MLB Player News

Kjerstad is expected to play more frequently versus right-handed pitching after Colton Cowser (thumb) was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Kjerstad started just one of four games -- all which came against right-handed starters -- in the Orioles' opening series against the Blue Jays. However, with Cowser set for an extended absence due to a fractured thumb, Kjerstad should be a regular in the lineup versus right-handers for several weeks. The 26-year-old Kjerstad had a .998 OPS at Triple-A Norfolk and a .745 OPS with four home runs in limited playing time with Baltimore last season. He should be added in most fantasy leagues, but keep in mind that the Orioles are tentatively slated to face three lefties during the upcoming week.

Baldwin is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Twins.

Baldwin had picked up starts in both of the White Sox's previous two matchups with right-handed pitchers, going 2-for-7 at the dish. Though he'll find himself out of the lineup in Monday's series opener versus Twins righty Chris Paddack, Baldwin's standing as a switch hitter who's capable of playing multiple spots in the infield and outfield should allow him to continue seeing at least semi-regular playing time.

Amaya will start at shortstop and bat ninth in Monday's game against the Twins.

Amaya has now started at shortstop in each of the White Sox's first four games, but he has yet to do much with the opportunity. In the White Sox's season-opening series versus the Angels, Amaya went 1-for-8 with three strikeouts while slotting in as the No. 8 hitter in each of those contests. Even if the White Sox continue to give him an extended run in an everyday role, Amaya -- who owns a .402 OPS over 89 career big-league plate appearances -- can probably be ignored outside of AL-only formats until he performs well enough to warrant more attention.

Larnach is not in the lineup for Monday's contest versus the White Sox.

Larnach made two starts at designated hitter and one in left field as the Twins faced all righties in their first series against the Cardinals. However, with southpaw Martin Perez toeing the rubber Monday, the left-handed hitting Larnach will take a seat. Ryan Jeffers is in the DH slot, Willi Castro is handling left field and Mickey Gasper will be at second base.

Wallner is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the White Sox.

The Twins are facing lefty Martin Perez, so manager Rocco Baldelli is rolling out a lineup of all right-handed or switch hitters. Harrison Bader is in right field in place of the left-handed-hitting Wallner, who went 1-for-11 with a double in the first three games of the season.

Harris (oblique) opened a rehab assignment at Triple-A Las Vegas and went 1-for-3 with a stolen base while playing seven innings at third base in a 9-4 loss to Reno.

Harris didn't play in any Cactus League games after Feb. 26 due to a left oblique strain that resulted in him opening the season on the 10-day injured list, but after he was recently able to take part in some simulated games at Athletics camp in Arizona, he was given the green light to head out on a rehab assignment. The 26-year-old may need only a few games at Triple-A to prove his health, but since he doesn't appear to have a path to a spot on Athletics' active roster at the moment, Harris could be optioned to Las Vegas once he's reinstated from the IL.

Altavilla re-signed Sunday with the White Sox on a minor-league contract.

Chicago granted Altavilla his release last Tuesday after informing him he wouldn't be included on the Opening Day roster, and after briefly exploring his options in free agency, the right-hander ultimately decided to return to the White Sox organization. He reported to Triple-A Charlotte and struck out a batter over 1.2 perfect innings of relief Sunday in the affiliate's 9-6 win over Gwinnett.

McCullers (forearm) struck out three and allowed two earned runs on two hits and one walk across two innings Sunday in a rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land.

After tossing a scoreless, 13-pitch inning in his lone Grapefruit League appearance March 18 before opening the season on the 15-day injured list, McCullers increased his workload in his first rehab outing, covering an additional frame and tossing 35 pitches (20 strikes). Since he missed the last two seasons while recovering from June 2023 surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon, McCullers will build up slowly in the minors, but a late April or early May return from the IL could be in the cards if all goes smoothly during his subsequent rehab starts.

The Orioles recalled Carlson from Triple-A Norfolk on Monday, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Despite posting a 1.071 OPS in Grapefruit League play, Carlson was unable to secure a spot on the Orioles' Opening Day roster, but he didn't have to wait long for a call-up after Colton Cowser fractured his left thumb Sunday and landed on the injured list a day later. Heston Kjerstad is likely first in line to replace Cowser in the lineup when the Orioles face right-handed pitching, but the switch-hitting Carlson could end up filling the short side of a platoon in the outfield with either Kjerstad or Cedric Mullins.

The Orioles placed Cowser on the 10-day injured list Monday with a fractured left thumb, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Cowser injured the thumb on a slide into first base in Sunday's loss to the Blue Jays, and testing revealed the fracture. It's not yet clear how much time Cowser will miss, but it will certainly be longer than a minimum stay on the IL. Dylan Carlson has taken Cowser's spot on the roster and will get some playing time in Cowser's place, but Heston Kjerstad could be the primary beneficiary.