MLB Player News

Naylor went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in Thursday's 8-5 win over Kansas City.

Naylor's three-run homer in the seventh inning gave the Guardians insurance runs, which they needed to fend off the Royals, who had the tying run at the plate in the eighth. The home run was Naylor's second of the season and upped his RBI total to seven over 28 games. He batted .088 (3-for-34) in the 12 games between his two long balls.

VanWey is expected to be called up from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

VanWey will join the Astros in Cincinnati ahead of the team's three-game series against the Reds. The right-hander has compiled a 5.74 ERA and 1.58 WHIP with 19 strikeouts over 15.2 innings in 15 appearances with Sugar Land so far this season. VanWey will replace Jason Alexander on the major-league roster after Alexander was sent down to Triple-A on Wednesday.

Johnson and the Astros agreed on a minor-league contract Thursday.

Johnson will head to Triple-A Sugar Land after initially electing to become a free agent following his designation for assignment by the Astros on Monday. The 29-year-old has combined to go 2-for-20 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored over six contests between Triple-A Jacksonville and Triple-A Sugar Land so far this year.

Povich exited Thursday's contest against the Marlins in the fourth inning with left forearm discomfort, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.

Povich pitched three innings, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one batter before he was forced to exit the game prior to taking the mound in the bottom of the fourth frame. The left-hander was making his second start with the big-league club since being called up from Triple-A on May 1. Povich finished his day having thrown just 43 pitches, and more information on his status will likely be provided in the near future as he continues to be evaluated.

Smith secured the save Thursday against the Royals, throwing a clean ninth inning. He struck out two.

The 26-year-old right-hander threw just half of his 18 offerings for strikes Thursday, but the Royals were unable to muster a baserunner. Through 17.1 innings this year, Smith has a 3.12 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 23:4 K:BB while converting 10 of his 12 save opportunities. Smith has allowed just one earned run over his last 11 outings, and he's now tied with David Bednar and Lucas Erceg for the American League lead in saves.

Cecconi (2-4) notched the win Thursday against the Royals, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out three.

The outing was a mixed bag for Cecconi but a positive one overall. Although the right-hander threw only 45 of his 82 pitches for strikes and walked multiple batters for the third time in his past five starts, he pitched at least five frames while yielding two runs or fewer for only the second time this year and also managed to keep the ball in the yard. Cecconi still has a shaky 6.15 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 31:16 K:BB across 41 innings, so he shapes up as a risky fantasy option versus the Angels his next time out.

Lugo (1-2) took the loss Thursday against the Guardians, allowing four runs on seven hits and four walks in four innings. He struck out five.

The Guardians ambushed Lugo with three runs in the opening frame, but the hurler was at least able to settle down a bit afterward for a 102-pitch outing. The 36-year-old right-hander walked four batters for the third time already this year, and he's now given up at least seven hits in three consecutive starts after not yielding more than five in any of his first five appearances. Lugo has maintained a decent 3.21 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 42:17 K:BB across 47.2 innings despite the recent shakiness, and he's next set for a favorable matchup against the division-rival White Sox.

The Yankees optioned Beck to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre following Thursday's win over the Rangers.

Beck made his MLB debut Thursday, giving up two earned runs on two hits and three walks while striking out one batter over three innings in bulk relief. With Carlos Rodon (elbow) and Ryan Weathers (illness) both set to return within the next few days, the Yankees don't have any more gaps in the rotation to fill, so Beck will return to Triple-A and continue working as organizational depth.

Bellinger went 3-for-5 with a triple, two RBI, two runs scored and one walk in Thursday's 9-2 win over Texas.

Bellinger continued to tear the cover off the ball, legging out his third triple of the year already and the 31st of his career. The outfielder is riding an impressive nine-game hitting streak, during which he's batting .471 (16-for-34) with two home runs, seven doubles, two triples and 14 RBI. Bellinger has four multi-hit efforts during that span, also stealing one base.

Grisham went 3-for-5 with a double, three RBI, two runs scored and one stolen base in Thursday's 9-2 win over Texas.

Grisham, who hit seventh in the batting order Thursday, rapped a bases-clearing double in the sixth inning as he produced his first three-hit attack of the campaign. The outfielder is off to a hot start in the month of May, going 8-for-28 (.286) with one home run, five doubles, seven RBI and eight runs scored covering his past seven games. Grisham has a trio of multi-hit contests during that stretch.