MLB Player News

Eflin gave up five hits, walked one and struck out six. This was the longest of Eflin’s four starts since coming off the injured list and his second start in a row with at least six strikeouts. His ERA on the season is now 4.20. It’s safe to say Eflin hasn’t been able to repeat his breakout season last year when he won 16 games with a 3.50 ERA. The 30-year-old right-hander is set to face the Nationals at home next weekend.

The 23-year-old had just four plate appearances in three games with the Guardians this season, and he will head to the minors with Angel Martinez coming up. Tena will return to an impressive .293/.341/.480 slash line with 14 home runs and 10 steals in 73 games this season.

Martínez went 2-for-7 in his first taste of MLB action earlier this season and was hitting .316/.416/.537 at Triple-A with five home runs and two steals in 26 games. The 22-year-old is one of the Guardians’ top-hitting prospects, so there is a chance he could find himself with a decent amount of playing time in this stint with the big club. However, he is a contact-first player who has never hit over 14 home runs or stolen more than 11 bases in any season, so his fantasy ceiling might not be that high.

Sandlin had a 2.54 ERA heading into his final appearance before the injury, but he battled through a back injury en route to letting up three runs in that outing. Sandlin will return to a central role in the Guardians’ bullpen.

Morgan was called on to pitch two innings last night with Gavin Williams struggling against the White Sox, so the Guardians are sending him down to get a fresh arm up for the bullpen. Morgan has a 1.98 ERA in 13 2/3 innings this season and remains a key part of the Guardians bullpen. He’ll be back up soon. Nick Sandlin was activated from the 15-day IL to take his place.

This will be Jimenez’s MLB debut after he was called up on Tuesday when Isiah Kiner-Falefa went on the IL. Jimenez was hitting .271/.416/.431 in 57 games at Triple-A with seven home runs and three steals. The 23-year-old profiles as a strong defender and good contact hitter but lacks the power to be an everyday player. As such, he’s probably off the fantasy radar, even in AL-only formats.

It will be the first time that Anthony Volpe is in the lineup and not leading off since April 10th, so this is a big opportunity for Rice. The rookie has a .378 on-base percentage in his 14 games since being called up from Triple-A and Volpe has struggled to get on base. Considering the Yankees’ leadoff hitter gets to bat in front of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, this would be huge for Rice’s fantasy value if he can take advantage of this opportunity.

It’s the first time since April 10th that Volpe will be in the lineup and not be leading off. However, it appears to be a move that was a long time coming. Since Volpe moved into the leadoff spot, he has had the worst on-base percentage among every Yankees player with at least 250 plate appearances. He also ranks as the third-worst leadoff hitter in baseball with his 87 wRC+. Considering the Yankees’ lead-off hitter bats in front of Juan Soto and Aaron Judge, the team needs somebody who can consistently get on base and be driven in by those two studs. Ben Rice will get that shot on Thursday.

Serven was called up on Monday with Danny Jansen on the paternity list. He made one start during his time up and will now return to Triple-A.

Jansen and his wife welcomed a baby girl this week, so congrats to both of them. He will return to the Blue Jays active roster but is not in the lineup on Thursday.

Senga threw 2 2/3 perfect innings on Wednesday in a minor league rehab start for High-A Brooklyn, striking out six on the day. He will now start in Triple-A on Tuesday and will throw 50 pitches, according to Mets manager Carlos Mendoza. At this same, Senga would likely need at least two more rehab starts after this one to build up his pitch count enough to return.