MLB Player News

Eflin allowed two runs on six hits and a walk across six innings in a no-decision Thursday against San Francisco. He struck out five.

A Michael Conforto two-run homer in the fourth inning accounted for the only runs against Eflin as the right-hander earned a seventh quality start in eight outings with the Orioles -- he's posted a 2.31 ERA in that span. Overall, the 30-year-old Eflin is 10-9 with a 3.53 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 133:19 K:BB across 160.2 innings this year between Baltimore and Tampa Bay. He's currently in line for a pivotal road matchup with the Yankees early next week in what's likely to be Eflin's final regular-season start.

Heyward is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Angels, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The left-handed hitting Heyward had started each of the last four contests, but he'll grab a seat for this one as the Angels send southpaw Jose Suarez to the hill. Yordan Alvarez is in left field for Houston.

Altuve is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Angels, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Altuve started the previous six contests after missing one game with soreness in his right side, but he'll be given rest Thursday in what looks to be a routine day off. Mauricio Dubon is at second base for the Astros and Alex Bregman has moved up to the leadoff spot.

Morel is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Red Sox.

Morel had started the last two games after missing the two contests prior to that with a sore Achilles. His absence from the lineup Thursday appears to be a routine day off. Most of Morel's playing time lately has come in left field, but Dylan Carlson will handle that spot for the Rays on Thursday.

Gausman was removed from Thursday's game against the Rangers due to lower-back tightness.

Gausman was able to get through five shutout innings on just 58 pitches while striking out six batters and walking one before his back forced him to make an early departure. The severity of his injury remains unknown, but the Jays will certainly keep a close eye on him leading up to his next start -- tentatively scheduled for Tuesday against the Red Sox.

Santander went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer, two walks and a second run scored in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Giants.

After the Orioles lost a one-run lead in the top of the ninth, Santander delivered a much-needed blast in the bottom half with a two-out, two-run homer off Ryan Walker to give Baltimore the win. Like much of the O's offense, Santander had been struggling of late, going just 2-for-20 in his previous five games. Still, the 29-year-old switch-hitter is slashing a strong .238/.310/.511 across 630 plate appearances this year with career highs in both home runs (42) and RBI (97).

The Red Sox optioned Horn to Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Just five days after being recalled to the big-league club, Horn will return to Triple-A to make room for Lucas Sims (lat), who was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move. Horn made three appearances during is latest stint in the majors, allowing one run on two hits and three walks across one inning.

The Red Sox activated Sims (lat) from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Sims missed a little more than three weeks of time with a right lat strain but has been cleared to rejoin the Boston bullpen after making a couple rehab appearances with Triple-A Worcester. He's collected an 8.10 ERA in 11 outings for the Red Sox and will likely be pegged for middle relief.

Kavadas is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Houston.

It will be southpaw Yusei Kikuchi drawing the start on the mound for the Astros, so the lefty-hitting Kavadas will begin the festivities on the bench. Brandon Drury will handle designated-hitter duties for the Angels.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that while Weaver could close out "a lot" of games, the skipper stopped short of naming the right-hander his closer, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Boone noted that he wouldn't hesitate to use Weaver earlier in the game if the situation calls for it. Weaver has notched two saves since Clay Holmes was demoted from the closer role and boasts a dominant 16:3 K:BB over 7.1 scoreless innings during that time. However, while Weaver might be the favorite to lead the Yankees in saves down the stretch, it doesn't sound like Boone is eager to have defined roles in the back end of his bullpen.