MLB Player News

Eovaldi (elbow) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket on Thursday, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Eovaldi has been sidelined since undergoing elbow surgery in mid-April, though he's closing in on a return. Seeing as he's transitioning to a closer role, the right-hander could be cleared to return during the team's upcoming road trip -- which begins in Baltimore over the weekend and runs through July 24 -- after just a brief rehab assignment, per Koch.

Lynn (12-5) took the loss Tuesday, coughing up five runs on eight hits and a walk over six innings while striking out six as the Rangers fell 9-2 to the Diamondbacks.

It was the first home loss of the season for the right-hander, who came into Tuesday with an 8-0 record at Globe Life Park and a 6-0 record in his last eight starts. Lynn will carry a 3.87 ERA and 140:29 K:BB through 128 innings into his next outing Sunday in Houston.

Heaney did not factor into the decision against Houston on Tuesday, hurling 4.1 innings and allowing two runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out five.

Heaney was gifted a six-run lead after the first inning but couldn't stick around long enough to pick up the win, needing 103 pitches to retire 13 batters. He gave up only one extra-base hit but was constantly in trouble, allowing two or more baserunners in each inning. His saving grace was his ability to punch batters out; four of his five strikeouts came with runners in scoring position. The 28-year-old will carry a 5.09 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 54:19 K:BB into Seattle on Sunday in his next scheduled start.

Gonzales (10-8) took the loss against Oakland on Tuesday, tossing six innings and giving up six runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out five.

Gonzales entered the game having given up three runs or less in six consecutive starts but couldn't tame Oakland's offense. The big blows against him came in the fifth inning, when back-to-back home runs by Matt Chapman and Matt Olson turned a close game into a four-run deficit. Despite the rough outing, Gonzales has been Seattle's most effective starter this season, leading the staff in innings (120.2), wins (10), ERA (4.48) and strikeouts (87). He'll have a home matchup with the Rangers on Monday in his next scheduled start.

Cease (1-1) allowed six runs (four earned) on eight hits with seven strikeouts and one walk across six innings while taking a loss against the Royals on Tuesday.

The Royals scored two unearned runs in the first, and that's all they would need to hand Cease the loss. He displayed better control in this outing than in his first major-league start, but working more in the zone resulted in eight hits allowed. In two major-league starts, Cease owns a 5.73 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 13 strikeouts in 11 innings. Assuming he stays in the rotation, Cease will take face the Rays on Sunday.

Skubal has a combined 2.39 ERA and 118:22 K:BB in 17 starts (90.1 innings) this season between High-A Lakeland and Double-A Erie.

Skubal's first 15 starts of 2019 came for Lakeland, and he posted a solid 2.58 ERA there, but he's been even better in two starts for Erie, allowing just one earned run while striking out 21 across his first 10 innings with the SeaWolves. The 22-year-old is making a name for himself as a pitching prospect, though he's still overshadowed by the likes of Casey Mize and Matt Manning in the Tigers' system.

Luzardo (lat) has been playing catch from 90 feet, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Luzardo suffered the Grade 2 left lat strain in early July and is still working his way back to throwing off a mound. The 21-year-old has a chance to see game action sometime this season but is unlikely to have a firm recovery timetable until he resumes mound work.

Valdez was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Valdez got knocked around Monday night as Houston's bulk reliever, surrendering seven runs while striking out four over four innings of work. Rogelio Armenteros will take his place on the 25-man roster.

Kluber (forearm) is scheduled to throw a 20-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Kluber will take a big step forward Wednesday by firing his first side session (all fastballs) since fracturing his right forearm. Skipper Terry Francona stated that the Indians will give the right-hander extra time between bullpen sessions for the first 7-to-10 days, per Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Bundy (knee) played catch and ran Tuesday, and he's scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Bundy received a cortisone injection in his right knee Saturday, and the right-hander felt great following Tuesday's activities. If all goes according to plan, he'll toss a side session Wednesday, and the Orioles are optimistic that he'll be able to return from the injured list when first eligible July 23.