MLB Player News

Povich (2-5) earned the win Sunday over the Angels, allowing three hits and a walk over 3.2 scoreless innings. He struck out four.

After Scott Blewett gave up two runs in the first 2.2 innings, Povich settled things down in his first appearance out of the bullpen this season en route to his first win since April 24. It was an encouraging effort from the left-hander, after he'd given up 12 runs over 14.2 innings in his previous three starts. Overall, Povich sports a 5.15 ERA with a 1.50 WHIP and 68:23 K:BB across 64.2 innings this season. It seems likely that Povich will work behind an opener again in his next appearance, tentatively lined up for next week against the Yankees, following the positive result Sunday.

Kikuchi (2-6) took the loss Sunday against the Orioles, allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out 10.

The five runs charged to Kikuchi mark a season high, though he's still held opponents to three earned runs or fewer in each of his last nine outings -- the left-hander came into Sunday with a 1.97 ERA over his previous eight starts (45.2 innings). Overall, Kikuchi's ERA sits at 3.05 with a 1.48 WHIP and 78:43 K:BB across 15 starts (82.2 innings) this season. He's tentatively lined up to face the Astros at home in his next outing.

President of baseball operations Chris Young said Eovaldi (elbow) is "trending in the right direction" after throwing a bullpen session Saturday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The right-hander is working his way back from triceps soreness, and the next step in his rehab program will likely be facing hitters in live batting practice. Assuming Eovaldi is able to complete a live BP without issue, he'll then be evaluated to determine whether he needs another throwing session and/or a brief rehab assignment before being activated from the 15-day injured list. The Rangers are low on rotation depth after Tyler Mahle (shoulder) was placed on the IL on Sunday, so the team could be inclined to activate Eovaldi even if he's not fully stretched back out for a typical starter's workload.

Manager Dan Wilson said Gilbert (elbow) will come off the 15-day injured list to start Monday's game against the Red Sox, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has been sidelined since late April due to a flexor strain, but he's ready to rejoin Seattle's rotation after a three-start rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma. Gilbert threw 72 pitches across five scoreless innings during his final rehab outing Tuesday, so he may face some minor workload limitations for his first start or two back with the Mariners.

Culpepper (undisclosed) was activated off Double-A Wichita's 60-day injured list Saturday and threw three scoreless innings while allowing three hits and no walks and striking out four batters.

Culpepper began the season on the shelf after he had difficulty ramping up this spring, but no specific injury was cited by the Twins. The 23-year-old right-hander had an outstanding season at High-A Cedar Rapids in 2024 with a 2.89 ERA and 28.9 percent strikeout rate, but he struggled to a 4.71 ERA at Double-A after being promoted.

The Rangers recalled Rocker from Triple-A Round Rock in advance of his start Sunday against the White Sox.

The right-hander will step into Texas' rotation Sunday with Tyler Mahle (shoulder) landing on the injured list in a corresponding transaction. Rocker has yet to find his footing through six major-league starts this season with an 8.87 ERA, 1.84 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB over 23.1 innings, but he'll have a favorable matchup Sunday to potentially get on track.

The Rangers placed Mahle on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to right shoulder soreness, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

In a corresponding move, Texas called up Kumar Rocker from Triple-A Round Rock to join the rotation Sunday in Mahle's stead. Mahle went 6-3 and produced a 2.34 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 56:27 K:BB in 77 innings over his first 14 starts of the season, but he experienced shoulder fatigue coming out of his most recent outing Tuesday, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. The Rangers were initially hoping he would be ready to pitch following an extra day or two of rest, but after the team went with a bullpen day Friday and then needed to use five relievers in Saturday's 11-inning win, the decision was made to place Mahle on the IL instead of straining the staff further. The transaction is retroactive to Thursday, so he'll be eligible to return as soon as soon as June 27. Mahle contended with shoulder tightness in late August of last season and missed the final month of the 2024 campaign, and the 30-year-old has contended with arm issues at various points during his career.

Povich is expected to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Scott Blewett in Sunday's game against the Angels, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Povich was initially penciled in to start Sunday, but he's given up 12 runs in his past three starts, and the Orioles will instead utilize an opener with the hope that it yields better results. Baltimore hasn't officially announced their pitching plans for Sunday after Blewett exits the game, but Povich is still a strong bet to pitch.

The Tigers recalled Owens from Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander was up with the Tigers briefly in early May and will rejoin the big club Sunday after John Brebbia was designated for assignment. Owens made two scoreless appearances during his previous stint with Detroit but has a 5.74 ERA, 1.79 WHIP and 23:17 K:BB across 26.2 innings with Toledo this season.

Gipson-Long is expected to work in relief behind opening pitcher Tyler Holton against the Reds on Sunday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Gipson-Long worked behind an opener in his previous outing Tuesday and gave up one run across 4.2 frames in a no-decision against the Orioles. The right-hander has a 4.32 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB through his first two appearances of 2025 after being sidelined for the first two months of the season while recovering from elbow and hip surgeries.