MLB Player News

Elko is slashing .348/.431/.670 with 10 home runs and a 28.5 percent strikeout rate in 31 games for Triple-A Charlotte.

Elko is a righty-hitting first baseman who is already 26, so it's possible he's just a Quad-A hitter when it's all said and done. His 27.6 percent hard-hit rate and 67 percent contact rate aren't great marks, especially for an older first baseman. Elko is not yet on Chicago's 40-man roster.

Rodriguez picked up his fourth hold of the season in Thursday's win over the Angels, allowing one hit and striking out five over two scoreless innings.

The 28-year-old right-hander needed only 29 pitches (20 strikes) to record his six outs, as Rodriguez helped give the Blue Jays' usual high-leverage options a breather by working the seventh and eighth innings. He may be joining that group himself -- Rodriguez has recorded a hold in back-to-back appearances, and over his last nine outings and 12.1 innings he's posted a 2.92 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB.

Varsho went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run and three RBI in Thursday's win over the Angels.

The center fielder crushed a Connor Brogdon changeup down the right-field line for a solo shot in the eighth inning, giving Varsho his third homer in seven games since making a delayed season debut after completing his recovery from shoulder surgery. He's batting .273 (6-for-22) with one steal, four runs and six RBI. And while Jays manager John Schneider has eased him back into the lineup -- Varsho has yet to start back-to-back games in May -- the Gold Glover appears ready to handle a full workload.

Scholtens (elbow) made his first rehab appearance with High-A Winston-Salem on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Scholtens missed the entire 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery and was placed on the 60-day injured list in spring training. The right-hander worked three innings Tuesday while allowing three earned runs on five hits and two walks and striking out two. He will need several more rehab outings before being ready to re-join the White Sox.

Bazzana went 3-for-5 with a double and scored three runs for Double-A Akron on Thursday.

Bazzana is warming up with the weather and extended his current hit streak to six games Thursday. During the month of May, the first overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft is slashing .310/.333/.517 with a home run, two RBI and eight runs over seven games.

The Royals signed Richards to a minor-league contract Thursday.

Richards had been cut loose by the Cubs earlier this week after posting a 7.27 ERA and 12:7 K:BB over 8.2 innings at Triple-A Iowa. The righty will report to Triple-A Omaha, where he will give the Royals some relief depth.

Ibanez went 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored and two RBI in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Rockies.

Ibanez helped lead the Tigers to an easy 10-2 win then began the nightcap on the bench, though he did enter the contest late as a defensive replacement. The utility player has a solid .259 batting average and .746 OPS to go along with two home runs and 12 RBI in 25 games, but his inconsistent playing time limits his overall fantasy appeal.

Devers said Thursday that he declined a request from team management to play first base, Ken Powtak of MLB.com reports. "They had the conversation with me," Devers said through a team interpreter. "I don't think, for me personally, it's the best decision after they asked me to play a different position."

Alex Cora had previously indicated he wasn't even going to ask Devers if he would be willing to move from designated hitter to first base, and instead, the manager allowed Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow to make the request. After a slow start to the season, Devers has been locked in at the plate since late April, going 18-for-47 with four home runs, four doubles, 11 RBI and eight runs scored over the last 12 games. Devers' insistence on not switching positions leaves Boston without a clear starter at first base in the wake of a season-ending knee injury to Triston Casas.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Gonzalez (back) is still sore but believes the infielder will be ready at some point this weekend, MLB.com reports.

Gonzalez was held out of Thursday's series finale against Rangers after sustaining a back injury Wednesday when he ran into Texas first baseman Josh Smith. Abraham Toro started at first base for the Red Sox on Thursday.

Crawford (knee) threw a live bullpen session Tuesday and will do so again Friday, MLB.com reports.

Crawford is at Boston's spring training complex in Fort Myers, preparing for the next phase of his recovery. Following the live bullpen sessions, the next step should be to pitch in extended spring training games before the Red Sox consider a rehab assignment. The club estimates a mid-June return for the right-hander.