MLB Player News

Keller allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks over six innings in Sunday's win over the Giants. He struck out four and did not factor in the decision.

After coughing up a pair of runs in the first inning, Keller fired five scoreless frames to produce another solid performance. He retired 14 of the final 16 batters he faced, including a streak of 10 at one point. Since rejoining the rotation against the Dodgers on May 31, Keller has turned in four straight starts of at least five innings and fewer than three runs, and he's sporting a 18:11 K:BB and a 2.42 ERA during that stretch. The 26-year-old righty is expected to start in Tampa Bay next week.

Phillies interim manager Rob Thomson said after Sunday's 9-3 loss to the Nationals that Eflin was limited to two innings in his start due to a lingering right knee bruise, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

According to Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Thomson noted that prior to the game, the Phillies were planning on restricting Eflin to around 50 pitches because of the knee issue, but the right-hander threw only 38 pitches across two innings and gave up four earned runs before his day game to an end. Eflin, who dropped to 2-5 with the loss, admitted that his knee isn't 100 percent, but he believes he'll be ready to go when his next turn in the rotation comes up next Saturday in San Diego. On a positive note, Thomson said that Eflin doesn't have any damage to the patellar tendon in his right knee, which he had surgically repaired last fall.

Matz (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Matz progressed to throwing from flat ground last week, and he's now advanced to pitching off a mound. He's still likely a few weeks away from a return -- he'll need additional bullpen sessions without setbacks before throwing live batting practice, and it's expected the southpaw will ultimately need multiple rehab starts. Matz's absence is now expected to stretch at least into mid-July.

Eflin was lifted two innings into his start Sunday against the Nationals after potentially aggravating the right knee injury he contended with during his previous outing, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

While the knee issue didn't prevent Eflin from returning to the mound Sunday on his normal four days' rest schedule, the right-hander never seemed comfortable against the Nationals. He tossed 28 of his 38 pitches for strikes and was charged with four earned runs on five hits and no walks while striking out two. Expect interim manager Rob Thomson to provide an update on Eflin's condition following the game.

The Dodgers reinstated Heaney (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Sunday against the Guardians.

Heaney's return to the rotation following a two-month absence due to a left shoulder injury comes at a convenient time after ace Walker Buehler (elbow) was placed on the IL a week ago with a flexor strain, which could keep him on the shelf until September. With Buehler on the shelf, Heaney looks like he'll have a long leash to shake off any potential rest he may have coming off the shoulder injury. The veteran southpaw was dominant is his first two starts of the season before landing on the shelf and excelled in his third and final rehab outing at Double-A Tulsa on Tuesday, striking out nine over five scoreless frames.

Feltner will remain in Colorado's starting rotation and will pitch Tuesday at Miami, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Feltner has a 4.85 ERA through five starts this season but has two quality starts in his past three outings, and he'll receive a longer look in the Rockies' rotation. The right-hander has a 3.94 FIP, 1.15 WHIP and 29:7 K:BB through 26 innings this season, so some more favorable results could be on the horizon. Austin Gomber will move to the bullpen as a result.

Gomber has lost his spot in the Rockies' starting rotation and will be available out of the bullpen beginning with Sunday's game against the Padres, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander had a decent 4.11 ERA and 1.20 WHIP through his first eight starts of the campaign, but he surrendered 24 runs across his past four outings to lose his rotation spot. Ryan Feltner will remain in the rotation going forward with Gomber moving to a relief role.

The Giants activated Cobb (neck) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Sunday in Pittsburgh, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Reliever Mauricio Llovera was sent to Triple-A Sacramento to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster for Cobb, who returns from a strained neck following a minimum-length stay on the IL. The right-hander didn't complete a minor-league rehab assignment prior to being reinstated, but he's not expected to have any major workload restrictions in Sunday's outing.

Ashby (forearm) is listed as the Brewers' probable starting pitcher for Tuesday's home game versus the Cardinals, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Ashby's inclusion on the upcoming pitching schedule suggests that he's on track to avoid the 15-day injured list after exiting his most recent start Thursday with left forearm tightness. Manager Craig Counsell characterized Ashby's injury as more of a fatigue issue following the game, and the left-hander seemingly backed up that sentiment by faring well during his bullpen session Sunday, per Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. So long as he remains free of setbacks for the next two days, Ashby should be on tap for a normal workload Tuesday.

Ashcraft (3-1) took a five-inning loss to the Brewers on Saturday, allowing six runs on eight hits while striking out four and walking two.

Ashcraft was tagged for six earned runs across five frames Saturday in his first loss of the year. He threw 61 of 98 pitches for strikes and gave up only two walks. This was Ashcraft's second rough outing in a row, and he has surrendered a total of 10 earned runs in his last 9.2 innings. The righty has added nearly two runs to his ERA since the beginning of June, giving him a 3.51 ERA for the season. Ashcraft will look to turn things around in his next appearance.