MLB Player News

Rutschman went 3-for-5 with a grand slam and two RBI singles during Sunday's 9-2 win over the Rays.

Rutschman busted the game open with his second career grand slam, giving the Orioles a 9-2 lead in the eighth inning. His contributions didn't end there, driving in two more batters with RBI singles in the third and seventh innings. His six total RBI were a career high, surpassing his previous best of four. Rutschman has generated a hit in 12 of his last 13 games, batting .339 with four home runs and 16 RBI with a 14.8 percent strikeout rate over that span.

Diaz agreed to a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Sunday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The right-hander was cut loose by Houston in late May but was able to land a minor-league pact with Detroit. Diaz struggled to a 9.64 ERA in 13 outings at Triple-A Sugar Land with the Astros and will need better results with the Tigers to have a chance of seeing the big leagues.

Littell (2-4) took the loss Sunday against the Orioles, allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk across six innings. He struck out three.

Littell had to work for his third straight quality start, stranding five batters and allowing four extra-base hits, including a fourth-inning solo homer by Anthony Santander. Littell has surrendered a home run in five straight starts and owns a 4.55 ERA with a 24:5 K:BB across 29.2 innings. He's tentatively scheduled for a road start in Atlanta on Friday.

Double-A Portland placed Perales on its 7-day injured list Sunday with right elbow inflammation, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

The 21-year-old suffered the injury during his start Saturday, and the initial diagnosis of inflammation is an encouraging development. Perales has yet to undergo an MRI, and it remains to be seen if that will be necessary.

Rodriguez (7-2) picked up the win Sunday against Tampa Bay, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk across 5.2 innings. He struck out six.

Rodriguez retired the first 15 batters he faced Sunday but got into trouble during the sixth before exiting. After walking the leadoff batter in the sixth, Rodriguez generated a strikeout and a lineout but got the hook after allowing back-to-back singles. Still responsible for runners on first and third, Rodriguez was charged with a second earned run when Randy Arozarena hit an RBI single off Dillon Tate. Rodriguez has earned seven wins in 11 starts this season, owning a 3.21 ERA with a 10.1 K/9. He's on track to make his next start during a home series against the Phillies next weekend.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Mateo (concussion) won't be reinstated from the 7-day injured list when first eligible Monday but could be activated Tuesday, Jake Rill of MLB.comreports.

The 28-year-old suffered the concussion June 2 against Tampa Bay and was able to ramp up his baseball work this weekend. Mateo won't be ready after spending the 7-day minimum on the shelf, but it appears his absence won't extend much beyond that.

Skubal (8-1) picked up the win Sunday versus Milwaukee, allowing one earned run on five hits and two walks while striking out 10 batters in 6.2 innings.

Skubal nearly went seven scoreless innings, but he allowed an RBI triple to Brice Turang before being pulled. Skubal dominated the Brewers, inducing 17 swinging strikes and allowing only one extra-base hit, turning in his ninth quality start over his past 10 games. The southpaw has been one of the best pitchers in baseball, compiling a 1.92 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP with 96 strikeouts in 79.2 innings. He is tentatively scheduled for a road start in Houston next weekend.

Cole (elbow) said after Sunday's rehab outing with Double-A Somerset that he'll require at least one additional rehab start, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports. The right-hander allowed one run on two hits with four strikeouts and no walks over 4.2 innings.

Cole threw 44 of 57 pitches for strikes in his second rehab appearance Sunday as he continues building up his workload while coming back from nerve irritation in his elbow. The 33-year-old is trending toward a season debut in late June at the latest, though an exact return date won't come into focus until it's determined how many rehab outings are necessary.

Sano (knee) resumed his rehab assignment Saturday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, starting at designated hitter while going 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI.

Sano made the third appearance of his rehab assignment, but his first since May 23 after being shut down for more than two weeks after burning his inflamed left knee with a heating pad. He could make a few more appearances in the ACL before shifting his rehab assignment to a higher-level affiliate prior to making his return from the 10-day injured list.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Soto (forearm) will go through his normal pregame routine and may be available off the bench Sunday against the Dodgers, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Boone also indicated that Soto should rejoin the lineup during the four-game series in Kansas City that begins Monday, as the outfielder appears to be progressing well in his recovery from forearm inflammation. It remains to be seen if the 25-year-old will be back in action Monday against the Royals, but it appears his absence won't extend too much longer.