MLB Player News

Lugo (elbow) is expected to begin a rehab assignment in approximately a week, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Lugo underwent surgery in mid-February to remove a loose body from his right elbow. He'd previously been expected back in mid-May, though it now looks as though a late-May return is more likely. Exactly when that happens will depend in part on how his rehab outings go.

Syndergaard (elbow) is expected to begin a rehab assignment in approximately one week, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Syndergaard continues making steady progress in his return from Tommy John surgery, a procedure he underwent back in March of last year. He remains on track to return to the big-league roster in mid-June.

Burnes (undisclosed) will rejoin his teammates Monday and will throw a bullpen session that day with an eye towards being activated from the COVID-19 injured list later in the week, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Burnes' dominant start to the season was interrupted by a trip to the injured list for unspecified reasons in late April. His exact return date remains unclear, but he should start sometime next week and will look to build on an incredible start which has seen him post a 1.53 ERA, 0.55 WHIP and 49:0 K:BB through five starts.

DeGrom (lat) looks set to start Sunday's game against Arizona, though the Mets are still holding back from officially confirming him, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Lat inflammation scratched deGrom from his scheduled start Tuesday against the Cardinals, but it doesn't look as though he'll have to miss more than one turn in the rotation. He played catch Thursday and threw a bullpen session Friday, getting through both without issues, so he should make his Sunday start unless the inflammation suddenly returns.

Gausman was activated off the COVID-19 injured list as expected ahead of his scheduled Saturday start against San Diego.

Gausman landed on the injured list Tuesday while recovering from the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine, but the timing meant he didn't have to miss a single start. He's had a strong start to the season, giving up one or fewer runs in five of his first six starts, including six innings of one-run ball against these same Padres in his last outing.

The Marlins are hopeful that Sanchez (shoulder) could return in June, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Sanchez recently increased his throwing distance off flat ground to 105 feet, and he should progress to 120 feet in the near future. The right-hander could resume mound work after that, but he'll likely require several weeks to ramp up before he's cleared to make his 2021 debut.

Morton (2-2) took the loss Friday in a 12-2 rout at the hands of the Phillies, coughing up six unearned runs on four hits and two walks over only two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one.

A William Contreras passed ball on a Rhys Hoskins strikeout allowed the Philly first baseman to get aboard, and Morton seemed to unravel after that. The right-hander finally exited the game after he walked Zach Eflin. The Contreras gaffe saved Morton's ERA, but he isn't giving Atlanta the length and consistency it was hoping for when it signed him in the offseason. He'll carry a 4.98 ERA and 40:14 K:BB through 34.1 innings, numbers right in line with last year's performance for Tampa Bay, into his next outing.

Kelly will start Saturday's game against the Mets, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Kelly spent three days on the injured list for COVID-related protocols and was activated Friday. He'll be followed in the rotation by Riley Smith (Sunday) and Luke Weaver (Monday).

Eflin (2-2) picked up the win in Friday's 12-2 rout of Atlanta, giving up two runs on five hits and a walk over 6.2 innings. He struck out eight.

The Phillies jumped out to a 6-0 lead before the right-hander even took the mound, making for a relatively stress-free night for Eflin. He tossed 64 of 99 pitches for strikes en route to his fifth quality start of the season, and the 27-year-old has lasted at least six innings in every one of his seven outings. He'll take a 3.38 ERA and stellar 42:3 K:BB through 45.1 innings into his next start.

Rogers (4-2) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over five innings in a 6-1 victory over the Brewers. He struck out six.

The young southpaw continues to shine. Rogers tossed 53 of 90 pitches for strikes, and he's fanned at least six batters in every one of his seven starts to begin the season. The 23-year-old will carry a dazzling 1.89 ERA and 50:15 K:BB through 38 innings into his next outing.