MLB Player News

Kremer (triceps) may need to make another rehab start this week before being reinstated from the 15-day injured list, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Kremer logged 3.2 innings in his first rehab start June 16 while building up to 59 pitches. He made his second start Saturday with Norfolk but needed 39 pitches to record two outs and was charged with five earned runs on five hits and one walk. Baltimore can go with a five-man rotation this week even without Kremer, and if he is able to go deeper into his third rehab start, he could return from the IL as early as July 2 in Seattle.

The Orioles recalled Kjerstad from Triple-A Norfolk on Monday.

Kjerstad will get another shot with the big club but it's uncertain whether he'll see regular at-bats. He played sparingly during his last stint, starting just four times over a 17-game stretch. Colton Cowser has slashed just .183/.285/.299 since the beginning of May, so it's possible Kjerstad will eat into his playing time in the outfield.

The Orioles designated Maton for assignment Monday.

Maton will be pushed off roster as the Orioles make room for outfielder/first baseman Heston Kjerstad, who was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding move. During his five-day stay with the Orioles, Maton saw action in just one game and didn't receive any plate appearances.

Altuve went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs scored Sunday against the Orioles.

Altuve led off the bottom of the first inning with his 12th home run of the season and third in his last 13 starts. He's been hot in that stretch, maintaining a .352 average with 11 RBI and 10 runs scored while also chipping in a stolen base. Altuve has already locked in his third consecutive season with double-digit homers and steals and is hitting .299 across 342 plate appearances on the campaign.

McCormick went 0-for-4 with a strikeout Sunday against the Orioles.

McCormick's line isn't notable, but Sunday marked his third start in Houston's last four games against a right-handed pitcher. He had previously been losing playing time against righties to Trey Cabbage and Mauricio Dubon, but the absence of Kyle Tucker (shin) and lack of production from Jake Meyers have opened up playing time for McCormick. He's shown modest improvement in his last five starts, going 4-for-14 with a pair of homers, three RBI and five runs scored.

Lowe went 3-for-4 with a double, a run scored and a stolen base Sunday against the Pirates.

Lowe blasted two home runs Friday and ended the Rays' series in Pittsburgh 6-for-11 with three runs scored, five RBI and a stolen base. After an injury-filled start to the season, Lowe has started to come around at the plate by tallying three multi-hit performances in his last six starts.

The Red Sox will transfer Mata's (shoulder) rehab assignment to Triple-A Worcester this week, Peter Abraham and Alex Speier of The Boston Globe report.

Mata made two appearances (both starts) for Double-A Portland last week, throwing five shutout innings. The right-hander was initially sidelined in February by a hamstring injury, which has since healed, but shoulder soreness ensued. Mata, who is out of minor-league options, can remain on his latest rehab assignment until July 15, at which point the Red Sox will have to decide how to proceed. The club was focused on making him a reliever prior to hamstring injury, and it's unlikely Mata would be part of the parent club's rotation.

Wong went 1-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in Sunday's 7-4 win over the Reds.

Wong got the Red Sox started with a two-run home run in the fourth inning, extending a hit streak to 13 games (17-for-48, .354). The catcher, who entered 2024 with a career .232 batting average, is up to .330 for the season.

Langford went 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 4-0 win over the Royals.

The story of the game was the return of Max Scherzer to the mound, but Langford also contributed to the Rangers' fourth straight win. His fourth-inning double plated Texas' first run and he came home on Leody Taveras' two-run single. Langford has at least one hit and one RBI in five consecutive games, knocking in 10 runs in all while going 8-for-19 with five extra-base hits.

Smith went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during Sunday's 4-0 win over Kansas City.

Smith tagged Sam Long for a solo shot in the seventh inning, marking Smith's third home run in the last five games. During that stretch, he's 7-for-13 with six RBI. With third baseman Josh Jung (wrist) nearing a return, Smith could shift away from the hot corner and into the DH slot.