MLB Player News

Miller will serve as the Giants' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 26-year-old rookie will be making his first big-league start. Miller hasn't recorded more than four outs in any of his 13 relief appearances this season, so he's unlikely to cover more than an inning or two before turning the game over to the bullpen. Right-hander Daulton Jefferies was called up from Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday and is expected to serve as the Giants' primary pitcher out of the bullpen once Miller exits the contest.

The Giants optioned Roupp to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday.

He'll give up his spot on the 26-man active roster for right-hander Daulton Jefferies, who was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move and is expected to serve as the primary pitcher out of the bullpen in Wednesday's game against the Red Sox. Following his call-up from Sacramento last Wednesday, Roupp made two relief appearances for the Giants and gave up three earned runs over 3.1 innings.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said he's not sure whether Kimbrel (back) will be available to pitch Wednesday versus the Yankees, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Hyde said something similar prior to Tuesday's game and Kimbrel did not appear in that contest. It's possible the skipper is just practicing some gamesmanship here so that the Yankees have less information to work with, but either way it doesn't sound like there will be clarification prior to Wednesday's game. If Kimbrel is indeed unavailable again, Yennier Cano and Danny Coulombe are candidates for saves.

Lange earned the save in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Cardinals, recording two strikeouts and a walk over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Lange struck out Willson Contreras for the final out in the eighth inning before closing the door in the ninth, working around a two-out walk to Paul Goldschmidt for his second save this season. Jason Foley was likely unavailable Wednesday after pitching three of the last four days, though Lange has continued to pitch well in a set-up role -- he's held opponents scoreless in his last 7.2 innings, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out nine in that span. The 28-year-old right-hander lowered his ERA to 0.75 with a 1.17 WHIP 16:9 K:BB across 12 innings this season.

The Angels designated Kristofak for assignment Wendesday.

The team needed to clear a spot on its 40-man roster for designated hitter/outfielder Willie Calhoun, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday. Kristofak, 26, made one appearance during his brief stint with the Angels, allowing two unearned runs over two innings Sunday against the Twins.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Borucki (wrist) will be shut down for several weeks after being diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Borucki initially went on the injured list in early April with what was called left triceps inflammation at the time. He had a setback last month when he tried to throw and now has a new diagnosis. With an open-ended timetable, Borucki is a candidate to move to the 60-day injured list when/if the Pirates need to open up a spot on the 40-man roster.

Santos (lat) recently upped his throwing distance to 120 feet, MLB.com reports.

A recent shift to the 60-day IL didn't impact Santos' return timeline, as he was never expected to be able to make his season debut before late May. That timeframe appears to still remain realistic, and he's slated to continue throwing at the 120-foot distance throughout this week before upping his intensity again.

Alexander (ribs) threw live batting practice to Miguel Andujar (knee) on Tuesday and is now set to join Single-A Stockton to begin a rehab assignment Friday, MLB.com reports.

Alexander cleared his final hurdle to a return to the mound with Tuesday's activity, and when he does debut for the Ports, it will be his first game action since a March 6 Cactus League appearance against the Angels. Given the amount of time he's been sidelined, Alexander figures to need a fairly lengthy rehab assignment, even though he'll likely be utilized for no more than two innings per appearance once he's with the big-league club.

Spence (3-1) got the win against the Pirates on Tuesday, firing three scoreless, one-hit innings during which he recorded two strikeouts.

Spence got the fifth-inning call after starter Alex Wood labored to the tune of 93 pitches over four frames. As has become increasingly customary, Spence delivered an impressive multi-inning effort, his third three-inning scoreless outing over his last four appearances. Spence now has victories in back-to-back appearances as well and sports a 2.84 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB across his eight trips to the mound.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Kelly tweaked his right groin while fielding a grounder in Tuesday's extra-inning loss to Arizona, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Kelly was checked on by a trainer after fielding a grounder and throwing to first base in the seventh inning, but he was able to stay in the game and finish the frame, picking up his seventh hold of the season in the process. Roberts said after the loss that the veteran reliever tweaked his right groin on the play and indicated that the team would assess him Wednesday. Kelly has pitched an inning in three of the past four days, and he probably won't be available for Wednesday's contest regardless of how he's feeling, per Ardaya.