MLB Player News

Eflin (6-7) earned the win against Toronto in the first game of Monday's doubleheader, allowing three runs on 10 hits and no walks while striking out seven betters over six innings.

After being acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay on Friday, Eflin got the ball for Game 1 of Monday's twin bill. The right-hander wasn't at his sharpest, as he gave up a season-high 10 hits, but he was able to go just deep enough and pitch just well enough to pick up both a quality start and a victory. Eflin also tied his campaign high with seven punchouts while inducing 12 whiffs. His next start is tentatively slated to come in Cleveland this weekend.

Duran went 2-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI, a steal and two runs scored in Monday's 14-7 win over the Mariners.

Duran recorded his first stolen base since the All-Star break, and his 23rd steal ties him for ninth most in MLB this season. The 2024 All-Star has picked up right where he left off in the first half, hitting. 356 in 10 games since the break. Duran has nine multi-hit games in his last 15 games and has seen his slash line climb to .291/.350/.508 for the campaign.

Smith went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Monday's 14-7 win over the Mariners.

Smith picked up two more extra-base hits to continue his recent hot stretch. Smith now has three homers in his last 16 games, the same amount he had in his first 54 games this season. Despite being relegated to a platoon role, Smith has had a solid first season with the Red Sox. The 29-year-old has six home runs, 32 RBI, and a .707 OPS through 70 games.

Povich was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk following Monday's doubleheader with the Blue Jays, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Povich served as the Orioles' 27th man for the twin bill and drew the start for the nightcap. He was the pitcher of record in the Orioles' 8-4 loss, dropping to 1-5 on the season while striking out one batter and allowing six runs (three earned) on seven hits and five walks over 4.1 innings. The 24-year-old now owns a 6.27 ERA and 1.69 WHIP with 25 strikeouts over 37.1 frames in eight starts with Baltimore this season. He'll look to keep refining his craft with Norfolk.

Yoshida went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer, four RBI and two runs scored in Monday's 14-7 win over the Mariners.

Yoshida continued his hot stretch with another three hits on Monday and tying a season-high with four RBI. Over his last 20 games, Yoshida is hitting .347 with 20 RBI, and he's hit three of five home runs this season in that span. The 31-year-old has been playing regularly since returning from the injured list on June 11 and has settled into a key role in the middle of the Red Sox lineup.

Witt went 4-for-5 with a grand slam, a double and an additional run scored in Monday's 8-5 victory over the White Sox.

The Kansas City shortstop slugged a pivotal grand slam off reliever John Brebbia in the eighth inning to give the Royals an 8-5 lead they wouldn't give up. Along with his monstrous homer, Witt also collected his second four-hit performance of the season to raise his AL-leading batting average to .347. The 24-year-old superstar has had a monumental month of July so far, hitting .488 (41-for-84) with seven homers, 22 runs scored and 21 RBI, as he enters the AL MVP discussion.

The Astros are expected to promote Leon from Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Leon will join the Astros' 40-man roster and 26-man active roster as a replacement for outfielder Joey Loperfido, who was dealt to the Blue Jays on Monday. The 26-year-old has posted big numbers in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League this season, batting .297 with 19 home runs and 23 stolen bases over 424 plate appearances with Sugar Land. With the Astros struggling to settle on a permanent replacement in right field for the injured Kyle Tucker (shin), Leon could have a chance to take hold of an everyday role in the Houston outfield in the short term.

Pivetta (5-7) allowed three runs on six hits and a walk over 6.2 innings Monday, striking out 10 and earning a win over Seattle.

Pivetta had it going on Monday, racking up 10 strikeouts for the third time in his last five starts. Pivetta had shown some impressive stuff in the month of July with 44 strikeouts and six walks over 27 innings in five starts. The 31-year-old snapped a streak of six outings without a win, he'll carry a 4.47 ERA into his next start currently scheduled vs the Rangers this weekend.

McArthur picked up the save in Monday's 8-5 win versus the White Sox, pitching a clean inning with no strikeouts.

The Royals right-hander entered this contest on a cold spell, having allowed nine runs (eight earned) over his previous three outings, but he swiftly retired the Chicago side on 10 pitches. McArthur now sports a 5.31 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 32:8 K:BB across 42.1 innings while going 18-for-23 in save chances this season. Given the unsteady performance, his role as the Kansas City closer may be relinquished if a more trustworthy reliever is acquired before Tuesday's trade deadline.

Marsh did not factor into the decision in Monday's 8-5 win over the White Sox, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk over 4.2 innings. He struck out three.

Marsh entered this outing with a 7.80 ERA across 15 innings in July and failed to get out of the fifth against a feeble White Sox lineup. The Royals right-hander lasted just 69 pitches before being relieved as Chicago had knocked five singles and one double off the 26-year-old. After pitching to a 3.76 ERA in 55 innings over his first 10 starts, he has produced a 5.82 ERA across 46.1 innings since June 8. Marsh may not have a spot in the rotation any longer as Kansas City acquired Michael Lorenzen on Monday and have not announced the rotation plans for the upcoming weekend series in Detroit.