MLB Player News

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.

Orioles GM Mike Elias said Tuesday that Kittredge (knee) could be back by the end of May, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Kittredge threw his first mound session over the weekend and seems to be flying through his return from arthroscopic knee surgery. The veteran right-hander could face live batters in about two weeks. Kittredge had originally been given a June/July timeframe for his recovery.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Tuesday that Eflin's right lat strain is "very mild" and the pitcher's return is expected to be measured more in "weeks than months," Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Elias added that Eflin -- who was placed on the 15-day injured list April 9 -- is slated to play catch in a few days. It's too soon to know what Eflin's timetable to return is, but he does not appear headed for a long-term absence as long as he can avoid setbacks.

Langford (oblique) will swing a bat Tuesday for the first time since being placed on the 10-day injured list last week, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Langford noted that he feels "pretty much fine," although he hadn't really tested his right oblique out prior to Tuesday. The young outfielder is one week away from being eligible for activation from the IL, but it's too soon to know whether he'll be ready to go on that date.