MLB Player News

Rogers (knee) made his first minor-league rehab start Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out three in three innings for Double-A Chesapeake.

Working his way back from a right knee subluxation, Rogers showed some signs of rust but did throw 44 pitches in his return to game action. The left-hander figures to need somewhere in the neighborhood of four or five rehab outings to build up his pitch count. While he's not guaranteed to occupy a rotation spot for the Orioles once he's deemed ready to return, the team does rank last in the majors in ERA (5.25) and batting average against (.291) and could use some help.

The Twins activated Lopez (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Lopez will make his return to the Twins' rotation Friday against the Angels after missing the past two weeks with a right hamstring strain. He made one rehab start with Triple-A St. Paul this past Saturday, going 4.2 innings and throwing 63 pitches. Lopez hasn't reached the 80-pitch mark since April 2 versus the White Sox, so his workload could be limited Friday.

Springs (hamstring) is listed as the Athletics' scheduled starting pitcher for Saturday's game against the White Sox in Sacramento.

Springs exited in the third inning Sunday against the Brewers due to right hamstring tightness, but follow-up testing didn't turn up anything concerning. After completing his between-starts bullpen session without incident, Springs will be ready to take the hill on five days' rest. Acquired from the Rays in the offseason, Springs has gotten off to a rough start to his tenure with the Athletics, going 3-2 with a 5.64 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 8.7 K-BB% in 22.1 innings through his first five outings.

Burke is expected to serve as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Tyler Gilbert in Friday's game against the Athletics in Sacramento, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The White Sox's Opening Day starter began the season on a high note, holding the Angels scoreless over six innings en route to a win. Things have gone south for the young right-hander ever since, with Burke going 0-3 with an 8.62 ERA, 1.91 WHIP and 12:9 K:BB in 15.2 innings over his subsequent four outings. White Sox manager Will Venable will deploy Burke behind an opener in the hopes that the arrangement yields better results, and working in relief should give Burke a better chance of securing a win than if he were to be used as a traditional starter.

Rasmussen allowed four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five in five innings Thursday against Arizona. He didn't factor into the decision.

Although Rasmussen did yield a season-high four runs and five hits, he still pitched at least five innings in his fifth straight start to open the campaign. The right-hander also gave up his first homer, a leadoff solo shot in the fifth frame to Tim Tawa, but it's been a steady beginning to the season overall. Rasmussen will be looking to reach the 90-pitch marker for the first time this year in his next start, which is poised to come versus the Royals at home. He boasts a 2.10 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 27:6 K:BB over 25.2 innings.

DeGrom didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Athletics after allowing two runs on six hits and no walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out six.

DeGrom was able to keep the ball in the yard at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park, and this was his second start of the year in which he didn't lend a free pass. The star right-hander also induced 12 whiffs Thursday. The Rangers are being careful with the oft-injured deGrom's workload, as he's reached the 90-pitch threshold in just one his first five outings. DeGrom holds a strong 3.33 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 26:7 K:BB across 27 innings ahead of his next scheduled appearance, currently set to come at home against these same Athletics.

Ginn didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Rangers after allowing three runs on six hits and two walks in 3.2 innings. He struck out two.

The long ball proved to be a major problem for Ginn, who gave up a career-high three home runs Thursday. It was also the shortest outing of the year so far for the right-hander, and he recorded a season-low two punchouts. Ginn could have some streaming value in fantasy against softer lineups, as he entered play with an elite 61.5 percent groundball rate, but he has a 4.61 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB over 13.2 innings (three starts). He doesn't shape up as an appealing option in his next projected outing in Texas for a rematch with the Rangers.

Kent was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Friday, SI.com reports.

Kent joined the big-league club Monday and threw three innings Wednesday, allowing one earned run with four strikeouts. He'll immediately head back to Columbus but should have the chance to contribute again in Cleveland later in the campaign.

Anderson didn't factor into the decision Thursday against Pittsburgh after allowing three runs on six hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out one.

Anderson struggled to keep the ball in the yard, giving up two home runs over the first two innings, but he was still able to settle in and register a quality start in his second straight outing. Despite tallying a season low in strikeouts, the crafty lefty managed to induce 14 whiffs, so he did keep Pittsburgh off balance Thursday. Anderson will take a strong 2.60 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 22:12 K:BB over 27.2 innings (five starts) into his next projected start, which lines up for next week against Seattle at pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park.

Povich (1-2) earned the win against the Nationals on Thursday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out five across 6.2 innings.

Povich logged his second quality start of the season Thursday, tossing 87 pitches (60 strikes) while generating 21 first-pitch strikes to 25 batters. His lone blemish came in the second inning on a Josh Bell RBI single, but Povich rebounded to retire 11 of the last 13 batters he faced. Povich has yielded three earned runs or less in four of his five starts this season but has a 5.04 ERA, 1.72 WHIP and 23:9 K:BB across 25 innings. He'll look to make it two wins in a row in his next start, tentatively slated for next week at home against the Yankees.