MLB Player News

Morton (shoulder) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Saturday and felt good afterwards, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Morton continues to take small steps forward in terms of his progression after being diagnosed with shoulder inflammation last weekend. The veteran right-hander is expected to play catch Sunday and Monday before another bullpen session Tuesday. As long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks in the process, Morton could be activated as early as Thursday, though a return to the rotation over the weekend in for the Rays' home series versus Toronto is more likely.

Means will return to the Orioles rotation Sunday against the Nationals, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Means was originally placed on the bereavement list on Aug. 5 and was expected to start last Saturday after spending the minimum three days on the list. His return was further delayed, however, after he was placed on the injured list while he underwent intake testing to confirm he didn't contract COVID-19 while away from the team. He appears to have passed all tests and will finally start Sunday in a tough matchup with the Nationals.

Giolito fell to 1-2 on the season after taking the loss in the first half of Saturday's doubleheader against St. Louis, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits over five innings. He struck out five and walked two.

Nearly all of the Cardinals' damage was done in the first inning, a frame in which Giolito allowed seven baserunners without allowing a single extra-base hit. Four singles, a walk and a pair of hit batsmen led to four runs for the visitors. Giolito then settled down to allow just a single unearned run over his next four frames. through five starts, Giolito isn't following up on his breakout 2019 campaign particularly well, struggling to a 4.88 ERA, with his 27.4 percent strikeout rate largely being offset by a 12.8 percent walk rate.

Montas (back) won't start Sunday against the Giants, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Montas was scratched from his scheduled start Friday, but there was hope that he'd be able to make a start Sunday. However, he'll instead try to start sometime during the team's series against the Diamondbacks early in the week. Mike Fiers will start in the series finale against the Giants on Sunday.

Odorizzi allowed two earned runs on three hits and no walks while striking out six across four innings in the first game of the team's doubleheader Saturday against the Royals. He did not factor into the decision.

Odorizzi retired the first 11 batters he faced, six of them on punchouts. However, he was quickly pulled after allowing a single and home run to the first batters he faced in the fifth inning, leaving him short of qualifying for the win. Even so, it was a positive outing for Odorizzi, as he showed improved control in his second outing of the campaign. He'll look to work deeper into the game in his next outing, currently projected to come Thursday against Milwaukee.

Chirinos (triceps) is expected to come off the 10-day injured list and start Sunday against the Blue Jays, Bill Ladson of MLB.com reports.

Chirinos threw a successful bullpen session Thursday, and he'll be able to return to the mound for the series finale against the Blue Jays. His return will be a timely one with Charlie Morton (shoulder) still sidelined. Chirinos made two starts before his injury, posting a 1.04 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 8.2 innings.

Cole (4-0) allowed one run on four hits and no walks while striking out eight over seven innings as he earned the win Friday against the Red Sox.

In his first start since a short outing against the Rays, Cole returned to the win column by stifling Boston's offense. His performance at home against the Red Sox was his most productive since he signed a monster deal with the Yankees during the offseason. In five starts this season, the right-hander carries a 2.76 ERA and 0.85 WHIP over 29.1 innings. He'll look to continue his dominant run at home Wednesday against the Rays.

Montas (back) could start Sunday's game against the Giants, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Although Montas was scratched from his scheduled start Friday due to upper-back tightness, the injury might not be too severe since the team is optimistic that he could start the series finale against San Francisco. Sean Manaea will move up to start Saturday's game in hopes of a potential return for Montas. The right-hander has been dominant to begin the season with a 1.57 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over 23 innings across his first four starts.

Civale (2-2) picked up the win Friday against the Tigers, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out three in six innings.

Civale gave up a leadoff triple to Jeimer Candelario in the second inning and would allow him to score on a sacrifice fly hit by the very next batter. He then gave up a monstrous 426-foot two-run homer to Niko Goodrum the following inning to surrender an early 2-0 Cleveland lead. The 25-year-old eventually settled down before allowing one more run in the sixth. Despite getting the win, Civale's four runs given up and three punchouts were his worst single-game marks so far this season. He has a favorable road matchup against the Pirates on Wednesday and should be in good position to record his fourth quality start in five tries.

Sandoval (0-2) was tagged with the loss Friday against the Dodgers. He allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks while fanning five across six innings.

Sandoval was coming off two decent appearances, but he was unable to tame the Dodgers lineup in this one and, as such, he dropped his second consecutive start. Sandoval has given up seven earned runs in 16 innings across his first three starts, and he will aim to bounce back in his next start, set for Aug. 19 on the road against the Giants.