MLB Player News

Jax allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out three over four innings in a no-decision versus the Red Sox on Thursday.

Jax stretched out to four innings and 59 pitches (38 strikes) as he continues to build up to being a rotation option. This was his first time allowing runs in an appearance he's started this year, and he's added a 7:3 K:BB across nine innings over his three starts. Jax has a 5.00 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 17:10 K:BB across 14 appearances spanning 18 innings overall. The right-hander is still at least two outings away from approaching a full starter's workload, and it could be longer if the Rays are cautious with him. Jax is tentatively projected for a road start versus the Blue Jays his next time out.

Duran started in left field and went 1-for-3 with two walks, a home run and two RBI in Thursday's 9-2 loss to the Yankees. He was also caught stealing.

Duran, a former Yankee farmhand, knocked in five runs over the three-game series against the team that drafted him. He continued to wield a productive bat -- belting a solo homer in the third inning -- and has hit safely in six of the last seven contests, going 9-for-22 (.409) with six walks, five extra-base hits, five RBI and six runs during that stretch. He should remain a lineup regular for at least the next week or so, as the Rangers navigate injuries to outfielder Wyatt Langford (forearm) and second baseman Josh Smith (glute).

Bazzana went 1-for-3 with a walk, two stolen bases and a run scored in Thursday's 8-5 win over the Royals.

Bazzana hasn't hit much since being called up from Triple-A Columbus, but the 2024 first-overall pick is finding ways to get on base and make noise, He's walked seven times over 33 plate appearances and is up to four steals and five runs scored over eight games. The Guardians will give him time to establish the bat, and while doing that, Bazzana could provide a boost in steals.

Witt went 4-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Thursday's 8-5 loss to Cleveland.

Witt is heating up following a sluggish start to the campaign. He has at least one knock in 16 of his last 18 games, during which Witt is batting .333 with 10 extra-base hits, nine RBI and five stolen bases over 75 at-bats to raise his OPS to .825 for the year. Thursday's four-hit game was the All-Star shortstop's first of the season, as well.

Naylor went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in Thursday's 8-5 win over Kansas City.

Naylor's three-run homer in the seventh inning gave the Guardians insurance runs, which they needed to fend off the Royals, who had the tying run at the plate in the eighth. The home run was Naylor's second of the season and upped his RBI total to seven over 28 games. He batted .088 (3-for-34) in the 12 games between his two long balls.

VanWey is expected to be called up from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

VanWey will join the Astros in Cincinnati ahead of the team's three-game series against the Reds. The right-hander has compiled a 5.74 ERA and 1.58 WHIP with 19 strikeouts over 15.2 innings in 15 appearances with Sugar Land so far this season. VanWey will replace Jason Alexander on the major-league roster after Alexander was sent down to Triple-A on Wednesday.

Johnson and the Astros agreed on a minor-league contract Thursday.

Johnson will head to Triple-A Sugar Land after initially electing to become a free agent following his designation for assignment by the Astros on Monday. The 29-year-old has combined to go 2-for-20 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored over six contests between Triple-A Jacksonville and Triple-A Sugar Land so far this year.

Povich exited Thursday's contest against the Marlins in the fourth inning with left forearm discomfort, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.

Povich pitched three innings, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one batter before he was forced to exit the game prior to taking the mound in the bottom of the fourth frame. The left-hander was making his second start with the big-league club since being called up from Triple-A on May 1. Povich finished his day having thrown just 43 pitches, and more information on his status will likely be provided in the near future as he continues to be evaluated.

Smith secured the save Thursday against the Royals, throwing a clean ninth inning. He struck out two.

The 26-year-old right-hander threw just half of his 18 offerings for strikes Thursday, but the Royals were unable to muster a baserunner. Through 17.1 innings this year, Smith has a 3.12 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 23:4 K:BB while converting 10 of his 12 save opportunities. Smith has allowed just one earned run over his last 11 outings, and he's now tied with David Bednar and Lucas Erceg for the American League lead in saves.

Cecconi (2-4) notched the win Thursday against the Royals, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out three.

The outing was a mixed bag for Cecconi but a positive one overall. Although the right-hander threw only 45 of his 82 pitches for strikes and walked multiple batters for the third time in his past five starts, he pitched at least five frames while yielding two runs or fewer for only the second time this year and also managed to keep the ball in the yard. Cecconi still has a shaky 6.15 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 31:16 K:BB across 41 innings, so he shapes up as a risky fantasy option versus the Angels his next time out.