Yahoo Sports

Nick Pivetta (elbow) struck out five and gave up four runs over three innings on Thursday in a minor league rehab start for Triple-A Worcester.

Advice: As expected, Pivetta threw 62 pitches (36 strikes) in his rehab outing and figures to be ready to take the ball next week against the Braves, most likely on Tuesday, down at Truist Park. The 31-year-old righty has been out since early April recovering from a flexor strain in his right elbow. Rotoworld 56 minutes ago

Irvin is slated to start Friday's game against the Reds in Cincinnati, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Advice: The Orioles returned Kyle Bradish (forearm) and John Means (elbow) from the 15-day injured list, but with Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder) landing on the IL on Wednesday, Baltimore will only have to move one starter out of the rotation to accommodate the two new arrivals. At least for this week, the Orioles are opting to keep Irvin in the rotation over Albert Suarez, who is now being listed as a reliever after he had posted a 2.35 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 15.1 innings over his three starts with Baltimore. Irvin's season-long numbers (3.49 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB in 28.1 innings) aren't quite as sparkling as Suarez's, but the southpaw has been excellent his last two times out, blanking the Royals on the road over 6.2 innings on April 21 before spinning seven shutout innings against the Athletics last Saturday. He could have a tougher time keeping the scoreless stretch going this weekend, taking on the Reds in one of baseball's more hitter-friendly parks. Rotowire.com Today, 8:54 am

Ragans left Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays due to a left calf cramp.

Advice: Ragans was removed from the game midway through the seventh inning and was later seen in the dugout after receiving minimal attention from the Royals' trainers, so his injury doesn't appear to be anything too severe. The team will likely continue to monitor his condition, but the 26-year-old lefty should be able to make his next start. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 7:20 pm

Ginkel pitched a perfect ninth in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Mariners to earn his fifth save of the year. He struck out one.

Advice: Ginkel made quick work of the Mariners' hitters, needing only nine pitches to get three outs. He began by striking out Jorge Polanco and got the next two batters out on weak contact to shut the door. Ginkel has stepped up well in the closer role with Paul Sewald (oblique) on the mend, posting a 3.00 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB in 12 innings. Sewald recently suffered a minor setback in his recovery, meaning Ginkel will have the closer job for a little while longer. Rotowire.com Monday, 3:00 am

Irvin (2-1) picked up the win Saturday, scattering four hits over seven scoreless innings in a 7-0 victory over the A's. He struck out five without walking a batter.

Advice: For the second straight start, Irvin led the Orioles to a combined shutout. The southpaw retired the first 10 batters he faced, and Oakland failed to get a baserunner into scoring position until he'd left the mound. Irvin tossed 63 of 89 pitches for strikes as he extended his scoreless streak to 14.1 innings, and his impressive stretch may have come in the nick of time to save his rotation spot -- Kyle Bradish (elbow) is ready to come off the IL, and John Means (forearm) may not be far behind. Bradish lines up to take Irvin's spot next Wednesday at home against the Yankees, but Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reported prior to Saturday's game that Baltimore could shift to a six-man rotation in the short term. Irvin sports a 3.49 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB through 28.1 innings. Rotowire.com Saturday, 4:35 pm