MLB Player News

Means was removed from Wednesday's start against the Cardinals due to left elbow discomfort and will undergo medical testing, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The injury wasn't immediately reported as the left-hander's departure after three innings coincided with a rain delay. Means entered the contest with an average fastball velocity of 90.9 mph this season, but he sat two ticks below that Wednesday. The 31-year-old missed most of last season while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and a back injury, so another elbow issue could be a significant concern.

The Diamondbacks optioned Cecconi to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

The right-hander followed an opener Monday against the Dodgers but still took the loss after he was tagged for six runs over five innings. Cecconi pitched well in his first two starts for the Diamondbacks in late April with just three runs allowed, but in four subsequent outings he has an 8.41 ERA and 11:7 K:BB, and he's given up seven homers during that stretch.

McKenzie did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Mets, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out five.

McKenzie didn't appear to have his best stuff Wednesday, as he'd allow three solo homers before departing with a 3-0 deficit in the sixth inning. However, the Guardians would rally for six unanswered runs in an eventual victory, sparing McKenzie the loss. Still, it's the first time in seven starts that McKenzie's allowed more than two earned runs -- he came into the day with a 2.10 ERA over his prior six outings. Overall, the 26-year-old right-hander sports a 3.44 ERA with a 1.34 WHIP and 45:31 K:BB over 10 starts (52.1 innings) this season. McKenzie's next start is currently lined up for early next week against the Rockies in Colorado.

Quintana did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Guardians, allowing three runs on four hits over six innings. He struck out four.

Quintana was excellent for most of the day Wednesday, allowing just one hit through his first five scoreless innings. However, after allowing a pair of hits in the sixth, Quintana surrendered a two-out, three-run homer to Andres Gimenez that tied the game 3-3, leaving the southpaw with a no-decision. It's just the second quality start for Quintana in 10 outings this season though he's looked better of late, allowing five runs on eight hits and no walks in his last two starts (11.1 innings). He'll carry a 5.13 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 36:18 K:BB into his next start, currently scheduled for early next week against the Dodgers.

The Rangers activated Dunning (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday ahead of his scheduled start against the Phillies.

The right-hander has missed most of this month with a right rotator cuff strain and didn't make a rehab start prior to being activated, so he could be subject to a relatively limited pitch count in his first start since May 4. Dunning enters Wednesday's contest with a 3-2 record, 4.10 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 37.1 innings on the season.

Irvin (2-5) took the loss Wednesday against the Twins, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out six over 6.1 innings.

Irvin was solid overall Wednesday, holding Minnesota to two runs on a pair of solo homers, though he'd ultimately take his third loss in four starts as the Nationals failed to generate enough run support. The 27-year-old Irvin's ERA now sits at 3.79 with a solid 1.07 WHIP and 44:9 K:BB across 10 outings (57 innings) this season. He's currently slated for a tough road matchup in Atlanta early next week.

The Giants activated Snell (adductor) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.

Snell will rejoin the rotation Wednesday after completing his recovery from a Grade 2 adductor strain. The left-hander posted an 11.57 ERA in his first three starts with the Giants this season but looked sharp during two rehab outings, not allowing a hit or a run while collecting a 17:1 K:BB in nine innings. He threw just 60 pitches in his most recent rehab outing Friday, so Snell's workload could be relatively limited Wednesday. According to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area, Snell could go on paternity leave after Wednesday's outing, but in such a scenario, he should be back in time to make his next start.

Woods Richardson allowed three hits and one walk over 4.2 scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Nationals on Wednesday. He struck out one.

Woods Richardson didn't have his best stuff Wednesday, though he still managed to hold Washington scoreless before he was pulled with two outs in the fifth inning after throwing 77 pitches. While he came an out shy of qualifying for a win, it was another solid effort overall for the 23-year-old right-hander -- Woods Richardson has now held opponents to two runs or fewer in six of his seven outings this season. Overall, he's 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 26:7 K:BB across 35 innings this year. Woods Richardson is currently lined up for a home matchup with the Royals in his next start.

The White Sox recalled Nastrini from Triple-A Charlotte prior to his start Wednesday in Toronto.

Nastrini could get an opportunity to make multiple starts for the White Sox after the club opened up a spot in the rotation for him by recently designating Brad Keller for assignment. The young right-hander had one solid start and one poor one last month with Chicago, ultimately allowing eight runs (seven earned) over eight innings.

Maeda (illness) could return from the 15-day injured list to start Saturday or Sunday versus the Blue Jays, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Petzold notes that Maeda is lined up to pitch this weekend, but the Tigers haven't yet divulged any official plans on that front. The right-hander has been on the shelf since mid-May with a viral illness but made a three-inning rehab start this past weekend for Triple-A Toledo and got through a bullpen session Wednesday with no concerns. Matt Manning is slated to make another start for Detroit on Friday but could be sent back down after that to make room for Maeda in the rotation.