MLB Player News

The Red Sox optioned Anderson to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Anderson will cede his spot in the Boston bullpen to left-hander Eduardo Rivera, who was summoned from Triple-A and will provide the Red Sox with a fresh arm capable of covering multiple innings. During his first stint in the majors, Anderson appeared in three games and allowed three earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out six over eight innings. Anderson will likely re-enter the rotation once he returns to Worcester.

The Red Sox transferred Casas (abdomen/knee) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.

Casas' move to the 60-day IL frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for left-hander Eduardo Rivera, who was called up from Triple-A Worcester. The Red Sox placed Casas on the 10-day IL coming out of spring training while he was completing his recovery from knee surgery, and though his rehab from that injury has gone according to plan, the first baseman has since been shut down from activity after suffering a left abdominal strain earlier this month. Casas is without a clear timeline for a return, but Wednesday's transaction ensures that he'll be on the shelf through at least the final week of May.

The Red Sox selected Rivera's contract from Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Rivera compiled a 0.90 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 10 frames over his two starts with Double-A Portland to begin the season before receiving a promotion to Worcester earlier in the week, but he'll temporarily bypass the Triple-A assignment to provide a fresh arm in the big-league bullpen who's capable of covering multiple innings. The Red Sox optioned righty Jack Anderson to Triple-A to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster for Rivera.

Ellwanger was placed on the 60-day injured list at Single-A Fort Myers on Wednesday with a right elbow sprain, Theodore Tollefson of Zone Coverage reports.

A sprain indicates ligament damage, though it's unclear at this point whether Ellwanger might need surgery. A third-round pick in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, Ellwanger turned in a dominant first three starts at Fort Myers, tossing 11.2 shutout innings with a 15:5 K:BB. Now he will be sidelined for at least a couple months, and perhaps much longer.

The Orioles recalled Espada from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

Espada will provide reinforcement to an Orioles bullpen that will be without closer Ryan Helsley (personal), who was placed on the bereavement list Wednesday in a corresponding move. Though he's unlikely to enter the mix for save chances while Helsley is away from the team, Espada will provide the Orioles with a fresh arm in middle relief. Espada has posted a 5.40 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 7:9 K:BB in 10 innings with Norfolk this season.

Gelof is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Seattle.

Gelof started each of the previous three games, including the last two in center field while Denzel Clarke (foot) was unavailable. Clarke was placed on the 10-day injured list earlier Wednesday, but Gelof will begin the series finale on the bench while Lawrence Butler shifts over to center field.

The Orioles placed Helsley on the bereavement/family medical emergency list Wednesday.

Per MLB rules, Helsley will be away from the Orioles for a minimum of three days and a maximum of seven days after going on bereavement leave. After signing a two-year deal with Baltimore over the winter, Helsley has gotten off to a respectable start to the season as the team's closer, converting all six of his save chances while pitching to a 2.79 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB in 9.2 innings. Rico Garcia (0.75 ERA, 0.42 WHIP in 12 innings) and Yennier Cano (1.23 ERA, 0.68 WHIP in 7.1 innings) have been the Orioles' top-performing setup arms this season and could be the top choices for save chances while Helsley is deactivated.

Alexander is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Royals.

Alexander had cracked the lineup in each of the last three games, making starts at third base, center field and right field while going 0-for-10 at the plate. The 27-year-old's ability to play multiple infield and outfield spots has helped him see semi-regular starts for most of the season, but his poor offensive production has prevented him from solidifying a full-time role. Alexander is slashing just .185/.254/.204 with a 31.7 percent strikeout rate over 60 plate appearances on the campaign.

Rutschman is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Royals.

Rutschman returned with a bang Tuesday following a stint on the injured list, going 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in the Orioles' 6-5 loss. With the Orioles wrapping up their series in Kansas City with a day game after a night game, Rutschman will receive a breather Wednesday, but now that he's healthy again, he should be locked into a near-everyday role between catcher and designated hitter.

Jimenez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels.

Following a stretch of four consecutive starts at designated hitter, Jimenez will take a seat for the series finale while Vladimir Guerrero covers the DH spot and Lenyn Sosa enters the lineup at first base. Since being called up from Triple-A Buffalo on April 12, Jimenez has gone 8-for-21 (.381 average) with three walks against four strikeouts, but his opportunities remain likely to dry up once the Blue Jays get either of George Springer (toe) or Addison Barger (ankle) back from the injured list.