MLB Player News

Madden will start Friday's game versus the Blue Jays, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Madden has been terrific in two bulk-relief outings, allowing three runs with a 12:2 K:BB over 11 frames. The top of Toronto's lineup is heavy on right-handed bats, so the right-handed Madden will work as a traditional starter Friday. Madden threw 87 pitches his last time out and will be operating on five days' rest, so he'll be available for a full workload.

Duran went 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-5 win over Arizona.

Duran laced a two-out, RBI double and scored in the ninth inning as part of the Rangers' three-run rally to overcome a 5-3 deficit. He's finding a comfortable home at second base due to Josh Smith (wrist/lower body) being sidelined on the injured list. Duran has hit safely in 10 off 11 contests, slashing .325/.404/.600 with six extra-base hits, eight RBI, one steal and eight runs scored during that stretch. Given that Duran has been good against pitchers of either hand, he could take over as the club's primary second baseman, which had been Smith's job prior to his injury.

Irvin didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 8-7 extra-inning win over the Reds, surrendering six runs (five earned) on four hits and four walks over three innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander got ambushed for five runs in the bottom of the first inning, with most of the damage coming on a Tyler Stephenson grand slam, but the Nationals immediately struck back for four runs in the top of the second in what proved to be a wild affair. Irvin managed only 44 strikes among his 86 pitches as he failed to complete at least five innings for only the second time in nine starts, but he also has yet to last six innings in any outing. Irvin will carry a 5.91 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 45:20 K:BB through 42.2 frames into his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Mets.

Mize (thigh) could return from the 15-day injured list to start Saturday's game against the Blue Jays, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Mize has been sidelined since late April with a right adductor strain. He has not made a rehab start, but the right-hander threw a live batting practice session earlier this week and it appears he could skip a rehab assignment. Mize was excellent in his first six outings this season before getting hurt, posting a 2.90 ERA and 35:11 K:BB over 31 innings. If Mize is able to start Saturday, he figures to be somewhat limited from a pitch-count perspective.

Pederson batted atop the order and went 0-for-4 in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Diamondbacks.

Pederson batted leadoff for a second consecutive game, both against right-handers, while Brandon Nimmo followed him in the order. Prior to the last two contests, Nimmo has been the team's leadoff hitter in every game in which he's started. The Rangers haven't faced a lefty since manager Skip Schumaker tweaked the top of the order, but Pederson presumably wouldn't be in the lineup against southpaws given he's logged just five plate appearances against left-handers all season.

Vargas went 1-for-5 with two RBI in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to Texas.

Vargas' two-run single in the ninth inning gave the Diamondbacks a 5-3 lead, but closer Paul Sewald couldn't convert the save. It was the second consecutive two-RBI game for Vargas, who has knocked in seven runs over the last nine games despite batting just .189 (7-for-37) during that stretch. When given RISP opportunities, Vargas has delivered a .343 average and .743 slugging percentage. He leads Arizona with 28 RBI.

Arenado went 2-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Rangers.

It was a frustrating night for the Diamondbacks, who were 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position when Arenado came to the plate in the ninth inning with runners at the corners. His RBI double tied the game. A two-run single by Ildemaro Vargas followed, and Arizona was in position to overcome the RISP futility but closer Paul Sewald blew the save. Arenado has been good with runners in scoring position and is slugging .710 in those situations. His 20 RBI are tied for second on the team.

Rafaela entered as a pinch hitter and belted a two-run home run in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Phillies.

Rafaela was held out of the starting lineup because interim manager Chad Tracy wanted Masataka Yoshida's left-handed bat against Philadelphia starter and right-hander Andrew Painter. Ironically, Rafaela was announced to pinch hit for Yoshida against a lefty in the sixth inning, but Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly countered with righty Orion Kerkering. Rafaela crushed a fastball for the first pinch-hit home run of his career and the game-winning hit. It was Rafaela's third homer to go along with nine RBI in his last seven contests.

Crochet (shoulder) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Crochet pitched off a mound for the first time since hitting the injured list last month with shoulder inflammation. Next up for the left-hander is an expected two-inning bullpen session this weekend in Atlanta. If Crochet feels good coming out of that longer session, then he could face hitters by the middle of next week, putting him on schedule for a potential return during the last week of May. The Red Sox could follow a similar path as the one laid out for Sonny Gray when he dealt with a hamstring injury earlier this season, which could enable Crochet to return to the rotation without going on a rehab assignment beforehand.

Varsho went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in Wednesday's 5-3 win over Tampa Bay.

After the Rays scored twice to take a 3-1 lead in the top of the 10th inning, Varsho came up with the bases loaded with one out in the bottom half of the frame and launched an opposite-field grand slam off a two-strike pitch from Aaron Brooks, sending Toronto home with a win. It's the fifth homer of the year for Varsho, who's gone 7-for-21 (.333) with an .840 OPS in his last five games. Overall, he's slashing .250/.321/.403 with 13 RBI, 19 runs scored and three steals across 159 plate appearances this season.