MLB Player News

Sanchez (shoulder) was cleared last week to extend his throwing distance off flat ground to 75 feet, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Sanchez is conducting his rehab program for his shoulder injury at the Marlins' spring training facility in Jupiter, Fla., and he'll likely remain there for at least a few more weeks while he ramps up again following a lengthy shutdown. Given that Sanchez has not yet advanced to mound work, he seems unlikely to complete a full throwing program before the All-Star break arrives in mid-July.

Muller will start the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Mets, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Muller will face the unenviable task of opposing Mets ace Jacob deGrom in Game 1 of the twin bill, making it difficult to depend on the lefty rookie to come away with a win even if he pitches well in his first MLB start. Ian Anderson is slated to start Game 2 of the twin bill.

Mets manager Luis Rojas said that Eickhoff will likely start the second game of Monday's doubleheader versus Atlanta if he isn't needed in relief in Game 1, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Jacob deGrom (shoulder) was cleared to take the hill for Game 1, and he'll presumably pitch all seven innings of the contest unless he has a third straight start cut short due to injury or if he uncharacteristically struggles. The Mets called Eickhoff up from Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday after he posted a 5.52 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 41:13 K:BB in 44 innings across his eight starts with the affiliate.

Atlanta recalled Muller from Triple-A Gwinnett and designated him as the 27th man for Monday's doubleheader with the Mets.

Manager Brian Snitker confirmed Sunday that Muller would start one of the two games of the twin bill, but Atlanta has yet to officially announce whether the rookie will take the hill for the first or second contest. Ian Anderson will start the other game for Atlanta.

The Mets confirmed that deGrom (shoulder) will start the first game of Monday's doubleheader with Atlanta, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Though deGrom relayed after playing catch Sunday that he would be ready to go on regular rest for the first game of the series with Atlanta, the Mets weren't willing to confirm his availability until re-evaluating him earlier Monday. With deGrom's right shoulder checking out fine, he's not expected to face any major restrictions in his 12th start of the season. Though deGrom's last two outings have been cut short due to injuries, he was somehow even more dominant than usual in both starts, covering nine innings between them and striking out 18 while allowing no runs on one hit and no walks. Assuming he's able to make it through Monday's start unscathed, deGrom will line up for his second start of the week Saturday or Sunday at home versus the Phillies.

Castillo (2-10) allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out seven over six innings as he took the loss to the Padres on Sunday.

All three runs Castillo gave up came off one swing. Wil Myers came up with two men on in the third and cleared the bases with a triple off the right field wall. He ended up scoring on the play due to a throwing error when the Reds tried to get him out stretching for three. Castillo pitched well enough for the win but will now stand at 10 losses after a horrible first two months of the season. He's rebounded well over his last four starts with a 2.19 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 26:10 K:BB over 24.2 innings. The 28-year-old currently lines up to pitch against Atlanta over the weekend.

Eflin (2-6) allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits over five innings Sunday, striking out six and taking a loss against the Giants.

Eflin was tagged with nine hits, tied for his second-most in a start this season, but all six earned runs came via the long ball. He served up a pair of homers in the first and another in each of the third and fifth innings. The 27-year-old's ERA jumped to 4.39, and he possesses an 83:10 K:BB over 84 innings. Eflin had allowed just three homers over his previous five outings. He's lined up to face the Mets on the road next weekend.

Kim (1-5) lost Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader 1-0 to Atlanta, going four innings and allowing one run on three hits and a walk with two strikeouts.

Kim only threw 47 pitches and made one mistake to Ronald Acuna that ended up costing the Cardinals the game, as they failed to put any runs on the board. Kim has allowed four runs or less in all 11 starts but is averaging less than five innings per turn, which severely limits his upside.

Wainwright (5-5) allowed a run on three hits and three walks while striking out 11 in seven innings to earn the win in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader versus Atlanta.

Wainwright stepped up and saved the bullpen with a dominant outing, which counted as his fourth straight quality start. It was also his second complete game of the year. The right-hander has a 3.74 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 84:25 K:BB across 86.2 innings this season. The 39-year-old lines up for a favorable home start versus Pittsburgh next week.

Smyly (4-3) won Game 2 of Sunday's 1-0 doubleheader against St. Louis, going 5.2 innings and allowing no runs on one hit and three walks with five strikeouts.

Smyly was excellent in this one and submitted his longest start in over a month, blanking a solid Cardinals team in the process. It was only Smyly's third start allowing zero or one run in 12 turns, though he's been decent since May aside from one blow-up outing. His upside is limited by his inability to pitch deep into games, though Smyly remains a decent streaming option.