MLB Player News

Ragans will undergo surgery on his left elbow Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

A left elbow impingement has kept Ragans on the shelf since early May. He suffered a setback in his recovery June 13 and will now opt to go under the knife to address the issue. The type of procedure he receives will be determined once the surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, diagnoses exactly what is wrong with Ragans' elbow, so a timeline for the southpaw's return won't be available until the operation is complete.

The Mariners recalled Simpson from Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday.

Simpson has coughed up two earned runs in just 2.1 innings with the Mariners this year, but he's turned in a 2.92 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 12.1 Triple-A frames since making his last big-league appearance May 13. He'll provide Seattle's bullpen with a fresh low-leverage arm, replacing Alex Hoppe.

The Mariners optioned Hoppe to Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday.

Hoppe will lose his place in Seattle's bullpen after giving up multiple runs in each of his last two appearances, elevating his ERA to 6.38 through 24 innings. Josh Simpson was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

The Orioles reinstated Povich (elbow) from the injured list Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Povich has been on the shelf for about two months due to left elbow inflammation, but he's been making rehab starts in the minors, allowing four runs (three earned) over seven innings across two appearances. The Orioles will keep him at Triple-A now that he's healthy, though he could be called upon for a spot start later in the year if injuries further weaken Baltimore's rotation.

The Orioles designated Nicolas for assignment Saturday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Nicolas will lose his place on the 40-man roster in order to make room for Dom Keegan, who was claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay on Saturday. Nicolas has given up seven earned runs in 7.1 major-league innings this season, and he hasn't been much better since joining Triple-A Norfolk (three earned runs in 4.1 IP).

The Orioles claimed Keegan off waivers from the Rays on Saturday and optioned him to Double-A Chesapeake, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Keegan was DFA'd by the Rays on Tuesday, but he'll retain a spot on a 40-man roster upon joining the Orioles organization. The 25-year-old backstop has spent the entire season at Triple-A, slashing .185/.322/.298 with six homers, 23 RBI, 24 runs and six steals through 214 plate appearances. He'll move down to Double-A to begin his tenure with the O's, but he could reach Triple-A Norfolk at some point if his hitting improves.

Langford was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against Toronto due to left hamstring tightness, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Langford has slashed .405/.457/.833 while logging a base hit in nine of the Rangers' last 10 games, but a hamstring issue will prevent him from continuing his hot streak Saturday. The severity of his injury is still unclear, but the team will likely provide more information in the near future.

Povich (elbow) made the second start of his rehab assignment for Double-A Chesapeake on Friday, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and one walk in 3.2 innings. He struck out four.

The 26-year-old left-hander also landed 44 of his 66 pitches for strikes. Povich is working his way back from nearly a two-month absence due to left elbow inflammation, but he could still be optioned to the minor leagues once activated from the injured list, especially if Dean Kremer (quadriceps) finishes his rehab assignment first.

Kremer (quadriceps) made his second rehab start for Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, giving up two hits and one walk in 6.2 scoreless innings. He struck out eight.

The 30-year-old right-hander fired 50 of his 79 pitches for strikes. Kremer, who's recovering from a multi-month absence with a right quadriceps strain, appears firmly on track to rejoin the Orioles at some point in early July, which will likely force Trey Gibson from Baltimore's rotation.

Teel isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Kansas City.

After going 2-for-5 with a homer, three RBI and two runs scored in Friday's blowout victory, Teel will grab a seat on the bench while Drew Romo starts behind the plate, batting ninth.