MLB Player News

Eflin (back) is scheduled to throw a four-inning, 60-pitch simulated game Thursday, which could determine his status for the first turn through the rotation, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old has been battling back spasms during summer camp, but he may not miss any regular-season action if Thursday's sim game goes smoothly. If all goes well, Eflin lines up to start Tuesday against the Yankees, though he likely would have a limited workload. Nick Pivetta should be next in line to start if Eflin isn't ready, since Spencer Howard was already transferred to the team's alternate training site.

Velasquez will start Sunday's series finale against the Marlins, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

The 28-year-old had yet to be confirmed as a member of the Phillies' starting rotation, but he'll take the mound in the final game of the opening series. Velasquez has been up and down over the past few seasons and posted a 4.91 ERA and 1.39 WHIP last season, but he's performed well in summer camp and may benefit from the change in the team's pitching coach this offseason.

Wheeler is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Marlins after his wife Dominque gave birth to a healthy boy earlier this week, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

The 30-year-old's availability for the start of the season has remained up in the air throughout summer training due to the impending birth of the couple's first child, but he won't end up missing any starts. Wheeler was previously expected to miss two turns through the rotation while on paternity leave, but he'll instead begin the season as the No. 2 starter with no expected interruptions on the horizon. The right-hander had a 3.96 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 195:50 K:BB over 195.1 innings with the Mets last season before signing a five-year, $118 million deal with the Phillies in December.

Matz will start Saturday against the Braves, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Matz will serve on the front end of the Mets' starting rotation to begin the season after Marcus Stroman (calf) was placed on the injured list Wednesday. The southpaw drew positive reviews from manager Luis Rojas about his performance during camp. Matz made 32 appearances (30 starts) for the Mets last season, posting a 4.21 ERA and 1.34 WHIP over 160.1 innings.

Stroman was placed on the injured list Wednesday with a muscle tear in his left calf, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

This news comes after Stroman reported feeling tightness in his calf earlier in the week. According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, manager Luis Rojas said it's a "week-to-week" issue, and the right-hander isn't expected to require surgery. David Peterson is a candidate to take Stroman's place in the rotation for the time being.

Stroman is dealing with calf tightness and may not be able to make his first start, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

Stroman lines up as the Mets' second starter behind Jacob deGrom, which would have him set to pitch against Atlanta on Saturday. David Peterson could be the top alternative if he's unable to make that appearance.

Manager Craig Counsell said that Peralta will start the Brewers' third game of the season Sunday against the Cubs, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Just a few days earlier, Peralta looked on track to make his 2020 debut next week in Pittsburgh, but Brett Anderson's (finger) move to the injured list resulted in the former being moved up in the pitching schedule. According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Counsell told the media to not "get stuck" on traditional starting roles, so Peralta won't necessarily be guaranteed turns through the rotation every fifth day, nor can he be counted on to push toward 100 pitches in each start. Over his 22 career MLB starts, the 24-year-old has posted a 5.27 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 11.3 K/9.

Houser will start Monday's game in Pittsburgh, Sophia Minnaert of Fox Sports Wisconsin reports.

It originally seemed like he'd line up for Tuesday's start, but Houser will now presumably get a two-start week, with the second turn coming at home against the Cardinals.

Houser lines up to start Tuesday in Pittsburgh, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

This is somewhat surprising, as Houser seemed like a logical candidate to start this weekend against the Cubs. He will get a better matchup against the Pirates, and should line up for a two-start week the following week.

Peralta lines up to start Sunday in Chicago, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

He pitched Tuesday while Josh Lindblom pitches Wednesday, so that confirms the order of the Brewers' rotation. Peralta has a 5.27 ERA, 4.23 FIP, 1.31 WHIP, 29 percent strikeout rate and a 10.6 percent walk rate in 109.1 innings as a starter. He has had some spectacular starts when he is commanding his fastball, but has also been susceptible to short outings. If he struggles early, Brett Anderson (blister) or Eric Lauer (COVID-19) could step into the rotation once they are physically ready.