MLB Player News

Sandoval (1-5) took the loss Wednesday against Philadelphia, allowing two runs on four hits with two walks over five innings. He struck out 10.

Despite tying for the second most strikeouts of his career and tying his season-best hits allowed total, Sandoval was stuck with his third consecutive loss as the Angels could only muster one run via a solo homer by Ehire Adrianza. He's now in a four-way tie for the most losses in baseball and has yet to complete six innings in a start this year. The southpaw is tentatively scheduled for a start against the Pirates in Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

Flexen did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Twins, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

While the White Sox failed to hang on to a one-run lead after Flexen departed, it was another strong start from the right-hander -- he's now allowed just two runs on six hits in his last two outings (10 innings). Overall, Flexen is 1-3 with a 4.85 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 17:12 K:BB across 29.2 innings in a swing role with Chicago. With Jonathan Cannon back in Triple-A, it seems likely that Flexen will remain in the rotation for now. He's currently slated to face the Rays on the road next week.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol hinted Wednesday that Clevinger could be added to the 26-man active roster next week to make his next start with the big club, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports. "We're expecting him to join us here pretty soon. He felt good [Tuesday]," Grifol said of Clevinger. "The news from our trainers was he's excited about how he felt, he's excited about how he threw the ball. We'll assess it, but I would expect him here shortly."

Because he didn't go through a proper spring training after remaining unsigned all offseason until inking a one-year deal with the White Sox until April 2, Clevinger has spent the first month of the regular season getting ramped up. He made the second of two starts at Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday, covering four innings (71 pitches) and striking out four while allowing two earned runs on six hits and one walk. The White Sox have already announced their starting rotation through Sunday's game in St. Louis, but Clevinger should be a strong candidate to make his 2024 big-league debut early next week at Tampa Bay, if the organization's brain trust determines he doesn't need another tune-up start in the minors.

Ober (3-1) earned the win Wednesday over the White Sox, allowing four runs on six hits while striking out three over six innings.

After allowing two runs in the opening frame, Ober settled in to hold Chicago to just two more runs over his final five innings en route to a third consecutive winning decision. The four runs were the most Ober's allowed since he was tagged for eight runs in his first start of the year against Kansas City -- he'd held opponents to two runs or fewer in each of his subsequent four outings. Overall, the 28-year-old right-hander sports a 4.55 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP and 28:7 K:BB through 31.2 innings this season. Ober's currently slated for a home matchup with the Mariners in his next turn.

Urquidy (forearm) threw live batting practice before Wednesday's game against Cleveland, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Urquidy was able to throw 30 pitches without any problems during Wednesday's session. The 29-year-old righty will likely throw one more round of BP before embarking on a rehab assignment in the minors, though it's unclear when that might happen.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Cole had a "heavy day" of throwing off flat ground Tuesday, but the skipper is unsure when the right-hander will be ready to throw a bullpen session, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Cole has been playing catch multiple times per week for about two weeks while steadily increasing his throwing distance. He hasn't hit any reported snags in his recovery since resuming his throwing program, but it's not yet clear when Cole will be able to take the next meaningful step forward in his recovery from his right elbow injury by getting back on the mound. Boone also declined to speculate if a return before the All-Star break is realistic for Cole, who is eligible to be activated May 27 after opening the season on the 60-day injured list.

Bello (lat) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

It's his first time throwing off a mound since he was shut down last week with right lat tightness. Bello could throw a two-inning simulated game next, with a rehab outing potentially being on the docket for next Tuesday. If Bello needs just one rehab start, he could be in line to return from the 15-day injured list as soon as May 12.

Eflin (1-4) took the loss Wednesday against the Brewers, allowing three runs on six hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out six.

Eflin allowed a two-run double to William Contreras in the third inning before allowing a solo homer to Willy Adames in the sixth. The 30-year-old Eflin has now been stuck with a loss in consecutive starts -- he's allowed seven earned runs over 11.2 innings in that span. Eflin's ERA is now up to 4.17 with a 1.17 WHIP and 36:4 K:BB in seven starts this year. He'll look to get back on track in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week against the White Sox.

Maeda (1-1) earned the win Wednesday against St. Louis, allowing one run on four hits over six innings. He struck out five.

A Willson Contreras solo home run in the fourth inning was the lone mark against Maeda on Tuesday as the veteran right-hander cruised to his first win with the Tigers. After a brutal start to the year, Maeda's now allowed just one run on seven hits and no walks in his last two outings (11 innings). He's lowered his ERA to 5.02 with a 1.22 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB across six starts this season. Maeda will look to keep his momentum going in his next outing, currently lined up for early next week in Cleveland.

The Orioles reinstated Means (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Though manager Brandon Hyde had already noted Monday that Means was on track to rejoin the rotation for this weekend's series in Cincinnati, the Orioles activated him early since the southpaw's 30-day minor-league rehab window officially came to an end. The Orioles placed Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder) on the 15-day IL in a corresponding move, so Means' arrival means that the team should have room in the rotation for at least one of Albert Suarez and Cole Irvin, or even both pitchers if Hyde elects to go with a six-man rotation. Means struggled mightily through the first five starts of his rehab stint with Triple-A Norfolk (13.89 ERA, 2.31 WHIP in 11.2 innings), but he closed his minor-league assignment in dominant fashion Sunday, striking out eight over seven shutout innings and allowing just one hit and one walk. He tossed 95 pitches (61 strikes) in the outing and is unlikely to face any major restrictions when he makes his 2024 Orioles debut, likely Friday or Saturday.