MLB Player News

The Blue Jays optioned Roden to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

Roden was named to the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster, but he has gone 0-for-26 with a 32.3 percent strikeout rate over his last 11 games. He will head back to Triple-A to clean up his performance at the plate, and the move opens a spot on the Blue Jays' 26-man roster for Jonatan Clase, who was recalled from Buffalo in a corresponding move.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that he's hopeful O'Neill (neck) will be available to return from the 10-day injured list for Baltimore's weekend series against Minnesota, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

O'Neill was working through neck soreness in late April, which prompted his placement on the 10-day injured list. He made his first rehab start with Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, going 1-for-3 with one walk while serving as the designated hitter. O'Neill will start in right field Wednesday and could be on his way back to the majors barring any setbacks. O'Neill was slashing .215/.284/.385 with two home runs and 10 RBI in 74 plate appearances prior to his placement on the IL.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde told reporters Wednesday that Eflin (lat) has been cleared to return from the 15-day injured list and will start this weekend against the Twins, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Eflin cleared his final test by throwing a clean bullpen session Wednesday, and the 31-year-old ace will return to the Orioles' rotation this weekend, though which day he'll pitch is to be determined. He went 2-1 over his first three starts prior to landing on the 15-day IL on April 9 due to a right lat strain, registering a 3.00 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB across 18 innings.

Harvey (shoulder) came away from his most recent live batting practice session Tuesday with a bit of soreness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Manager Matt Quatraro said the team is going to ease up a bit on Harvey's progression and will go back to having the 30-year-old righty throw standard bullpen sessions. Once he's able to pitch without triggering any soreness, he'll likely resume work against live hitters.

Jung isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against Colorado.

Jung will get an opportunity to regroup Wednesday after going 1-for-16 with five strikeouts over his last seven games. Zach McKinstry will shift to the hot corner to fill in for Jung, who could be on his way back to Triple-A Toledo if he doesn't rediscover his swing soon.

The Rangers are expected to recall Duran from Triple-A Round Rock ahead of Thursday's game against the Red Sox, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Texas has already placed Kevin Pillar (back) on the injured list in a corresponding move, but since Duran isn't scheduled to arrive in Boston prior to Wednesday's contest, the Rangers will wait until Thursday to make his promotion official. Duran will offer depth at all four infield spots and both corner-outfield spots and will likely see most of his starts against left-handed pitching. He had been on the fire at the plate since being optioned to Triple-A on April 20, slashing .346/.393/.673 with four home runs and five stolen bases over 13 games.

The Rangers placed Pillar on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to lower-back inflammation.

Texas will wait until Thursday to name a replacement for Pillar on the 26-man active roster, but Kennedi Landry of MLB.com relays that Ezequiel Duran is en route from Triple-A Round Rock to join the big club in Boston ahead of its series finale with the Red Sox. Pillar had been filling a short-side platoon role in center field and had typically served as the Rangers' leadoff hitter against left-handed pitching.

The White Sox placed Benintendi on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to a left calf strain.

Benintendi tweaked the calf on Sunday against the Astros and didn't make enough improvement over the last few days to avoid the IL. He will be eligible to return May 15, but it's unclear at this time whether he has a chance to be ready to go on that date. Brooks Baldwin should continue to see the lion's share of starts in left field while Benintendi is sidelined.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that Fitts (pectoral) will throw another bullpen session Thursday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Fitts will throw off a mound for a second time since he landed on the 15-day injured list in mid-April with a right pectoral strain. He will eventually need to make a rehab start or two before being activated, at which point he will likely be optioned to Triple-A Worcester, as the Red Sox aren't expected to have a rotation spot available for him.

Pena went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and four RBI in Wednesday's 9-1 win over the Brewers.

The big blow from the shortstop was a three-run blast in the sixth inning off Elvin Rodriguez, Pena's fifth long ball of the season. After a sluggish start to the season at the plate, Pena has hit safely in 24 of the last 26 games, boosting his slash line on the season to .279/.340/.434 with five steals, 16 RBI and 19 runs.