MLB Player News

The Orioles recalled Povich from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.

Povich started 20 of the 22 games in which he appeared for the Orioles last season and posted a 5.21 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 118:43 K:BB over 112.1 total innings. He's made one start with Norfolk this year, allowing five earned runs while striking out eight batters and walking two over five frames March 31. With Zach Eflin (elbow) landing on the IL on Wednesday, Povich seems primed to claim a spot in the rotation, potentially making his season debut Monday versus the White Sox.

The Twins optioned Kent to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday.

Kent has pitched in two games for Minnesota this season, allowing two earned runs on four hits (including two homers) while posting a 2:5 K:BB over 3.2 innings. He's struggled with his control in the minors and majors, so he may be asked to focus on that aspect of his game while with St. Paul. Right-handed pitcher Garrett Acton was called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Teng threw 2.1 scoreless innings in Saturday's 11-0 win over the A's, allowing two hits while striking out three.

Teng has gotten off to a nice start this season, allowing just one run on four hits and one walk over 5.2 innings in his first three appearances. Teng, who posted a 6.37 ERA across 29.2 innings in a swingman role with the Giants last season, earned a spot in Houston's Opening Day bullpen as Bennett Sousa (oblique), Enyel De Los Santos (knee), Nate Pearson (elbow) and Josh Hader (biceps) all opened the year on the IL.

Ashcraft walked one and struck out one over a scoreless seventh inning to earn a hold in Saturday's 2-0 win over Texas.

Ashcraft recorded his third hold in six appearances while working mostly in the seventh inning of games. He has a 3.00 ERA with 11 strikeouts and three walks over six innings.

The Guardians recalled Allen from Triple-A Columbus to serve as the 27th man for Sunday's doubleheader against the Cubs, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander failed to crack Cleveland's starting rotation to begin the season and has instead stayed stretched out at Columbus. Allen pitched well in his lone Triple-A start, allowing one run on four hits with five strikeouts and a walk across five innings. Slade Cecconi and Parker Messick are penciled in as the Guardians' starting pitchers for the twin bill, setting up Allen to potentially work as a long reliever.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday that a decision whether to activate Kelly (back) when eligible will be announced Sunday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports. The right-hander can be activated April 8.

Kelly is fresh off a 72-pitch outing at Triple-Reno on Friday and responded well the following day. His activation would force an adjustment to the existing five-man rotation. The Diamondbacks could move a current starter with relief experience to the bullpen -- Michael Soroka or Ryne Nelson -- or option Brandon Pfaadt to the minors.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Saturday that Wheeler (shoulder) will continue his rehab assignment Wednesday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley and will make another minor-league start after that, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Wheeler struggled in his second rehab start with Lehigh Valley on Friday, allowing five runs on four hits and two walks while striking one batter over three innings. His four-seamer averaged 92.7 mph, and Philadelphia will give him at least two more starts to build up in the minors after he threw 49 pitches Friday. That puts a possible return to the major leagues around April 18 or 19, depending on how Wheeler fares as he completes his recovery from venous thoracic outlet syndrome surgery.

Hancock (1-1) took the loss against the Angels on Saturday, allowing one run on six hits and no walks while striking out five batters over 6.2 innings.

Hancock served up a leadoff home run to Zach Neto but bounced back by keeping the Angels off the scoreboard over the remainder of his outing. He tossed 58 of 82 pitches for strikes and induced 13 whiffs, but the Mariners' offense couldn't produce any runs -- largely due to Angels right fielder Jo Adell, who robbed Seattle of a homer on three different occasions. Despite the loss, this was another promising start for Hancock, who has now given up just one run across 12.2 frames while posting a 14:1 K:BB through two starts. He began the season in the rotation because of Bryce Miller's oblique strain and placement on the 15-day IL, but it's hard to see Hancock giving up his starting role if he continues to pitch anywhere near this well.

Kochanowicz (1-0) earned the win over Seattle on Saturday, allowing four hits and issuing two walks while striking out seven batters over 5.2 scoreless innings.

Kochanowicz gave up six runs (five earned) over four innings in his season debut against Houston last Sunday, but he was much more effective Saturday. The right-hander held the Mariners without a run over his 5.2 frames, though he got some help from right fielder Jo Adell, who robbed Seattle of one homer while Kochanowicz was in the game and two more following the hurler's departure. One particularly promising aspect of Kochanowicz's outing was his 12 whiffs and seven punchouts -- he posted a 5.8 K/9 over 111 innings last season and topped seven strikeouts only once across 23 starts. Kochanowicz will try to build upon this impressive appearance the next time he takes the mound, which tentatively lines up to be next week in Cincinnati.

Dollander (1-1) took the loss against Philadelphia on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out six batters over 4.1 innings.

Dollander didn't start, but he handled a relatively big workload of 71 pitches with previously scheduled starter Jose Quintana (hamstring) landing on the injured list Thursday. Dollander followed two other pitchers Saturday and entered in the third inning, with his exit coming after getting one out in the seventh. Despite giving up just one run in a strong performance, the right-hander was charged with the loss as Colorado's offense was unable to score after the third inning. Dollander seems primed to pitch on days when Quintana had been scheduled to start, though it's unclear if Dollander will continue to work in bulk relief or if he'll transition to a traditional starting role.