MLB Player News

Stephenson (biceps) threw a bullpen session featuring his full repertoire Saturday, MLB.com reports.

The side session was Stephenson's second in less than a week, but he incorporated his full arsenal Sunday after throwing only fastballs Wednesday. According to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register, Stephenson is slated to throw three more bullpen sessions before he advances to facing hitters and then heads out on a minor-league rehab assignment. Given all the checkpoints he still needs to hit in his recovery process, Stephenson appears unlikely to return from the 60-day injured list until late August at the soonest.

Akin (3-1) took the loss in Sunday's 5-3 contest against the Cubs, yielding two runs (one earned) on one hit while failing to retire a batter.

The Orioles southpaw entered the game with the score knotted at 3-3 in the bottom of the ninth. After Dansby Swanson reached on a throwing error, veteran Justin Turner cracked a walk-off, pinch-hit long ball on the first pitch he saw. Akin converted a save Saturday to stake a claim as Baltimore's go-to closer while Felix Bautista (shoulder) is out of action, but this performance could add uncertainty to his control over that position. He has pitched to a solid 3.38 ERA and 9.0 K/9 in 40 total innings and remains in a battle with Corbin Martin and Yennier Cano for the closer role.

Young conceded two unearned runs on five hits and two walks over 4.2 innings while not factoring into the decision in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Cubs. He struck out four.

The Baltimore rookie right-hander fared well in this short, 80-pitch outing. Young allowed two unearned runs to score in the first but then settled in to tame the Chicago lineup, as he allowed just one extra-base hit -- an Ian Happ double that drove home one of those unearned runs. After pitching to a 7.52 ERA in 26.1 innings over his first six starts, the 26-year-old has performed better over his latest three outings, producing a 3.00 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB across 15 frames. Even with Cade Povich (hip) being slated to rejoin the Orioles rotation Monday, Young should continue to make starts while Zach Eflin (back) is sidelined. Young currently lines up to make his next appearance against the Athletics at home next weekend.

Orioles manager Tony Mansolino said Sunday that Eflin received an injection to address his lower-back discomfort, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Eflin is on the injured list for the second time in the past two months due to the back issue, which resurfaced after he made just two starts for Baltimore following his return from the IL. The Orioles are hoping that the injection will provide Eflin with some more permanent relief, but Mansolino noted that the right-hander is without a timeline to resume throwing. Given the Orioles' standing as non-playoff contenders, Eflin will likely be brought along deliberately even once he's cleared to start throwing again.

Boyle did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Dodgers, allowing three hits and two walks over five scoreless innings. He struck out two.

It was a strong rebound effort from Boyle, after he gave up six runs (four earned) in just 3.1 innings his last time out against the Yankees. Overall, the 6-foot-8 Boyle has impressed this season, posting a 2.30 ERA with a 0.88 WHIP and 26:11 K:BB through his first 27.1 innings. He'll remain in the rotation going forward after the Rays traded away Zack Littell and Taj Bradley at the deadline. Boyle is currently scheduled to face the Mariners on the road in his next outing.

Bradish (elbow) yielded seven runs (five earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out three over three innings Sunday in his rehab start with Triple-A Norfolk.

After permitting just one run and posting a 6:1 K:BB in 5.2 innings through his first two rehab outings between High-A Aberdeen and Double-A Chesapeake, Bradish wasn't quite as dialed in during his third appearance in the minors. Perhaps more significantly, however, Bradish pushed his pitch count up to 57 (36 strikes), a notable increase from the 37 and 38 pitches he tossed in his first two outings. The right-hander will likely need at least two more rehab starts to build up his pitch count and iron out his command before the Orioles reinstate him from the 60-day injured list. Bradish has been on the shelf all season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last June.

Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino said that Mountcastle (hamstring) won't be reinstated from the 60-day injured list ahead of Monday's series opener in Philadelphia, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Before receiving Sunday off, Mountcastle had appeared in six rehab games for Triple-A Norfolk, making four starts at first base and two at designated hitter while slashing .391/.440/.783 with two home runs and three doubles. Though Mountcastle hasn't experienced any setbacks with his right hamstring during his assignment, Mansolino said that the Orioles want the 28-year-old to get some more at-bats in at Triple-A before he rejoins the big club for the first time since late May. Mountcastle may not be activated during the series with Philadelphia, but he still appears on track to return from the IL at some point during the upcoming week.

The Orioles claimed Ragsdale off waivers from the Giants and optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

The right-hander was designated for assignment by San Francisco last week but will retain a 40-man roster spot with Baltimore. Ragsdale has yet to make his MLB debut and has a 5.37 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 58:38 K:BB across 65.1 innings at the Triple-A level this season.

Valdez (11-5) took the loss Sunday against the Red Sox, allowing six runs (four earned) on seven hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out three.

Valdez managed to hold Boston scoreless through his first three innings before things unraveled in the fourth, when the left-hander gave up six runs on four hits, a walk, a wild pitch and a balk. Valdez had held opponents to two runs or fewer in 10 of his last 11 outings prior to Sunday, posting a stellar 1.77 ERA in that span. His ERA still sits at an excellent 2.76 with a 1.12 WHIP and 144:45 K:BB across 22 starts (144 innings) this season. Valdez is currently scheduled to face the Yankees on the road his next time out.

The Orioles claimed Brujan off waivers from the Cubs on Sunday, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

The 27-year-old was designated for assignment Wednesday and will now go back on the 40-man roster for a new organization in the Orioles, who shipped off a number of players ahead of the trade deadline. Brujan appeared in 36 games with Chicago this season and maintained a .222/.234/.289 slash line in 47 plate appearances. He's likely to fill a utility role for Baltimore.