MLB Player News

Lorenzen (3-3) yielded a run on four hits and two walks over six innings Tuesday, striking out four and picking up a win against the Rays.

Lorenzen faced little resistance from the Rays' lineup aside from Junior Caminero, who hit a double and a solo homer against him. It was Lorenzen's third quality start of the year, all of which have resulted in wins. He was efficient Tuesday, with 60 of his 88 pitches being thrown for strikes. Lorenzen dropped his season ERA to 3.48 with a 28:13 K:BB through 33.2 frames. He's in line for a home matchup against the White Sox next week.

Manager Joe Espada said McCullers (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday before the Astros determine whether he's ready to be reinstated from the injured list, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has a 2.84 ERA and 16:6 K:BB across four rehab outings, and if all goes well Wednesday, he could make his next start in the majors. McCullers hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2022 while recovering from arm issues, so it's a good idea to keep expectations in check despite his track record as a top-level starter prior to the injuries.

Blubaugh is with the Astros as a member of the taxi squad and is a candidate to start Wednesday against the Tigers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Hayden Wesneski is being pushed back in the rotation a couple days to provide him some extra rest, so Houston is in need of a spot starter. However, Blubaugh isn't guaranteed to start since the Astros have a team day off Thursday, so a bullpen day could be employed if the unit is in good shape after Tuesday's contest. The right-hander has a 3.86 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 28:10 K:BB across 21 innings so far this season with Triple-A Sugar Land.

Manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Wesneski is healthy but won't make his scheduled turn through the rotation Wednesday against the Tigers in order to get him some extra rest, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander labored in his last start Friday versus the Royals, as he issued three walks after handing out just one in his first four starts of the year. Wesneski has worked as a swingman in the majors prior to this year with 22 starts in 68 appearances, so it's not a huge surprise he'll require some extra rest here and there. The Astros haven't announced who will start instead Wednesday, but A.J. Blubaugh is a likely candidate and is on the taxi squad, per Rome. Wesneski now appears poised to take the mound Friday on the road versus the White Sox.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Cameron will be called up from Triple-A Omaha to start Wednesday against the Rays, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Cameron will be making his MLB debut when he starts in place of Cole Ragans, who is nursing a groin strain and will be forced to miss at least one turn through the rotation. Ragans is said to have made improvement since he suffered the injury last week and is expected to avoid a stint on the IL for the time being, so Cameron could be in line for just one start before returning to the minors. A 25-year-old lefty, Cameron has turned in a 3.22 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB in 22.1 innings through his five starts with Omaha this season.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Ragans (groin) will not make his next scheduled start Wednesday at Tampa Bay, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The Royals will call up lefty Noah Cameron from Triple-A Omaha to start Wednesday in place of Ragans. After being pulled from his start last Thursday against the Rockies after three innings, Ragans was diagnosed Friday with a mild left groin strain. Per Rogers, Ragans' groin strain has improved each day since he suffered the injury, so for now, he's expected to avoid the injured list. He could be ready to make his next start as soon as this weekend in Baltimore or early next week versus the White Sox in Kansas City.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday that McClanahan (triceps) has begun throwing-like activities but is not playing regular catch yet, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

It continues to be a "slow and steady" build-up for McClanahan, per Cash, as the left-hander works his way back from a nerve issue in his left triceps. He's already on the 60-day injured list, and there remains no timetable for when the southpaw will be ready for his season debut.

The Guardians transferred Bieber (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander continues to rehab from Tommy John surgery and isn't expected to be fully ramped up until the middle of summer, so the IL move won't affect his return timeline. Bieber is expected to begin pitching in simulated games at the Guardians' spring training complex at some point in May, after which a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment is likely to follow.

The Guardians selected Velasquez's contract from Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Velasquez is being promoted even after he posted a 6.00 ERA and 11:16 K:BB over 15 innings covering four starts with Columbus. He appears likely to be used only in mop-up duty.

The Orioles recalled Gibson from High-A Aberdeen on Tuesday.

Gibson is set to make his season debut for the Orioles on Tuesday against the Yankees. The veteran right-hander had been getting ramped up with three starts in the minors after signing with the Orioles in late March, allowing six runs (five earned) with a 13:2 K:BB over 12 innings. Gibson threw 78 pitches and went five innings in his last start with Aberdeen, so he should be able to handle around 90 pitches Tuesday.