MLB Player News

Rocchio could see a drop in playing time if Gabriel Arias (ankle) is activated this weekend as expected.

Rocchio has performed much better during his second stint in the majors this season and has made a case for sticking on the MLB roster. He opened the year as Cleveland's starter at shortstop, but after posting a .433 OPS through 35 games, he was demoted to Triple-A Columbus in early May. Rocchio had an .837 OPS for the Clippers and a .709 mark since his recall in early July when Arias was placed on the 10-day injured list.

Arias (ankle) could be activated off the 10-day injured list ahead of this weekend's series against the Royals, MLB.com reports.

Arias has played four games so far on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Columbus, including two consecutive nine-inning contests at shortstop Tuesday and Wednesday. The back-to-back work in the field suggests his activation is imminent. Prior to the injury, Arias operated as the Guardians' primary shortstop, having replaced a struggling Brayan Rocchio, but it's unclear if he'll return in the same role. Rocchio, who was called up when Arias landed on the IL in early July, has hit .254 (15-for-59) with a .709 OPS, eight extra-base hits and 11 RBI over 20 games. Those results are much better than what he posted over the first 35 games of the season, and which got him demoted in early May.

Povich (hip) made a rehab start with Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, striking out six while allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks in five innings.

Povich made his third rehab appearance since he suffered a setback in his recovery from left hip inflammation in late June, and he was able to push up his pitch count to 70. The Orioles will need to add a sixth starter to the mix during the upcoming week, so Povich could be an option to return from the 15-day injured list to pitch in one half of a doubleheader next Tuesday with the Blue Jays.

Bradish (elbow) made his first rehab start with High-A Aberdeen on Thursday, striking out four while allowing one earned run on two hits and one walk in two innings.

Bradish made his first appearance since undergoing Tommy John surgery last June, tossing 37 pitches over his two-inning appearance. The 28-year-old right-hander encouragingly touched 97 miles per hour with his fastball and also generated seven whiffs. Fantasy managers can consider Bradish worthy of stashing in most formats -- the righty held a strong 2.75 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 53:15 K:BB over eight starts in 2024 before suffering the season-ending elbow injury -- but he's unlikely to rejoin Baltimore's rotation until mid-to-late August since he'll need several more rehab appearances to get stretched back out.

Olson (4-4) took the loss after throwing 5.2 innings, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four, during Thursday's 11-4 loss to the Blue Jays.

The normally reliable Olson faltered Thursday against the surging Blue Jays, allowing a season-high five runs in 5.2 innings of work. In particular, the home runs are what hurt the 25-year-old, as he surrendered two long balls this start after giving up only three entering the game all season. The right-hander's streak of nine straight starts allowing three runs or fewer is over, and he's scheduled to have a chance to restart that streak at home against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

Silseth (undisclosed) has been working primarily in a relief role for the Angels' ACL club, posting a 5.14 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 12:1 K:BB over seven innings spanning five appearances since July 5.

Silseth landed on Triple-A Salt Lake's 7-day injured list May 20 and missed over six weeks of game action. He began a minor-league rehab assignment with the ACL Angels on July 5 and has worked in relief in four of the five games in which he's appeared. Silseth had one poor outing, giving up four runs in one inning July 21, but has held the opponent scoreless in his other four appearances. He could continue to work in relief when he returns to Salt Lake, per Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register.

Lauer (6-2) picked up the win after throwing eight innings, allowing one run on five hits and no walks while striking out six, during Thursday's 11-4 win over the Tigers.

Facing one of the league's top offenses, Lauer delivered his best start of the season. His longest start prior to Thursday was six innings, but he bested that by two frames and allowed just one run in the process. Since the 30-year-old has been stretched back out to being a starter, he's been one of the Blue Jays more reliable options, not allowing more than three runs in an appearance all season. His ERA sits at 2.61 with 71 strikeouts over 69 innings, with his next appearance scheduled to be on the road at Baltimore.

Loperfido went 2-for-5 with a solo home run during Thursday's 11-4 win over the Tigers.

Loperfido was one of three Blue Jays to leave the yard Thursday. It was the second time he's homered since being called up to the majors in early July. Since being recalled from Triple-A Buffalo, the outfielder has been hot at the plate, slashing .324/.361/.529 with seven RBI in 34 at-bats.

Clement went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer and an additional RBI during Thursday's 11-4 win over the Tigers.

Clement broke a 1-1 tie in the fourth inning with a three-run home run. The 29-year-old has hit just five homers on the season, but he does have 20 doubles and 31 RBI. He's maintained an everyday role all season, although he's had a tough July prior to Thursday's showing, slashing just .186/.205/.257 with four extra-base hits and five RBI.

Lukes went 2-for-5 with a double and a two-run home run during Thursday's 11-4 win over the Tigers.

Lukes snapped a four-game hitless stretch and an eight-game streak without an extra-base hit by hitting a double and a two-run home run Thursday. The 31-year-old has just eight doubles and six home runs in 204 at-bats this year, contributing to a slash line of .265/.355/.392.