MLB Player News

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Tuesday that Bradfield (hamstring) should return to action at Double-A Chesapeake by mid-May, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Elias referred to Bradfield's mild left hamstring strain as "not a huge deal," but it sounds like the injury will wind up costing the speedster at least a month or so of action. Bradfield had a 1.032 OPS with two stolen bases in his first six games with Chesapeake before getting hurt.

The Tigers plan to recall Montero from Triple-A Toledo and give him the start Wednesday against the Brewers, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Manager A.J. Hinch said nobody is injured, and the Tigers just want to push the rotation back one day, as the team is in the midst of a 24-day stretch that includes just one off day. Montero appeared in 19 regular-season games for the Tigers last season, making 16 starts, and turned in a 6-6 record, 4.76 ERA and 77:31 K:BB while serving up 19 home runs across 98.1 innings.

Hancock is expected to make a start this weekend in Toronto, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Hancock opened the season as the Mariners' fifth starter but was sent down after getting rocked for six runs while recording just two outs in his first start. Luis F. Castillo took his place after that, but Castillo has since been optioned himself. Hancock will get another opportunity to hold down the No. 5 spot in Seattle's rotation until George Kirby (shoulder) is ready.

Rodgers (hip) remains out of the lineup for Tuesday's contest in St. Louis, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Rodgers hasn't started a game since April 9 because of a left hip injury. He did appear as a pinch hitter in Monday's game and presumably will be available off the bench again Tuesday. Mauricio Dubon is starting at second base Tuesday for the third game in a row.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Tuesday that the target for Cowser's (thumb) return is late May/early June, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The timetable provided when Cowser went down with a fractured left thumb in late March was 6-to-8 weeks, so it appears he's looking at the latter end of that timeline, if not longer. Heston Kjerstad has been serving as the Orioles' primary left fielder since Cowser was injured.

The Astros recalled Hernandez from Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros optioned Luis Contreras to Triple-A in a corresponding move. Hernandez has tossed seven innings in the minors this season, logging a 7:2 K:BB and a 1.29 ERA. He'll provide Houston depth out of the bullpen after Contreras threw 35 pitches in relief Monday.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Tuesday that Rogers (knee) could be activated from the 15-day injured list sometime in May, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Recovering from a right knee subluxation, Rogers is slated for live batting practice next week at the Orioles' spring training complex in Florida. If that goes well, the left-hander shouldn't be far off from a rehab assignment. Rogers does have minor-league options remaining and isn't a given to be added to the major-league roster once healthy.

The Astros optioned Contreras to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Contreras threw 35 pitches across two innings of relief Monday against the Cardinals. On the season, he has a 9.00 ERA and 10:6 K:BB in nine innings of work. In a corresponding move, the Astros recalled fellow right-handed reliever Nick Hernandez.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Tuesday that McDermott (lat) could return before the end of May, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Working his way back from a right lat strain, McDermott will face hitters at the Orioles' spring training complex in Florida next week. He should be ready for a rehab assignment shortly after that.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Tuesday that Wells (elbow) will begin throwing bullpen sessions within the next two weeks, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Elias suggested that Wells could be ready to contribute with the Orioles during the latter half of summer. The right-hander is coming back from a UCL revision and internal brace augmentation surgery on his right elbow, which he underwent last June.