MLB Player News

McKenzie (3-3) picked up the win Monday after he tossed seven innings, surrendering one run on three hits and a walk while striking out six versus the Astros.

McKenzie dominated in this one, firing six scoreless innings before Alex Bregman took him deep for a solo shot in the seventh frame, providing the only blemish on his line. It was the second straight outing that the right-hander pitched seven innings and his fourth consecutive quality start. The streak of dominant outings has lowered his ERA from 3.71 to 2.70 while his WHIP has shrunk to an impressive 0.90 over 43.1 innings through eight starts in 2022. McKenzie will look to continue his hot streak in his next start, which tentatively lines up for this weekend against the Tigers.

Waldichuk pitched 5.1 innings for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks while striking out nine batters in a no-decision.

Waldichuk was promoted to Triple-A last week after posting a 1.26 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 46:10 K:BB over 28.2 innings with Double-A Somerset. The left-hander continued his dominance in his first Triple-A outing Sunday, and he has now struck out 55 batters over 34 innings across two minor-league levels this season. Waldichuk's emergence could lead to his first big-league call-up at some point this season.

Montas (hand) threw a bullpen session Monday and is on track to make his next start Thursday against the Rangers, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Montas was forced to leave Saturday's outing after being clipped in the hand by a line drive. However, X-rays revealed no structural damage, and his ability to throw Monday means he will likely stay in line for his regularly scheduled start. Through 50.2 innings this season, Montas has a 3.55 ERA with a 1.01 WHIP and a 55:13 K:BB.

Rodriguez underwent tests on his ribs Monday which didn't reveal any stress reaction, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The tests seemingly confirm that Rodriguez's diagnosis will be limited to a sprained left rib cage. He'll avoid throwing this week but is expected to resume next week. Given that he'll still need some time to build his arm back up, it seems unlikely that a minimum-length stay on the injured list is in play, though the Tigers have yet to clarify his timeline.

Skubal (shin) completed his between-starts bullpen session Monday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Assuming Skubal's left shin isn't aching too much following the side session, he looks like he'll be good to go with few restrictions (if any) when his next turn in the rotation comes up Thursday at home versus the Guardians. Skubal's previous start over the weekend against the Guardians was cut short after he took a comebacker off the shin.

Suarez was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday.

Suarez was called up by the Angels last week, and he tossed two-thirds of a scoreless inning against the Rangers on Wednesday. After making just one relief appearance during his stint in the majors, the southpaw will head back to Salt Lake to make room for Archie Bradley, who was reinstated from the injured list Monday.

Sears will likely be called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start Wednesday's game against the Orioles, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Sears made two relief appearances for the Yankees early in the season and tossed two scoreless innings before being sent down in mid-April. However, he's worked mainly as a starter at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and has posted a 1.25 ERA and 0.61 WHIP in 21.2 innings over six appearances (four starts). The Yankees need a spot starter after Sunday's doubleheader against the White Sox, so Sears will likely step in to make his first major-league start during Wednesday's home matchup.

The Orioles placed Watkins on the 15-day injured list Monday.

Though Watkins avoided any structural damage to his right forearm and escaped with a bruise after he was struck by a line drive three batters into his start in Sunday's 7-6 win over the Rays, the 29-year-old is still experiencing enough discomfort a day later to take him out of the mix for his next turn through the rotation. Unless the Orioles are willing to advance top prospect Grayson Rodriguez to the big leagues, Keegan Akin or Mike Baumann could be the top candidates to enter the rotation in place of Watkins when a fifth starter is next needed during Saturday's doubleheader in Boston.

Kremer (oblique) is scheduled to make his second rehab appearance Tuesday with Triple-A Norfolk, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Kremer is presumably looking to work deeper into Tuesday's outing than he did in his initial rehab appearance with Double-A Bowie on May 18, when he struck out five over two scoreless innings (25 pitches). The 26-year-old right-hander had been in line for a spot in the Orioles' Opening Day rotation until a left oblique strain suffered during a bullpen session prior to his first start resulted in him moving to the IL. Kremer may not be guaranteed a spot in Baltimore's rotation once he's fully ramped up.

Crawford hit a batter and struck out two over four scoreless innings in his first start at Triple-A Worcester last Thursday.

Crawford is a starter by trade, but he won a spot as a reliever on Boston's expanded April roster. There were rough outings in the majors, which can be partially traced to working sporadically out of the bullpen, a role in which the right-hander is not accustomed. He was scheduled to throw only three innings Thursday, but Crawford was so efficient he went back out for another frame.