MLB Player News

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said that Allard is "definitely an option" to enter the rotation after Ben Lively (forearm) was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Triple-A Columbus lefty Doug Nikhazy and rehabbing right-hander Slade Cecconi (oblique) also represent options to fill the opening in the big-league rotation, but Allard may have the edge since his pitching schedule had been aligned with Lively's. After making four starts for Columbus, Allard has excelled while working in a long-relief role for Cleveland, turning in a 1.20 ERA and 0.87 WHIP over 15 frames. When Lively left his latest start Monday against the Brewers after working just three innings, Allard followed him with three scoreless innings of his own. Since he hasn't tossed more than 52 pitches in any outing in May, Allard could be on a light workload restriction if he's called upon to start when Lively's next turn comes up this weekend in Cincinnati.

Thomas (wrist) will require at least a week's worth of rehab games with Triple-A Columbus before being activated from the 10-day injured list, MLB.com reports.

Thomas began his rehab assignment Tuesday with Columbus, going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts out of the designated hitter spot. The Guardians have a series in Minnesota that runs through next Wednesday, so the earliest Thomas rejoins the Guardians might be for the start of their series in Detroit on May 22. Angel Martinez has played well in center field since Thomas injured his right wrist a month ago, so Thomas might not be guaranteed regular playing time once he returns.

Pillar (back) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco on Wednesday.

Pillar has missed the last week of action with lower-back inflammation but is ready to test himself in a game setting. He is eligible for activation from the 10-day injured list at any point and shouldn't need many rehab at-bats before rejoining the Rangers' active roster.

The Twins recalled Funderburk from Triple-A St. Paul ahead of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Orioles.

Minnesota is designating Funderburk as its 27th man for the twin bill, so he'll presumably head back to St. Paul after the second game of the day concludes. The 28-year-old southpaw has previously made two relief appearances for the Twins this season, giving up two earned runs on three hits and one walk while striking out five over four innings.

Manager Brandon Hyde confirmed that Povich will make his next start during the Orioles' home series versus the Nationals this weekend, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Povich initially lined up to start Tuesday against the Twins, but after that game was postponed, the Orioles won't have him pitch against Minnesota and will instead push his next start back a few days. Chayce McDermott will be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and is expected to make a spot start or serve as a bulk reliever in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus Minnesota to fill the gap in the rotation. As Meyer notes, being moved off of a start against a righty-heavy Twins lineup should be more favorable for the left-handed Povich, who now gets to face a Nationals lineup that typically features four lefty bats (James Wood, CJ Abrams, Nathaniel Lowe and Luis Garcia).

Naylor is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Brewers.

Naylor caught both of the first two games of the series but will get a breather for Wednesday's matinee. Austin Hedges will start behind the dish and bat ninth for the Guardians.

Santana is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Brewers.

Santana will get a routine day off after starting in each of the previous 11 contests. Kyle Manzardo will play first base for the Guardians on Wednesday.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that Westburg suffered a setback in his recovery from a left hamstring strain and has paused his running progression, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Westburg appeared on pace to begin a rehab assignment at some point later this week, but his return from the 10-day injured list will be pushed back further in light of the setback. Hyde didn't commit to a timeline for Westburg to resume running, so until that happens, a more definitive target date for the All-Star infielder's return will be difficult to pin down. The Orioles brought back Ramon Urias (hamstring) from the IL on Wednesday, and he's expected to serve as the team's regular third baseman while Westburg is on the mend.

Rivera is out of the lineup for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Twins.

Rivera had started at third base in each of the last five games, but his playing time is likely to fall by the wayside with the Orioles bringing back Ramon Urias (hamstring) from the injured list. Expect Urias to handle the bulk of the starts at the hot corner moving forward, though the right-handed-hitting Rivera could still be a regular part of the lineup against left-handed pitching at either first or third base.

Stephenson (elbow) began a rehab assignment with Single-A Inland Empire on Tuesday, allowing one run over one inning.

It was Stephenson's first game appearance in more than a year, as he's nearly completed the long road back from UCL reconstruction with an internal brace. Given the long layoff, Stephenson will likely require most, if not all, of his allotted 30 rehab days before joining the Angels' bullpen.