MLB Player News

The Orioles placed Means (arm) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde already ruled Means out for the team's season-opening series this weekend in Boston, though the skipper was optimistic the southpaw would be able to pitch at some point in next week's four-game series in the Miami. The move to the IL now takes that off the table, as Means' stint won't be backdated to when he first suffered the injury in summer camp, per Joe Trezza of MLB.com. As a result, Means will miss at least two turns through the rotation, and he'll likely need to complete a bullpen session and/or a live batting practice session without discomfort before his activation is considered.

Manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday that Sandoval (illness) has a "good shot" of opening the season in the six-man rotation, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander started Wednesday's exhibition game against the Friars and got tagged for five runs on six hits over three frames, but Maddon has apparently liked what he's seen in summer training. Sandoval was late to camp after testing positive for COVID-19, but the delayed start doesn't appear to have significantly impacted his path to a rotation spot. The 23-year-old made his big-league debut in 2019 and had a 5.03 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 10 outings.

Odorizzi (back) will begin the season on the 10-day injured list, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

The 30-year-old was lifted from his scheduled start in Sunday's intrasquad game due to mild back soreness, and he'll end up missing at least the first turn through the rotation. Odorizzi isn't expected to require a significant stay on the injured list and could join the rotation during the latter half of next week. The Twins have a scheduled off day Monday, so the team wouldn't require an additional starter if he can return next week.

Turnbull will start Sunday's series finale against the Reds.

Matthew Boyd and Ivan Nova will take the mound for the first two games of the season, while Turnbull opens the season as the No. 3 starter. The 27-year-old completed his first full season in the majors last season and had a 4.61 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 146:59 K:BB over 148.1 innings.

Manager Terry Francona said Tuesday that Civale will open the season as Cleveland's No. 4 starter, with the right-hander's first turn through the rotation coming July 27 at home versus the White Sox, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Civale was optioned to Triple-A Columbus in late March, but that transaction was likely only executed for roster-management purposes and has since been reversed following MLB's four-plus-month shutdown. The 25-year-old unsurprisingly prevailed in his battle with Zach Plesac and Adam Plutko for one of the two remaining openings in the Cleveland rotation, punctuating his summer camp Wednesday by striking out six Pirates in five innings of two-run ball. Despite his modest profile as a prospect entering 2019, Civale proceeded to impress at two levels and continued to thrive upon getting the call to the majors. In his 10 starts, Civale submitted a 2.34 ERA and 1.04 WHIP while allowing only four home runs in 57.2 innings.

Teheran (illness) completed a bullpen session Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The 29-year-old was cleared to join team workouts over the weekend after previously missing game due to COVID-19, so he still has some work to do before reaching game readiness. Teheran figures to remain on the COVID-19 injured list to start the season, and he is scheduled to throw two innings during his next bullpen session. Given the lack of buildup, he'll likely won't enter the rotation before the first week of August.

Valdez is scheduled to start Tuesday's series opener against the Dodgers, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The 26-year-old and Brandon Bielak were competing for the final rotation spot during summer camp, but Valdez was able to secure the job. Valdez had a 5.86 ERA and 1.67 WHIP over 70.2 innings at the major-league level last season, and he may not have a long leash if he struggles again during the shortened season. Jose Urquidy (undisclosed) and Austin Pruitt (elbow) aren't available to start the season but figure to be options for the rotation eventually, and Bielak could also remain a factor.

Anderson (oblique) completed a successful bullpen session Wednesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It's the first time the 32-year-old has thrown off a mound since suffering the oblique injury 10 days ago, so it's a significant step in his recovery. Anderson is beginning the season on the injured list, but manager Charlie Montoyo doesn't expect him to be sidelined for long. Anthony Kay, Ryan Borucki and Nate Pearson are in the mix to round out the starting rotation while Anderson remains on the shelf.

Manager Aaron Boone said Montgomery will start the Yankees' sixth game of the season July 29 in Philadelphia, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Montgomery was optioned earlier in the week to give the Yankees additional roster flexibility to start the season, but he's expected to rejoin the team ahead of his scheduled start against the Phillies. The southpaw was limited to just two appearances in 2019 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he looked sharp during camp and isn't expected to face any restrictions during the abbreviated 2020 campaign.

Rodriguez (illness) could build up to a full workload during major-league games, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Rodriguez was unable to report to camp until Saturday after battling COVID-19. He was reportedly hit fairly hard by the virus, putting him understandably well behind his teammates in his preparation for the upcoming season. He's still on the COVID-19 injured list even though he's been cleared to work out, but while he may remain there at the start of the regular season, the Red Sox appear willing to bring him back for some short starts before he's fully built up his pitch count.