MLB Player News

Sandoval (2-1) earned the win over Oakland on Wednesday, pitching seven innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits while striking out five batters.

Sandoval allowed a run in each of the first, third and fifth frames, but the Angels' offense exploded for nine runs while he was in the contest to take most of the stress off him. The southpaw struck out a modest five batters but racked up an impressive 18 swings-and-misses while refusing to issue any walks. Sandoval's outing was a nice bounce-back from his previous start, when he gave up a season-worst five runs over four frames against the Yankees.

Medina will be optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Medina struggled mightily in his MLB debut against the Angels on Wednesday, allowing seven earned runs over five innings en route to an 11-3 loss. The 23-year-old prospect has made just three starts in Triple-A and will likely need to get more work in the minors before he can return to the major-league squad.

Gilbert did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing four runs on seven hits and one walk over five innings against Philadelphia. He struck out six.

The Phillies hit Gilbert early, as Nick Castellanos swatted a two-run homer in the first before a Kyle Schwarber single plated Bryson Stott in the third. Wednesday's start marked Gilbert's second straight appearance allowing four runs, while his seven hits given up set a season high. The silver lining has been Gilbert's reliable strikeout production, as the 25-year-old has recorded at least six strikeouts in all of his appearances so far.

Blackburn's (finger) rehab start scheduled for Sunday was pushed back after he experienced more discomfort with his blister, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

This is now the second time Blackburn's finger blister has prevented him from making his next rehab start. He worked his way up to 62 pitches in his most recent start last Sunday, but now that he's experienced multiple setbacks, Blackburn may still be a few weeks away from his season debut.

High-A Tri-City placed Costeiu (elbow) on its full-season injured list April 6.

Costeiu was shut down last July with a right elbow injury, and though the Angels haven't revealed whether he required Tommy John surgery or another kind of procedure, his placement on the full-season IL would seem to suggest that's a strong likelihood. Before sustaining the injury last summer, Costeiu turned in a 3.42 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 81:19 K:BB across 68.1 innings.

The Angels promoted Dana on Tuesday from Single-A Inland Empire to High-A Tri-City.

Dana will get a tougher test after he breezed through his first three starts of the season in the hitter-friendly California League. The 19-year-old righty submitted a 1.20 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB over 15 innings with Inland Empire.

Kopech (0-3) took the loss Wednesday, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks over five innings against the Blue Jays. He struck out four.

It was another disappointing outing for Kopech, who allowed four runs while matching a season low with four strikeouts. In five starts this year, Kopech has made it through six innings once. His ERA rises to an unsightly 7.01 ERA with a 1.71 WHIP and 27:16 K:BB. He'll look to get on track in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week against the Twins.

Kikuchi (4-0) earned the win Wednesday, allowing four hits and a walk over 5.2 scoreless innings against the White Sox. He struck out eight.

Kikuchi was sharp again Wednesday, punching out eight White Sox over 5.2 scoreless innings. He's allowed just two runs over his last three starts (17.2 innings), logging 20 strikeouts in that span. Kikuchi lowered his ERA to 3.00 with a 1.11 WHIP and an impressive 28:6 K:BB. He'll look to stay undefeated in his next outing, tentatively scheduled for next week against the Red Sox.

Lorenzen (0-1) took the loss Wednesday, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings during a 6-2 loss to the Brewers. He struck out five.

Lorenzen struggled to find his command early, as he hit Christian Yelich, walked Jesse Winker and fell behind 3-0 to Rowdy Tellez in the first inning. After the right-hander worked his way back into the count, Tellez opened the scoring with an RBI double, and Brian Anderson followed with a two-run single. After appearing to settle down, Lorenzen served up a two-run blast to Victor Caratini in the third but was able to get out of the inning and posted two scoreless frames before getting pulled. It's been mixed results for Lorenzen since making his delayed season debut, as he's allowed 11 runs over two starts (nine innings) but tossed five shutout frames in his other outing. He'll look to build some momentum in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for Detroit's upcoming three-game set versus the Mets.

Houck (3-1) took the loss Wednesday, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings against the Orioles. He struck out two.

Houck was able to settle down initially after allowing a run in the first inning. However, the Orioles would string together four hits to score three runs in the fifth, handing Houck his first loss of the season. The 26-year-old right-hander has a 4.50 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 24:10 K:BB in five starts this season. He could be in store for a move to the bullpen with James Paxton's (hamstring) return looming.