MLB Player News

Kikuchi (5-9) picked up the win Wednesday against the Rangers, allowing two earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out eight in 5.1 innings.

Kikuchi was sharp Wednesday, tallying eight strikeouts while allowing just one extra-base hit -- a solo home run by Marcus Semien in the sixth inning. The southpaw has been excellent in his first two starts in an Astros uniform, pitching to a 3.27 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with an impressive 19 strikeouts in 11 innings. Kikuchi remains somewhat volatile due to his high walk rate -- the 33-year-old has issued multiple free passes in each of his past five starts, failing to pitch six innings in any of those appearances -- but overall he's one of the more underrated arms in the league. He is currently scheduled for a road start in Tampa Bay early next week.

The Yankees recalled Warren from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre ahead of his start in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Angels.

Warren will work as the Yankees' 27th man Wednesday, and he'll most likely be sent back to Triple-A after making his start in the nightcap. The 25-year-old righty surrendered four earned runs in 5.1 innings during his only other start in the majors this season, and he owns a 6.11 ERA across 20 starts in the minors.

Pivetta will have his next start skipped and won't pitch this weekend against the Astros as previously scheduled in order to provide him some extra rest, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

The right-hander isn't dealing with an injury, but he's failed to cover five frames in two of his past three starts and has given up 13 runs (12 earned) in those three outings. Pivetta averaged 91.9 mph with his fastball during his previous start Sunday at Texas, which is down a couple ticks from his season average of 94.1 mph. The 31-year-old could be reinserted into the rotation next week for a rematch versus the Rangers.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that Rodriguez has been diagnosed with a mild right lat strain, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Rodriguez was placed on the injured list earlier Wednesday due to what was labeled as "discomfort," but the team has now confirmed the right-hander suffered a strain following an MRI. Hyde added that he is optimistic about Rodriguez returning to the rotation relatively quickly, though the 24-year-old remains without an official timeline. Albert Suarez, who started in Rodriguez's place Tuesday against the Blue Jays, is the most likely option to fill the void in the Orioles rotation.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias confirmed Wednesday that Suarez is the favorite to take Grayson Rodriguez's (lat) spot in the rotation, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Elias stopped short of saying it would definitely be Suarez, adding that the staff would need to discuss its options first, but all signs point to Suarez being the choice while Rodriguez heals from his lat/teres discomfort. Suarez was shifted to the bullpen after the Orioles acquired Zach Eflin and Trevor Rogers at the trade deadline, but he went five scoreless frames in an emergency start in place of Rodriguez on Tuesday versus the Blue Jays. The righty is lined up to face the Rays on the road Sunday.

Ryan was lifted from Wednesday's start versus the Cubs in the third inning due to right tricep tightness, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Ryan threw three pitches in the bottom of the third inning before calling for the trainer and eventually walking off the field. The Twins should have more information regarding the pitcher's condition after the game. Ryan was charged with one run on one hit with two strikeouts over two-plus innings before being pulled.

Lively (10-7) took the loss Wednesday against the Diamondbacks in the opening game of a doubleheader, allowing four runs on four hits and four walks over five innings. He struck out two.

Lively struggled with command and control a bit Wednesday, issuing a season-high four walks. The Diamondbacks would ultimately make him pay with a pair of two-run homers in an eventual 7-3 Cleveland defeat. It's the first time in five starts that Lively's allowed more than two runs -- he'd posted a 2.78 ERA in his last four outings (22.2 innings) prior to Wednesday. Overall, the 32-year-old right-hander still sports a 3.59 ERA on the campaign with a 1.17 WHIP and 92:34 K:BB across 110.1 innings. Lively will look to rebound in his next outing, currently slated for early next week at home against the Cubs.

The Orioles placed Rodriguez on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right lat/teres discomfort.

Rodriguez was a late scratch from his scheduled start Tuesday versus the Blue Jays due to the injury and is now on the IL a day later. The Orioles aren't yet labeling the injury as a strain, but Rodriguez could still require more testing before a more specific diagnosis is available. He'll be eligible to return Aug. 19, but it's too soon to know whether the righty has a shot to be ready on that date. Albert Suarez pitched well as a last-minute substitution for Rodriguez on Tuesday and is likely to take his spot in the Baltimore rotation.

Ryan was removed from Wednesday's start against the Cubs in the bottom of the third inning with an undisclosed injury, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Ryan called for the trainer after delivering a pitch to Pete Crow-Armstrong, who was leading off the third inning for the Cubs. After a brief conversation with the trainer and manager Rocco Baldelli, Ryan exited without throwing a warmup pitch. He allowed one run on one hit over two-plus frames before being lifted.

DeGrom (elbow) with throw a 20-pitch live batting practice session Thursday at Globe Life Field, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

It will be deGrom's first time facing hitters since he underwent Tommy John surgery in June of 2023. Assuming it goes well, the right-hander will then progress to a two-inning live batting practice session early next week, which could be the final box he needs to check before being cleared to begin a rehab assignment. DeGrom will need multiple rehab starts before rejoining the Rangers' rotation.