MLB Player News

The Orioles optioned Carlson to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday.

Carlson started four of Baltimore's past seven games but went 2-for-17 at the plate during that span. He's posted a .667 OPS across 115 major-league plate appearances this season and will now get a chance to work on his stroke in the minors. In a corresponding move, infielder Emmanuel Rivera had his contract selected from Norfolk.

The Orioles selected Rivera's contract from Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday.

The move gives the Orioles additional infield depth with Jordan Westburg currently day-to-day due to a left finger injury that he aggravated during Friday's 22-8 win over the Rays. Rivera was DFA'd by Baltimore on June 10 and was outrighted to Norfolk two days later after clearing waivers. He has gone 6-for-28 (.214) with four walks and four RBI in Triple-A since his outright assignment.

Neto (shoulder) struck out in a plate appearance as a pinch hitter in Friday's loss to Washington.

A shoulder injury has kept Neto out of the starting lineup for the Angels' past two games, though his ability to bat as a pinch hitter Friday suggests that a stint on the IL probably isn't in order. An MRI on Neto's shoulder came back negative, but as of Friday he hadn't yet tested the shoulder by throwing a baseball, according to Doug Padilla of The Orange County Register. Neto will probably need to check off that box before returning to the lineup, though the talented shortstop said that he's "moving in the right direction." He should be considered day-to-day for the time being.

Kennedy (knee) struck out two and allowed two earned runs on five hits and no walks over two innings in his start Thursday after being reinstated from High-A Lake County's 7-day injured list.

Kennedy had been on the shelf since May 7 due to a right knee strain before being cleared to rejoin Lake County after completing a two-start rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. Over 18 innings with Lake County this season, Kennedy has posted a 4.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB.

Kirk went 2-for-4 with two walks, a double, a run scored and an RBI in Friday's 9-0 win over Boston.

The 26-year-old backstop has been on fire for most of June. Through 21 games on the month, Kirk is slashing .354/.398/.561 with five doubles, four homers, 11 runs and a whopping 17 RBI.

Clement went 2-for-2 with three walks, a run scored and an RBI in Friday's win over the Red Sox.

The utility infielder continues to march toward a career-best campaign. Clement has recorded multiple hits in 10 of his last 14 games, a blistering stretch in which he's slashing .453/.500/.585 with four doubles, a homer, a steal, four RBI and 12 runs.

Springer went 3-for-5 with two runs scored, two RBI and a stolen base in Friday's win over the Red Sox.

The 35-year-old outfielder extended his hitting streak to six games, a stretch in which he's gone 12-for-23 (.522) with a homer, two steals, seven runs and eight RBI. Springer's heater has boosted his OPS on the season to .832 -- which would be his best mark since 2021, his first year with Toronto.

Dingler is not in Detroit's starting lineup against Minnesota on Saturday.

Dingler will be rested for the second time in three games as Jake Rogers starts behind home plate and bats ninth. Dingler has slashed .190/.224/.349 with three home runs and 12 RBI in 67 plate appearances since the beginning of June.

Houck (elbow) is scheduled to make his third rehab appearance with Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Houck will work behind an opening pitcher Sunday, though the skipper was careful to note that the right-hander isn't being considered for a move to the bullpen and is expected to re-enter the rotation once he's activated from the 15-day injured list. The decision to use Houck behind an opener Sunday comes after he struggled in both of his first two rehab starts with Worcester, covering 2.2 innings between those outings while allowing five earned runs on five hits and three walks. Houck built up to 49 pitches in his most recent start Tuesday, so he'll likely need to complete an additional rehab appearance after Sunday before he's stretched out enough to slot back into the big-league rotation. When Houck is ready to return from the IL, the Red Sox could expand the rotation to six men, or Boston could keep a five-man setup in place by optioning rookie Richard Fitts to Triple-A or sending struggling right-hander Walker Buehler to the bullpen.

Baez is not in the Tigers' starting lineup against the Twins on Saturday.

Baez will begin Saturday's game on the bench after going 1-for-10 over his last three starts. Zach McKinstry will start at shortstop and bat eighth.