Minor-league week in review: Former first rounder Cornelius Randolph returns from injury

Cornelius Randolph is a former first-round pick. (Cheryl Pursell)

A former Philadelphia Phillies first-round pick returned to action from an extended stay on the injured list in the latest week of the minor-league season.

2015 first rounder Cornelius Randolph began playing for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs this past weekend for the first time since he suffered an elbow injury at the end of May.

Lehigh Valley is now 43-51 on the season; the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils are 36-60; the High-A Jersey Shore BlueClaws are 41-52; the Low-A Clearwater Threshers are 41-50; the Florida Complex League Phillies are 16-9.

Randolph homers in return

The 24-year-old outfielder took advantage of his time back on the field for the IronPigs on Friday in Rochester, hitting a two-run home run against the Red Wings.

Randolph did go 0-for-6 with a walk in his next two games, but just being available for his Triple-A squad had to be considered a positive. He had been in the midst of a strong start to the season before being placed on the injured list on June 5.

After a five-game tune-up in the FCL earlier this month, Randolph was ready to play for Lehigh Valley once again. He’s now hitting .295/.376/.516 with five home runs in 29 minor-league games.

Eflin starts rehab in Reading

Phillies starter Zach Eflin made a rehab start on Saturday for the Fightin Phils, his first in-game appearance of any kind since being placed on the 10-day injured list on July 20 with right patella tendonitis.

The right-hander tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit. He threw 31 pitches in the outing. It’s not yet clear whether Eflin will make another minor-league rehab start or be activated in the majors for his next start.

Stewart hits two triples in Jersey Shore

Entering Wednesday, D.J. Stewart had just one three-base hit in his career. But in a 6-4 win over Asheville, the 22-year-old tripled that total.

Stewart hit two triples in the game, including a game-winner in the eight that drove in the go-ahead run. He also drove in the first run of the game with his first triple.

He’s now hitting .263/.320/.449 with 12 home runs — and of course two triples — in 72 games between two levels.

Undrafted free agent Minyeti hits first pro homer

Infielder Freylin Minyeti — acquired as an undrafted free agent out of Wabash Valley College, a junior college in Illinois — was added to the Threshers roster on Aug. 10.

This past Sunday, he showed why the Phillies had shown interest in signing him. The 21-year-old went 3-for-5 on Sunday with six RBIs and his first home run as a professional

Minyeti is 7-for-20 in the first eight games of his career.