MLB Player News

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Sunday that Means (elbow) will make another minor-league rehab start prior to being activated from the 60-day injured list, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Means' rehab assignment will reach its 30-day limit Friday, so his upcoming outing will likely be his last in the minors before he's cleared to make his 2023 debut for the Orioles. The veteran southpaw -- who is working his way back from April 2022 Tommy John surgery -- looked sharp his last time out Thursday for Triple-A Norfolk. He struck out six while allowing one hit and two walks over five scoreless innings, building up to 86 pitches in the process. If Means takes the hill for Norfolk on Tuesday, he could reinstated from the IL as soon as next Sunday.

Alcantara (7-12) earned the win Sunday, allowing four runs (two earned) on nine hits and two walks over eight innings against the Nationals. He struck out three.

The Nationals did most of their damage against Alcantara with a three-run fifth inning, though the right-hander battled his way through eight innings to earn his seventh win. It's been a bit of a struggle for Alcantara of late, as he's now allowed 15 runs (13 earned) in his last four starts (26.1 innings). Overall, he sports a 4.14 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP and 151:48 K:BB across 28 starts (184.2 innings) this season. Alcantara is currently in line for a road matchup with the Phillies in his next outing.

Suarez did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over four innings against the Brewers. He struck out five.

Suarez was held to 75 pitches in his return to the Phillies rotation, allowing two runs on a pair of solo homers across four innings of work. The 28-year-old southpaw had worked to a 2.45 ERA in his previous three starts before going on the IL with a hamstring strain, allowing five runs over 18.1 innings. Overall, Suarez is 2-6 with a 3.91 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 94:37 K:BB across 18 starts (101.1 innings) this season. He'll likely have a longer leash in his next outing, currently scheduled for next weekend against Miami.

Miley (7-4) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks over 6.1 innings against the Phillies. He struck out four.

Miley was cruising Sunday, holding the Phillies hitless until the sixth inning. However, he gave up a run on a Nick Castellanos two-out double before surrendering a pair of homers in the seventh en route to an eventual 4-2 loss. The 36-year-old Miley had been pitching well for the Brewers, going 4-1 with a 2.77 ERA over his prior 10 starts. Overall, the left-hander sports a 3.33 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP and 64:30 K:BB across 19 starts (100 innings) this season. Miley's currently lined up for a road matchup with the Yankees in his next outing.

Taillon did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing five runs on seven hits over 5.2 innings against the Reds. He struck out seven.

The Reds got to Taillon early, tallying four runs on three homers in the first two innings. The right-hander ultimately settled down, however, holding Cincinnati off the board until the sixth inning. Following a four-start winning streak, Taillon's struggled of late, posting a 7.86 ERA over his last five starts. He's 7-9 on the season with a 5.73 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 113:33 K:BB across 25 starts (127.1 innings) this season. Taillon's currently in line for a home matchup with the Diamondbacks in his next outing.

Spiers didn't factor into the decision in Sunday's 15-7 loss to the Cubs after striking out seven while allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over four innings.

After allowing three runs in his first two innings, Spiers salvaged his major-league debut by retiring the final six batters he faced. The 25-year-old right-hander had shown some strikeout upside in the minors, punching out 45 over his last six Triple-A starts (33 innings). With Hunter Greene, Brandon Williamson and Ben Lively all due to return from the COVID-19 list, Spiers will most likely return to the minors soon.

Atlanta optioned Vines to Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

Though the young right-hander cruised to a win while striking out five over six innings of two-run ball in his big-league debut this past Wednesday in Colorado, he was sent back to Gwinnett to make room on the roster for a fresh relief arm in right-hander Ben Heller, who was called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move. Per Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta is likely to call up either of Michael Soroka or Dylan Dodd from Triple-A when the team breaks a new No. 5 starter into the rotation Tuesday versus the Cardinals. Vines will head back to the minors for now but should be an option to rejoin the big club later in September, either as a multi-inning reliever or starter.

The Rockies reinstated Anderson (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list prior to his start Sunday against the Blue Jays.

Anderson will rejoin the Colorado rotation after he had resided on the IL for the past five weeks due to shoulder inflammation. The 35-year-old righty will be returning to the 28-man active roster after he completed two minor-league rehab starts, most recently tossing three shutout innings and 64 pitches this past Tuesday for Triple-A Albuquerque. Though not fully stretched out, Anderson could be able to reach the five innings he would need to qualify for a win Sunday if he can be efficient with his pitch count.

The Red Sox placed Whitlock on the bereavement list Sunday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Whitlock will be away from the Red Sox for at least the next three days -- and no more than seven -- as he tends to a personal matter. Lefty reliever Brennan Bernardino (illness) was activated from the COVID-19 injured list in a corresponding move.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Kluber (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session soon, MLB.com reports.

If all goes well in the session, Kluber will go on a rehab assignment. Cora said the team hopes the right-hander can pitch again this season.