MLB Player News

Means (arm) is expected to be activated off the injured list to start Thursday against the Yankees, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

The Orioles were originally set to be playing the Marlins, but a COVID-19 outbreak among the latter's players and staff led to the change of plans. Baltimore is now hosting the Yankees for a two-game series. Means is first eligible to come off the IL on Thursday, so it appears he won't be missing any more time than the minimum. The 27-year-old seems likely to face some workload restrictions his first time out after dealing with the arm fatigue, though the team hasn't outlined any specific limitations.

Cease (0-1) took the loss against Cleveland in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader after allowing four runs on seven hits and zero walks while recording one strikeout over 2.1 innings.

The 24-year-old's first start of 2020 was one to forget, as he struggled with the strike zone and threw only 34 of his 64 pitches for strikes while also surrendering two home runs. Cease made his big-league debut last year and had 14 starts for the White Sox with a 5.79 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 81:35 K:BB over 73 innings, and his second season is off to a rocky start. Depending how Chicago orders its rotation coming out of the doubleheader, the right-hander's next outing could be Sunday in Kansas City or in the following days at Milwaukee.

Civale (1-0) earned the win in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader versus the White Sox after allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk while recording nine strikeouts over six innings.

The 25-year-old wasn't impacted by having his start postponed one day due to rain, as he delivered a first-pitch strike to 18 of the 26 batters he faced and generated 16 swinging strikes. Civale finished the outing at 100 pitches, so it's clear he isn't beginning the season with workload limitations. The right-hander will look to build on his strong start to the season Sunday at Minnesota.

Javier will start Wednesday's game against the Dodgers unless he's needed in relief Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros have a hole in their rotation following Justin Verlander's forearm strain, as they're also without Jose Urquidy (undisclosed) and Austin Pruitt (elbow). Javier is expected to get the first crack at the job, though that can't be confirmed until after Tuesday's contest. Javier has thrown just 12 innings above the Double-A level, including an inning of relief this season, though his 1.74 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 37.3 percent strikeout rate in 113.2 innings split across the three highest levels of the minors last season are all encouraging numbers. He did walk 12.9 percent of opposing batters, though, so he's hardly a finished product.

Kluber (shoulder) was placed on the 45-day injured list Tuesday.

The move isn't much of a surprise, as Kluber will be shut down for at least four weeks after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 tear of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder Monday. If he's able to return at all this season, it will likely be very late in the year and in a relief role.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Cole will make his next start Wednesday against the Orioles, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Cole was initially lined up for a two-start week that included a turn against the Phillies on Tuesday, but both of the Yankees' games in Philadelphia ended up being postponed due to coronavirus-related concerns. With MLB having since altered the Yankees' schedule and having booked matchups versus Baltimore at Camden Yards on Wednesday and Thursday, Boone indicated that Cole would get the ball for the first contest, while J.A. Happ likely gets the nod in the second game. Cole turned in an impressive debut July 23 in the season-opening win over the Nationals, striking out five over five frames while giving up one run (a solo homer to Adam Eaton).

Montgomery will start one of the Yankees' weekend games against the Red Sox, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Montgomery had been set to start Wednesday against the Phillies, but the Yankees' schedule has been shuffled around as the league waits to determine whether or not the Phillies have been caught up in the Marlins' COVID-19 outbreak after the two teams played each other in the season's opening series. Montgomery and Masahiro Tanaka (concussion) will start Saturday and Sunday, though the order of their two starts has yet to be determined.

Chirinos will start Tuesday against the Braves but won't be asked to pitch deep into the game, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Manager Kevin Cash said that expectations for the length of Chirinos' start were similar to those for Tyler Glasnow ahead of his start Monday, in which he threw 72 pitches over four innings. Chirinos threw 62 pitches in a simulated game Thursday after missing most of camp due to a positive COVID-19 test, so he should have no problem throwing roughly 75 pitches in this outing.

Springs allowed five runs on four hits and one walk while striking out two over 1.1 innings in Monday's 7-4 loss to the Mets.

Springs entered as the bulk-innings pitcher but gave up bulk runs instead. He served up a two-run homer that left Pete Alonso's bat at 116.3 mph in the third inning then a three-run shot to Dominic Smith an inning later. Boston's plan to get by with openers and bulk-inning pitchers for the fourth and fifth slots in the rotation didn't begin well. Springs and Josh Osich put the Red Sox in an early 7-0 hole from which they could not dig out.

Bielak (1-0) pitched 3.1 innings Monday, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out four to earn the win versus the Mariners.

Bielak relieved starter Josh James to begin the fourth inning. It was a strong relief outing for the 24-year-old Bielak, who had been called up to the Astros earlier Monday. He figures to remain in a long relief role during 2020, but could be a candidate for a spot start if necessary.