MLB Player News

Lugo (shoulder) completed a 26-pitch bullpen session Wednesday and may be activated off the injured list Thursday or Friday, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Lugo was originally expected to require two bullpens plus a live batting practice session before returning, but apparently Wednesday's bullpen went well enough to shorten his return timeline. The 29-year-old landed on the 10-day IL with right shoulder tendinitis May 20, so Thursday would be the first day he is eligible to return.

Lyles (hamstring) said he expects to make his next scheduled start Sunday against the Brewers, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Lyles exited Tuesday's game against the Reds with left hamstring discomfort, but it doesn't sound like the issue will force him to miss a turn through the rotation after he was able to play catch with no issues Wednesday. Despite the right-hander's optimism, the Pirates will likely wait and see how Lyles responds to a bullpen later in the week before confirming his status for Sunday's start.

Castillo is scheduled to start Tuesday against the Cardinals, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

Castillo was originally expected to get the ball for Sunday's series finale against the Nationals, but Sonny Gray will make that start instead. The young right-hander should benefit from some extra rest before his next outing; over his last two starts, Castillo has allowed seven runs (six earned) on 11 hits with a 6:7 K:BB in eight innings.

Williams (side) has resumed throwing, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Williams, who has been sidelined since mid-May with a right side strain, has apparently stretched out to 105 feet and is throwing off a slope. While this is encouraging progress for the right-hander, a timeline for his return likely won't come into focus until he's further along in his throwing program.

Lyles (hamstring) played catch Wednesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

This is an encouraging sign after Lyles was lifted from Tuesday's game against the Reds with left hamstring discomfort. Still, it remains to be seen whether the right-hander will be ready to make his next scheduled start Sunday against the Brewers.

Houser tossed a scoreless inning out of the bullpen in Tuesday's loss to the Twins.

May has been a good month for Houser, who has allowed just two earned runs over 13.1 innings (1.35 ERA) while posting a 1.05 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB. He is not working in a role that is friendly for fantasy players, and is at risk of being sent down at any point given he has already been optioned this year, but it's possible both things could change if he keeps throwing like he has of late.

Paddack (neck) has been cleared to start Wednesday's game against the Yankees in New York.

He'll be taking the hill on eight days' rest after a sore neck prevented him from making his previously scheduled start Sunday in Toronto. Paddack will draw a tougher matchup as a result of being pushed back in the pitching schedule, but it's not expected that he'll face any restrictions in his return to action.

Hill pitched well but did not factor into the decision against the Mets on Tuesday, tossing six innings and allowing two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out six.

The crafty veteran was on his game most of the night, throwing 76 of his 104 pitches for strikes, but was matched by an effective outing from fellow lefty Steven Matz. Since a subpar appearance against Washington on May 9, Hill has thrown three straight quality starts, giving up only three runs while striking out 23 batters in 18 innings in that stretch. He'll carry a 2.73 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 37:6 K:BB into his next scheduled start against Philadelphia on Sunday.

Matz (4-3) took the win versus the Dodgers on Tuesday, tossing six innings and giving up two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out six.

Matz exited the game locked in a 2-2 tie but was rewarded for his efforts with a win after the Mets scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning. He gave up a mammoth home run to MVP frontrunner Cody Bellinger in the third inning but otherwise managed to keep the Dodgers off the scoreboard to earn his first victory since the end of April. The lefty leads all Mets starters with a 3.55 ERA in spite of a mediocre 1.34 WHIP. He'll face the Diamondbacks on Sunday in his next scheduled start.

Kelly (4-6) allowed four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out five over 6.2 innings, taking the loss in a 6-2 defeat at the hands of the Rockies on Tuesday.

Kelly has now allowed 18 runs over his last 24.2 innings, for a 6.57 ERA over that span. The rookie has a 4.83 ERA and 1.49 WHIP through his first 11 starts, with 45 strikeouts over 59.2 innings. Kelly is expected to start Sunday at home versus the Mets.