MLB Player News

Watkins had X-rays come back negative and was diagnosed with a bruised right forearm after exiting Sunday's start against the Rays, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Sun reports.

The right-hander was struck in the right forearm by a 105.9 mile-per-hour comebacker during the first inning Sunday, and he left the contest after facing only three batters. Watkins allowed three earned runs on three hits without recording an out, and he should be considered day-to-day as he continues to be evaluated.

Irvin (shoulder) was activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start against the Angels on Sunday, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The left-hander was already confirmed as the starter for Sunday's series finale, but he's now officially back on the active roster. Irvin has been sidelined the past three weeks by shoulder tendinitis, but he's ready to rejoin the rotation after a one-game rehab assignment with Single-A Stockton. The 28-year-old covered five innings during the rehab outing, so any workload limitations should be relatively minor.

Singer was recalled from Triple-A Omaha and will start Sunday's game versus the Twins.

The 25-year-old was demoted after delivering seven scoreless innings for the Royals during Tuesday's doubleheader, but he's now back with the big-league club and will retain his spot in the rotation. Carlos Hernandez was sent down to Omaha on Friday, so Singer should have a secure starting spot for the near future.

The Tigers placed Rodriguez on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a left rib cage sprain.

Shortly after Rodriguez was pulled from his start with left side discomfort in Wednesday's loss to the Rays, manager A.J. Hinch noted that the lefty would require a trip to the IL. The Tigers delayed making the move while awaiting the results of his MRI, which evidently revealed no oblique strain but instead an injury to his rib cage. Detroit has yet to reveal a timeline for Rodriguez's return as a result of the diagnosis, but he won't be eligible to come off the IL until early June regardless.

Cueto is scheduled to start the first game of Sunday's doubleheader with the Yankees in New York.

The White Sox initially planned to have Cueto make his second start with the team Saturday, but he ended up being pushed back a day in the schedule as a result of Friday's postponement. Cueto will start the first game of the twin bill Sunday, while Michael Kopech takes the hill in Game 2 for the Pale Hose.

Whitlock didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Mariners, coughing up five runs on 10 hits over three innings. He struck out three.

Seattle jumped on the right-hander for four runs in the top of the first inning, and Whitlock eventually needed 71 pitches (48 strikes) to record nine outs before getting the hook. The 25-year-old has yet to complete more than five innings in a start, and he's managed to get that far only twice in six starts since moving into the rotation. Whitlock has a 3.58 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 40:10 K:BB through 32.2 innings on the season, but his 4.70 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in the rotation suggest another role change could be on the horizon.

Flexen didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-5 loss to the Red Sox, surrendering five runs on eight hits and three walks over four-plus innings. He struck out two.

The right-hander got staked to a 4-0 lead before he even set foot on the mound and took a 5-1 lead into the fifth inning, but Flexen allowed four straight hits to begin the bottom of that frame before getting the hook, including two doubles and a Rafael Devers homer, and all four came around to score. This was Flexen's shortest start yet this season, but he's failed to complete six innings in four straight starts. He'll carry a ragged 4.98 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 31:15 K:BB through 43.1 innings into his next outing.

Bradish (1-3) took the loss against Tampa Bay on Saturday, pitching 5.1 innings and allowing five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five.

Bradish was victimized by two Randy Arozarena long balls in the contest that accounted for three of the runs against him. The rookie has served up at least one homer in each of his five career starts thus far, though this marked the first time he has allowed more than four runs. Bradish has shown plenty of promise in his first taste of the majors, but his 5.74 ERA suggests that he still has plenty of room for growth. He's tentatively slated to make his next start in Boston next weekend.

Springs (2-1) tossed 5.2 scoreless innings against Baltimore on Saturday, allowing one hit and four walks while striking out seven to earn the win.

Springs tossed a season-high 5.2 frames in the victory, and he completed his second straight scoreless outing despite walking more batters in the contest (four) than he had across his first 11 appearances combined. The southpaw's seven strikeouts were also his most of the campaign thus far, and he got there on the strength of 16 swinging strikes. Springs appears to be building up his pitch count now that he is part of the rotation -- Saturday was the first time he has reached 80 pitches this season. He'll face a tough challenge when he takes on the Yankees at home in his next start.

Lorenzen (5-2) earned the win during Saturday's 5-3 victory over Oakland, allowing three hits and two walks with five strikeouts in six scoreless innings.

Lorenzen shut down Oakland's offense for the second straight game, permitting just one runner past second base, and he required only 84 pitches to navigate the frames. The 30-year-old has now allowed one run or fewer in four of his seven starts and has lowered his ERA to 3.05. He's scheduled to take the mound again next weekend against Toronto.