MLB Player News

The Guardians are expected to promote Nikhazy from Triple-A Columbus ahead of Friday's game against the Red Sox, SI.com reports.

Nikhazy had been working as a starter at Columbus, posting a 3.44 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB in 18.1 innings. The Guardians intend to deploy Nikhazy out of the bullpen initially, but he could be the next man up to start if an opening emerges in the big-league rotation.

Rooker isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers.

Rooker's performance has been trending in the right direction as of late, as he's gone 8-for-25 with three homers, five RBI and eight runs scored over the past week. He'll take a seat Thursday for the first time this season, opening up a spot in the lineup for Seth Brown to serve as the Athletics' designated hitter.

Renfroe isn't in the lineup for Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Rockies.

Renfroe showed signs of life at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance in the early game, but he'll grab a seat on the bench to conclude Thursday's festivities. His absence will allow Mark Canha to start in right field and bat seventh against right-hander Chase Dollander.

Isbel isn't in the lineup for the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against Colorado.

Isbel went 2-for-4 with three RBI in a 7-4 victory in Game 1, and the Royals will now give him the rest of the day off against Chase Dollander and the Rockies. Jonathan India, Drew Waters and Mark Canha will start across the outfield while Isbel sits.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that O'Neill is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Nationals due to neck soreness, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

It's a recurrence of the same issue that cost O'Neill two games last week. Hyde said that he's hopeful O'Neill will be available off the bench Thursday, so it sounds like a day-to-day situation.

Bregman went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and two total RBI in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Mariners.

Bregman got Boston on the board with his home run off Bryan Woo in the first inning, his fifth long ball this season, before adding a second RBI with a two-out single in the third. Bregman has been red hot at the plate -- he's hit safely in five straight games, going 8-for-18 (.444) with four extra-base hits in that span. The 31-year-old Bregman is now slashing .320/.393/.563 with 21 RBI and 17 runs scored through his first 117 plate appearances with the Red Sox.

Estevez earned the save in a 7-4 over Colorado in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader, turning in a perfect ninth inning.

After allowing three runs in a blown save in his last appearance Tuesday, Estevez bounced back with a clean ninth inning Thursday to lock down his sixth save of the year. The 32-year-old Estevez sports a 3.00 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP and 10:9 K:BB through his first 12 innings this season.

Munoz earned the save in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Red Sox, working around a walk while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

Munoz has now delivered 13 straight scoreless innings to start the season, posting a 0.85 WHIP while striking out 17. The hard-throwing right-hander is up to nine saves this year, tied with Kyle Finnegan for the second most in the majors behind Robert Suarez.

Ragans was removed from his start Thursday against the Rockies due to groin tightness.

Ragans made it through just three innings in the first game of Thursday's twin bill, during which he surrendered four runs on three hits (including two homers) and two walks while punching out four batters. The Royals haven't offered any specifics on the severity of the left-hander's injury, so it's unknown if he'll be able to make his next scheduled start against the Rays next week, but he'll presumably undergo tests in the near future to determine his availability.

Crochet (2-2) took the loss Thursday against the Mariners, allowing four runs on five hits and five walks over five innings. He struck out nine.

The Mariners got to Crochet early Thursday, scoring twice in each of the first two innings. It's the left-hander's first subpar outing with the Red Sox -- Crochet hadn't allowed more than two earned runs in any of his previous four starts. His ERA still sits at an impressive 1.95 with a 1.05 WHIP and 44:15 K:BB across 37 innings this season. Crochet will look to bounce back in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week in Toronto.