MLB Player News

Armstrong (groin) allowed one hit and struck out one over a scoreless inning for Double-A Akron on Friday, MLB.com reports.

This was the second rehab outing for Armstrong, who also threw an inning Wednesday. The Guardians are determining the next step for the right-hander.

Rodriguez didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Mets, allowing one run on five hits and one walk in 4.1 innings. He struck out one.

Recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for a spot start, Rodriguez gave the Yankees 4.1 quality frames Sunday. The 22-year-old right-hander has not yet completed five innings in any of his first three major-league starts, but he's at least managed to keep the ball in the yard despite posting a troublesome 4.15 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 6:9 K:BB over 13 innings. Rodriguez is next tentatively slated to take the hill against the division-rival Rays, but the expectation is that Gerrit Cole (elbow) will retake his place in New York's rotation after making one more rehab appearance.

Benson batted leadoff for the third time in the last five games and went 0-for-3 in Sunday's 10-3 loss to Cleveland.

The struggles of TJ Friedl (.182 batting average) has forced Cincinnati manager Terry Francona to seek other solutions at leadoff. Either Benson or Dane Myers has hit atop the order the last five games. Benson's .176 batting average doesn't scream leadoff batter, but his ability to get on base (17.4 percent walk rate) makes him a better option than Friedl at this time. Benson has just one hit over his last 19 at-bats.

Peralta didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Yankees, allowing three runs on two hits and six walks in five innings. He struck out four.

Peralta really labored Sunday, tossing just 44 of his 96 pitches for strikes while tying a career worst in walks allowed. Control has proven to be a persistent problem for the 29-year-old right-hander, who has issued multiple free passes in eight of his 10 starts on the year. Peralta has yet to work into the seventh inning this year, but he's pitched at least five frames in nine outings en route to producing a steady 3.31 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 54:25 K:BB over 54.1 innings. He's set to face the division-rival Marlins his next time out.

Friedl started in center field and batted eighth in Sunday's 10-3 loss to the Guardians. He went 0-for-2 and was pinch hit for in the seventh inning.

Friedl's playing time has taken a dramatic hit, as Sunday's start was his first in four games. When a leadoff batter is hitting .184 two months into the season, that forces a manager to seek other solutions in the field and at leadoff. Will Benson batted leadoff Sunday, and he's been sharing that role with Dane Myers the last five contests. For now, Friedl appears to be in a platoon, getting starts against righties, but either Benson or JJ Bleday could serve in that role if Friedl doesn't improve. He's gone 2-for-25 over his last eight games.

Fernandez went 1-for-3 with one RBI and one stolen base in Sunday's 8-6 win over the Rockies.

Fernandez started all three games of this weekend series against the Rockies, going 4-for-12 with two RBI and two steals. Two of those starts came against right-handed pitchers, though Ketel Marte serving as designated hitter Saturday before resting Sunday likely factored into Fernandez's usage in the field. Through 127 plate appearances this year, Fernandez is hitting .275 with a .693 OPS, three home runs, five steals, 14 RBI and 20 runs scored. He'll play regularly against left-handed pitchers, but it doesn't look like he'll be strictly platooned when his hitting is good.

Moreno went 3-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored in Sunday's 8-6 win over the Rockies.

Moreno logged his third multi-hit effort in a row, a span that also includes his two steals this season. His bat looks to be coming around -- prior to this hot stretch, he went 0-for-16 over a six-game span. The catcher is hitting .253 with a .677 OPS, one home run, 12 RBI, 11 runs scored and seven doubles across 92 plate appearances this season.

Sewald walked one and struck out none in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 8-6 win over Rockies.

Sewald took his first blown save of the season Wednesday versus the Rangers, and he didn't pitch for three days after that. He bounced back well Sunday, throwing 11 of 16 pitches for strikes to pick up his 10th save in 11 chances this year. Aside from Wednesday, Sewald has mostly taken care of business when closing, but his struggles have been more prevalent when in non-save situations. He's at a 4.41 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 19:6 K:BB across 16.1 innings this season, and he's allowed three home runs.

Soroka (6-2) allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out eight over 5.2 innings to earn the win over the Rockies on Sunday.

Soroka escaped a Coors Field start without allowing a homer, and the eight strikeouts were his most in any of his last six outings. He's now allowed two runs or less in seven of his nine starts this season, including in each of his last three, though he came up an out short of a quality start. For the season, he has a 3.49 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 55:14 K:BB through 49 innings. Soroka is projected to make his next start at home in a rematch with the Rockies.

Lorenzen (2-6) allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and three walks while striking out five over 4.2 innings to take the loss Sunday versus the Diamondbacks.

This was Lorenzen's fourth straight loss, and he's allowed 20 runs (19 earned) over 20 innings in that span. This is the third time in five home outings he's been on the hook for at least six earned runs. Overall, he has a 7.03 ERA, 1.91 WHIP and 36:17 K:BB across 48.2 innings over 11 appearances (10 starts). Lorenzen's next start is projected to be a rematch with the Diamondbacks in Arizona.