corresponding move. Yates is slated to miss the entire 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery March 24.

The Blue Jays optioned Payamps to their alternate training site Sunday.

Payamps was unlikely to be available for another day or two after he recorded four outs (on 27 pitches) in his team debut in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Yankees, so Toronto elected to swap him out in favor of a fresh arm in Tommy Milone, whose contract was selected ahead of Sunday's series finale. The 26-year-old right-hander will be eligible to rejoin Toronto in 10 days, or if the Blue Jays place another player on the injured list before then.

Fulmer pitched a scoreless inning with one strikeout to record a hold in Saturday's win over Cleveland.

Fulmer has been moved to the bullpen to start 2021, and his first relief appearance of the season was a success. The righty could still work his way back into the rotation at some point, but he didn't pitch very deep into games last season in his return from Tommy John surgery, and it doesn't look like he'll do so in the early going this year.

Thornton is expected to piggyback starter T.J. Zeuch in Sunday's game against the Yankees, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Though Thornton missed out on a spot in the Blue Jays' Opening Day rotation, the coaching staff wants to keep him stretched out in the event the team's starting depth takes more hits as the season goes along. Since Zeuch maxed out at three innings over his four Grapefruit League outings, he likely won't be asked to work deep into his first start of the regular season, leaving the door open for Thornton to work as a bulk reliever. Zeuch isn't expected to make more than one turn through the rotation, so Thornton could transition into more of a multi-inning relief role after Sunday.

Chapman will be able to make his season debut Sunday against the Blue Jays after completing his two-game suspension.

Chad Green ended up picking up the save in Saturday's 5-3 win, but Chapman should step back into his familiar role as closer now that he's served the suspension he received last September for throwing at the Rays' Mike Brosseau. Chapman only pitched 11.2 innings in the abbreviated 2020 campaign, but he was excellent as usual when he was available, giving up four earned runs on six hits and four walks while striking out 22.

Crochet struck out three over 2.1 perfect innings in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Angels.

Crochet entered with two outs and two on in the bottom of the fifth and got the final out, then retired the next six batters in order. He pitched exclusively as a one-inning reliever during spring training, but as a collegiate starter, Crochet has the variety of pitches necessary to navigate multiple innings and needed just 26 of them to shut down the Angels. It was the young prospect's first appearance in 2021 after a successful introduction to MLB last year. He has yet to allow a run or walk in 8.1 innings in the majors.

Montero earned the save against San Francisco on Saturday, pitching 1.1 perfect innings and striking out one.

Montero blew his first save opportunity of the season Opening Day, but he rebounded with a spotless outing Saturday to pick up his first save. The right-hander entered in the eighth frame with a pair of runners aboard and induced a lineout to end the inning before breezing through a 1-2-3 ninth. He's locked into a fairly stable role as Seattle's closer after coming over from Texas in an offseason trade.

Staumont pitched a perfect ninth inning in Saturday's 11-4 win over the Rangers.

It was a non-save situation, but Staumont still pitched well. He needed just nine pitches to retire the side and end the game. The 27-year-old right-hander posted a 2.45 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, eight holds and a 0.7 groundball-to-flyball ratio in 25.2 innings last year. Staumont is expected to see high-leverage work in 2021, including some save opportunities. Greg Holland, Wade Davis and Scott Barlow are also in the mix to close in a crowded Royals bullpen.

Tate pitched a perfect eighth inning with one strikeout to earn a hold in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Red Sox

Tate needed only 11 pitches to retire the side in the bottom of the eighth. The 2015 first-round pick was solid in his second season, posting a 3.24 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and two holds across 16.2 innings in 2020. He only made 12 appearances -- the right-hander could be a versatile option in the Orioles' bullpen, capable of working in both long-relief and higher-leverage assignments. Tate isn't expected to be in the closer conversation.