MLB Player News

Graveman (neck) will throw 50 pitches in an intrasquad game Monday.

Gravemen has been out since early August with neck spasms, and he's dealt with neck problems in the past, but a specialist confirmed that he doesn't need surgery for now. The fact that he's already ready to throw a considerable number of pitches is undoubtedly an encouraging sign, though it's not yet clear when he's expected to return.

Loup (3-0) was credited with the victory in a win over the Blue Jays on Sunday, allowing a hit and recording no walks or strikeouts over a scoreless seventh inning.

Loup needed a scant eight pitches, six of which he threw for strikes, to get through the trio of Cavan Biggio, Randal Grichuk and Travis Shaw, the latter which he induced an inning-ending double play from. The southpaw has had just one hiccup on the season, which came when he yielded three earned runs on a couple of home runs to these same Blue Jays on Friday, but he's otherwise surrendered just one additional earned run over nine appearances overall.

Lopez worked four innings of long relief Sunday in the Orioles' 6-5 loss to the Nationals. He gave up two runs on three hits while striking out five in a no-decision.

After being scooped up off waivers from the Royals, Lopez was called upon for piggyback duties in his team debut. With starter John Means being pulled after 34 pitches as part of a pre-determined plan to build up his arm slowly following his return from the bereavement list and COVID-19 injured list, Lopez entered the game with two outs in the first inning and runners on first and second. Lopez inducing an inning-ending groundout that allowed the Orioles to escape trailing by only three runs, and he pitched effectively for another 3.2 innings to keep his team competitive. Per Joe Trezza of MLB.com, Means' pitch count is expected to climb up to around 50 in his next scheduled start, so Lopez or Thomas Eshelman could be called on to piggyback the lefty in Friday's game against the Red Sox.

Phillips was optioned to the Orioles' secondary training site Monday.

Phillips owns an unremarkable 5.87 ERA and 2.09 WHIP in 7.2 innings of relief this season, with his 17.5 percent walk rate standing out as his primary problem. Dillon Tate (forearm) was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move and will take his place in the bullpen.

Tate (forearm) was activated from the 10-day injured list Monday.

Tate was struck in the arm by a line drive early in camp and spent the early part of the season in the injured list. He's expected to fill a relief role upon his return to the club and will be looking to improve upon his numbers from his 21-inning debut last season in which he struggled to a 6.43 ERA. Evan Phillips was optioned in a corresponding move.

Pressly (1-1) struck out one over a scoreless ninth inning and picked up the win against the Mariners on Sunday.

Pressly was the beneficiary of Kyle Tucker's walkoff home run in the bottom of the ninth. After a stint on the injured list and shaky start, Pressly is settling in with one run allowed over 5.1 innings, spanning five appearances.

Foster pitched a scoreless eighth inning in Sunday's 7-2 win over the Cardinals.

Foster, who threw 25 pitches as the opener in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, got his first exposure to late-inning work Sunday. With the White Sox leading by five runs, it wasn't high leverage, but it could be seen as manager Rick Renteria's confidence in the 25-year-old right-hander, who has yet to allow a run in 2020.

Lakins (2-1) allowed one unearned run on no hits and two walks while failing to record a strikeout over two-thirds of an inning as he was charged with the loss Sunday against the Nationals.

Although Lakins struggled with command Sunday as only seven of his 18 pitches were strikes, he nearly got out of the eighth inning unscathed. However, an error allowed the go-ahead run to cross the plate and put Lakins in line for his first loss of the season. The right-hander carries a 2.70 ERA and 11:2 K:BB over 10 innings during nine relief appearances this year.

Manager Ron Roenicke said the Red Sox will activate Taylor from the COVID-19 injured list Monday or Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Taylor missed all of summer camp after testing positive for the coronavirus and has spent the past three weeks ramping up at the Red Sox's alternate training site in Pawtucket. With the Red Sox coaching staff apparently satisfied with where Taylor stands from a physical and conditioning standpoint, the 27-year-old will soon be ready to provide the big club with another lefty option out of the bullpen. Taylor notched four holds and posted a 3.04 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 62:16 K:BB in 47.1 innings with Boston in 2019.

Bass was unavailable for Sunday's doubleheader against the Rays due to back tightness, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Bass tossed a scoreless inning with one strikeout in Friday's series opener against the Blue Jays, but he apparently suffered a back issue that prevented him from entering either of the contests in Sunday's twin bill. It's unclear whether the issue will impact his availability going forward. Bass has converted on three of his four save opportunities to begin the season while also posting a 3.38 ERA and 0.75 WHIP over eight innings.