JULY 19, 2021•THEATHLETIC.COM
Dan Connolly: LHP John Means hasn't pitched for the Orioles... - The AthleticLHP John Means hasn't pitched for the Orioles since leaving in the first inning on June 5 against Cleveland with a strained shoulder muscle....
Domingo Leyba - Gets breather MondayLeyba isn't starting Monday's game against the Rays, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.
ImpactLeyba had started each of the last two games and went 1-for-7 with a double, a run, an RBI and a strikeout during that time. Pat Valaika will start at second base and bat eighth.
JULY 19, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Maikel Franco - Needs rehab assignmentOrioles manager Brandon Hyde said Sunday that Franco (ankle) will require a minor-league rehab assignment before returning from the 10-day injured list, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports....
ImpactFranco has yet to resume full baseball activities since being placed on the IL on July 7 with a right ankle sprain, so he appears to be at least a week away from rejoining the active roster. Kelvin Gutierrez has been serving as Baltimore's primary third baseman while Franco has been on the shelf.
JULY 19, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Cedric Mullins - On bench MondayMullins isn't in the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.
ImpactMullins snapped an eight-game hitting streak Sunday when he went 0-for-5 with a strikeout in the series finale against the Royals. Ryan McKenna will take over in center field and bat seventh.
JULY 19, 2021•ROTOWIRE
MJ Melendez - Leading Double-A in homersMelendez went 3-for-6 with a home run, a walk, two RBI and two additional runs Sunday in Double-A Northwest Arkansas' doubleheader with Arkansas.
ImpactThough he's been overshadowed at Double-A for most of the season by top prospect Bobby Witt -- who was promoted to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday -- Melendez's accomplishments shouldn't be discounted. Melendez's round tripper in the second game of the twin bill was his 19th of the season, tops among all Double-A players. The 22-year-old Melendez is the Royals' top catching prospect in the minors, but his path to a regular role in the big leagues may be blocked by the presence of seven-time All-Star Salvador Perez, who inked a four-year, $82 million extension this spring.
JULY 19, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Road success helps Brewers take commanding NL Central lead
The Milwaukee Brewers are returning home with the biggest division lead of any National League teamJULY 19, 2021•ASSOCIATED PRESS
'Brutal honesty' has Lopez hitting like himselfKANSAS CITY -- There is a saying that Nicky Lopez has gone back to over and over this season. He says it when he’s deciphering his approach....
JULY 19, 2021•MLB.COM
