MLB Player News

Means retired just one of the seven batters he faced in his fourth rehab start with Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, allowing five earned runs on five hits and one walk.

Means covered three frames in both of his previous two rehab outings with Norfolk and was expected to increase his workload Wednesday, but he ended up having the plug pulled on him after tossing just 34 pitches (19 strikes) while struggling mightily in the first inning. The 30-year-old, who is ramping back up from a left forearm strain that flared up in the offseason, hasn't been as sharp as the Orioles have hoped during his rehab assignment, as he now owns an 18.41 ERA and 2.68 WHIP across 7.1 innings with Norfolk. According to Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun, manager Brandon Hyde acknowledged Friday that Means still needs to be stretched out more in the minors, so expect the southpaw to make at least one or two more rehab starts before being activated from the 15-day injured list. Per MLB.com, general manager Mike Elias said earlier this month that the Orioles are targeting "not too deep into May, if it does go into May" for Means to make his season debut with the big club.

Refsnyder went 1-for-3 with a double, a stolen base, a run scored and an RBI in Sunday's 6-1 win over Pittsburgh.

Refsnyder, who has appeared in all four games since being activated off the injured list, has hit safely in three straight as a starter, going 4-for-12 with three doubles, a home run, three RBI and a stolen base. With Tyler O'Neill (concussion) due to return Tuesday, Refsnyder's starts in the outfield will dry up, but he could be used to help fill the void at first base following Triston Casas (ribs) landing on the 10-day injured list Sunday. The Red Sox fear the injury could result in a significant absence, and Refsnyder could be an option there along with Pablo Reyes (.174 average) and Bobby Dalbec (.033). At the very least, Refsnyder will likely be in the lineup anytime Boston faces a left-handed starter.

Garcia went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in Sunday's win over Atlanta.

Garcia launched a home run off Tyler Matzek in the eighth to extend the Rangers' lead to 6-3. His deep blast wound up being the difference in the game, as he continues to provide timely hits with seven RBI over his last five games. The 31-year-old has been one of the better hitters in baseball early on, slashing .326/.368/.616 with six homers, 22 RBI, 16 runs, four steals and a 6:22 BB:K in 95 plate appearances.

Yates secured a save in Sunday's 6-4 win over Atlanta, striking out one while allowing no baserunners in 1.1 scoreless innings.

Yates entered in the eighth with Atlanta threatening with two men on and two outs and struck out Orlando Arcia to get out of the jam. The 37-year-old returned for the ninth and retired the side in order to lock down the save. Yates seems to have a firm grip on the closer role for now after picking up three saves and a win over the last week. He's yet to allow a run and has posted a 0.40 WHIP and 11:2 K:BB in 10 innings this year.

Suarez is slated to start Monday's series opener versus the Angels in Anaheim, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Though he was summoned from Triple-A Norfolk last week to make what was expected to be a spot start, Suarez will end up drawing a second turn through the rotation after he struck out four over 5.2 shutout innings against the Twins in what was his first MLB appearance since 2017. Both John Means (forearm) and Kyle Bradish (elbow) are in the midst of minor-league rehab assignments and may be ready to return from the 15-day injured list within the next week or two, but Suarez could be able to stick around in a starting role if he delivers another quality performance versus the Angels. Dean Kremer (4.91 ERA, 5.28 FIP in 22 innings) and Cole Irvin (4.64 ERA, 4.18 FIP in 21.1 innings) have served as the Orioles' back-end starters so far this season, but neither has performed well enough early on to be fully locked into a rotation spot for the long haul.

Reyes started at first base and went 1-for-4 in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Pirates.

Reyes slotted in for the injured Triston Casas (rib), who was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday. The Red Sox are concerned that the injury could be a significant one, and Boston manager Alex Cora will use Monday's off day to decide how the team plans to proceed without Casas, according to Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe. Reyes, Rob Refsnyder and Bobby Dalbec, who started at third base Sunday for Rafael Devers (knee), are the primary candidates to play first base.

Lorenzen (2-0) got the win Atlanta on Sunday, allowing three runs on three hits and three walks while striking out seven over six innings.

All three runs against Lorenzen came in the first inning after he gave up a home run to Marcell Ozuna. After that, Lorenzen was able to get in a nice groove and shut down Atlanta's talented lineup for his second win in as many tries. He's been an excellent addition thus far for a Rangers rotation still working on getting guys back from injury. Lorenzen owns a 2.45 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 11:8 K:BB in 11 innings and lines up for another weekend start against Cincinnati.

Carter went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Sunday's 6-4 win over Atlanta.

Carter put the Rangers on the board with a fourth-inning home run, initiating a comeback from an early 3-0 deficit. The outfielder also notched his first MLB regular-season hit off a lefty when he beat out an infield single. The first month of the season has been a grind for Carter, who opened the season with an 0-for-15 slump and entered Sunday's game with one hit over his previous 20 at-bats. While he's struggled, Carter has managed to contribute with eight of his 15 hits going for extra bases and by drawing a team-high 10 walks.

Knizner went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Sunday's 6-4 win over Atlanta.

Knizner's three-run blast in the fourth inning helped erase Atlanta's early 3-0 lead. It was his first home run of the season and just his second hit. Knizner started for a second straight game and is filling in for Jonah Heim, who is currently on the bereavement list.

Clement went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's loss to the Padres.

Clement left the yard with a solo blast to left field off Joe Musgrove in the third inning for his second home run of the year. Clement came into this season with just four career home runs and is already halfway to that mark in the first month of the campaign. The 28-year-old is slashing .295/.304/.500 with five extra-base hits, four RBI, nine runs and a 0:5 BB:K in 46 plate appearances.