MLB Player News

Tavares went 1-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run, a second run scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the White Sox.

Getting the start in center field and batting seventh against left-hander Noah Schultz, Tavares swiped his 10th bag of the year in the sixth inning before swatting his third homer of the season, and first since April 20, in the eighth off Brandon Eisert. With the Orioles' outfield fully healthy again, Tavares will get most of his playing time in a short-side platoon role in place of either Colton Cowser or Dylan Beavers. Through 75 games, Tavares sports a .696 OPS that would be his best mark since 2023.

Kremer (1-1) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over six innings during a 6-1 victory over the White Sox. He struck out four.

Making his first start since April 18 after recovering from a quadriceps strain, Kremer got taken deep by Sam Antonacci on the second pitch he threw but then slammed the door shut on Chicago, retiring the next 11 batters he faced and not letting another runner get past second base. Kremer has delivered quality starts in two of his three trips to the mound this season, and he'll take a 3.18 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 20:3 K:BB over 17 innings into his next outing, which is set to come at home next week against the Cubs.

Kolek (personal) is expected to return from the family medical emergency list to start Thursday's game against Tampa Bay, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Kolek moved from the paternity list to the family medical emergency list Tuesday so that he could spend more time away from the team following the birth of his child, but the Royals won't end up having to skip his turn in the rotation for a second time. The 29-year-old righty will be looking to bounce back from a disastrous nine-run, 1.2-inning performance during his last start June 21, though he'll be facing a Rays offense that's posted an .881 OPS across its last 10 games.

Schultz (2-5) took the loss Wednesday as the White Sox were downed 6-1 by the Orioles, giving up three runs on two hits and four walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out seven.

Activated from the IL earlier in the day after recovering from a knee issue that cost him all of June, Schultz blanked Baltimore for four innings before running out of gas in the fifth and getting lifted after 87 pitches (57 strikes). The seven strikeouts were the southpaw's highest total since April 25, when he fanned a career-high eight. Through his first nine big-league starts, Schultz carries a 5.86 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 40:26 K:BB through 43 innings. He'll look to be a little more efficient in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Red Sox.

Melton didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Yankees, allowing no runs on two hits and one walk in 6.1 innings. He struck out seven.

Given the sweltering conditions at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, Melton hung in there for quite an efficient and impressive outing. The 25-year-old right-hander has been especially superb over his last three starts, during which he's yielded only a pair of runs to go with an 18:4 K:BB covering 18.1 innings. Melton will take an outstanding 2.05 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 32:10 K:BB over 43.2 innings into his next scheduled outing at home against the Athletics.

Warren didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Tigers, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out seven.

Warren handled a bit of reduced workload Wednesday, tossing his second-fewest pitches (79) of the year, with the sweltering heat at Yankee Stadium potentially factoring into the quick hook. It was still an encouraging bounce-back display by the right-hander, who coughed up five runs and recorded no strikeouts his last time out in Boston. Warren will carry a quality 3.73 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 91:29 K:BB over 89.1 innings into his next scheduled outing at pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay.

The Yankees optioned Cruz to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday.

Cruz struck out three batters over two scoreless innings Tuesday, giving him six punchouts through 4.1 shutout frames to begin his MLB career. He'll lose his place in New York's bullpen in preparation for David Bednar's return from the paternity list, but Cruz's strong showings with the big club will likely buy him more opportunities in the Bronx later this summer.

Astros manager Joe Espada said that Javier (shoulder) will be activated from the 60-day injured list Friday and work out of the bullpen, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Before landing on the IL on April 10 due to a Grade 2 shoulder strain, Javier struggled over his three starts with Houston, coughing up 13 earned runs while striking out four batters and walking nine in 9.1 innings. Javier had been building up a starter during his rehab assignment and most recently tossed six shutout innings for Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, but the Astros won't open up a spot for him in their crowded rotation. Espada noted that Javier's move to the bullpen isn't necessarily permanent, though it may take an injury to or poor performance by another starter before the 29-year-old righty receives another look in the rotation.

The Athletics announced Wednesday that Lasko underwent spinal decompression and stabilization surgery resulting from a C6-C7 vertebra fracture, which he sustained in a collision in the outfield with a teammate during a game Tuesday with Double-A Midland, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Lasko needed to be stretchered off the field after the frightening collision, which delayed the game for several minutes. The 24-year-old outfielder is in stable condition following surgery but is without a timeline to return to game action. Lasko has produced a .210/.275/.362 slash line with six home runs and five stolen bases in 74 games with Midland this season.

The Astros rescinded Teng's option and placed him on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right knee sprain, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Teng had been sent down to Triple-A Sugar Land following Saturday's start versus the Tigers, but it's been determined he suffered an injury before that transaction and will instead hit the injured list. It's unclear how long the right-hander might be sidelined.