MLB Player News

Cowser went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Cubs.

Sunday marked just the fourth multi-hit game for Cowser across 27 games since the start of July. With Cedric Mullins now out of the fold, Cowser should see steady action in Baltimore's outfield the rest of the way despite his recent dry spell. Cowser is slashing only .209/.280/.308 with two home runs, three doubles, seven RBI and five stolen bases over his last 100 plate appearances.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Monday that Mahle (shoulder) "feels really good" but is still a couple weeks away from throwing off a mound, MLB.com reports.

Mahle was cleared to begin a throwing program shortly after the All-Star break, but he's still limited to playing catch at this stage of his recovery and will need to increase his throwing distance off flat-ground before he's cleared for bullpen sessions. Assuming the Rangers plan on having Mahle get stretched back out as a starter, he'll likely need several weeks to complete his throwing progression, which will include multiple minor-league rehab starts or simulated games. Mahle appears unlikely to return from the 60-day injured list until late August or early September.

Perkins (0-2) took the loss against the Diamondbacks on Sunday, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four over three innings.

Making the first start of his career after debuting in a long-relief role, Perkins labored through three frames and needed a season-high 62 pitches to get nine outs. The 25-year-old righty had been effective out of the bullpen, carrying a 2.75 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 19:7 K:BB over 19.2 innings entering Sunday. While the transition to the rotation didn't yield immediate success, Perkins should have a fairly long leash as the A's give the top prospect a chance to establish himself as a long-term rotation piece.

The Mariners promoted Cijntje from High-A Everett to Double-A Arkansas on Sunday, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

A 22-year-old switch-pitcher, Cijntje has posted a 4.58 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with 83 strikeouts over 74.2 innings in 19 appearances with Everett this season. Though he's a natural southpaw, Cijntje is considered more advanced as a right-handed pitcher, which has been reflected in his splits at Everett. Over 28.1 innings against left-handed hitters, Cijntje allowed a .262 batting average and posted a 28:25 K:BB, whereas righties batted just .161 in 45.2 innings while he amassed a 55:10 K:BB.

The Mariners will promote Emerson from High-A Everett to Double-A Arkansas during the upcoming week, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Emerson will make the leap to Double-A after slashing .281/.388/.453 with 11 home runs and six stolen bases over 90 games with Everett this season. The shortstop is considered to be among Seattle's top prospects.

Bieber (elbow) struck out six and allowed two earned runs on five hits and one walk over five innings in his rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Buffalo.

Taking the hill for the first time as a member of the Blue Jays organization, Bieber spotted 47 of his 62 pitches for strikes. He sported a fastball that topped out at 94.4 mph and held steady throughout the afternoon at around 93 mph, about a tick above his average velocity from his two 2024 starts before he underwent Tommy John surgery last April. According to Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star, Bieber said after Sunday's outing that he was unsure whether he would be activated from the 60-day injured list to make his next start for the Blue Jays, who may prefer for the right-hander to get stretched out a little more before clearing him for his first MLB appearance in nearly 16 months.

Ramirez went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and a walk in Sunday's loss to Minnesota.

Ramirez belted his 23rd home run of the year in the first inning Sunday. He's gone deep in two straight games and has 10 long balls over his last 26 appearances. Ramirez has also collected multiple hits in six of his last 10 appearances, vaulting his season average up to .302. He now owns a .910 OPS with 46 extra-base hits and 61 RBI through 108 games.

Urena made his first start for the Twins and did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over four innings against the Guardians. He struck out three.

Urena was a late replacement for Simeon Woods Richardson, who had his start pushed back due to an illness. Urena isn't likely to get another turn in the rotation, but he could be used as a bulk reliever or in an opener role, as the Twins' rotation and bullpen remain in flux after the team traded away five relievers Thursday.

Ramirez picked up the save Sunday against the Guardians. Michael Tonkin began the ninth inning with a three-run lead but gave up two runs. Ramirez replaced him to retire the final two batters for a save in his first appearance of the season.

Cole Sands was thought to be Minnesota's new closer after the top five options in the bullpen were traded Thursday, but it was Tonkin who was given the first opportunity. Despite the save, Ramirez isn't likely to be used to close games. However, Sunday's game may be a sign that manager Rocco Baldelli will use a committee approach at the end of games with no set closer.

France (shoulder) allowed four earned runs on two hits and four walks over two innings in his rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Sugar Land. He also hit a batter.

The 30-year-old right-hander moved up to the Triple-A level for the third start of his rehab assignment after previous stops in the rookie-level Florida Complex League and at Double-A Corpus Christi. He pushed his pitch count up to 49 on Saturday, but that was about the only positive takeaway on the day for France, who threw just 22 strikes and failed to record a punchout. France will continue to get stretched out as a starter while he completes his recovery from July 2024 right shoulder surgery, but Houston may not have a rotation spot available for him by the time his 30-day rehab window comes to a close in late August.