MLB Player News

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.

Woods Richardson is listed as the Twins' probable starting pitcher for Sunday's game against the Astros in Houston.

Woods Richardson was summoned from Triple-A St. Paul earlier this week and made his eighth start of the season for the Twins on Tuesday, taking a loss while lasting just 4.2 innings. Despite the poor outing, Woods Richardson will get another turn with Pablo Lopez (shoulder) and Zebby Matthews (shoulder) both on the injured list.

Lorenzen (4-7) took the loss Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks over six innings against the Athletics. He struck out four.

The right-hander was burned by extra-base hits with men on base, surrendering a two-run homer to Max Muncy in the second inning and an RBI double to Luis Urias in the fourth inning. Lorenzen has endured a rough stretch of late, posting a 7.40 ERA and 1.64 WHIP over 24.1 innings across his past five starts. Cole Ragans' shoulder injury slightly thins the Royals' rotation depth, but Lorenzen will still need to elevate his performance to retain his spot.

Lopez (1-4) earned the win Saturday, allowing three hits and one walk over six scoreless innings against the Royals. He struck out nine.

Lopez was spectacular as he set a new career high in strikeouts. The 27-year-old has bounced between the majors and minors, as well as between the bullpen and rotation, but he's been excellent in his past two appearances, allowing no earned runs over 10 innings while posting a 14:3 K:BB.

Rodon (8-5) took the loss against the Red Sox on Saturday, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out four batters over five-plus innings.

Rodon yielded an unearned run in the first inning before getting through the next two frames unscathed. He then surrendered a single run in each of the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, with the final tally charged to his stat line after he departed. The veteran hurler did induce an impressive 16 whiffs, but those led to just four punchouts -- his fewest in any appearance this season. Rodon has lost to Boston in each of his past two starts, giving up nine runs (eight earned) over 10 frames during that stretch. Prior to those two outings, the left-hander had been cruising, going 7-0 with a 1.27 ERA across nine starts from April 18 to June 3. To his fantasy managers' relief, Rodon won't face Boston again in his next start -- he's slated for a home matchup against the Angels next week.