MLB Player News

Smyly (elbow) expects to start a minor-league rehab assignment near the end of July, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Smyly stated that he's worked up to three frames in simulated games, so he's making steady progress on his way back from Tommy John surgery. Smyly went under the knife in June of 2017. If he can begin a rehab assignment by the end of the month, the 29-year-old has a chance to come off the disabled list sometime in August.

Syndergaard (finger) tossed five innings of one-run ball for short-season Brooklyn in his rehab start Sunday against Staten Island. He gave up two hits and a walk and struck out seven.

It's hard to take away much from the results of a game in which Syndergaard mostly faced players with less than a year of professional experience, but the fact that he displayed his usual velocity -- his fastball topped out at 98 miles per hour -- and logged 71 pitches (46 strikes) hints that he could be ready to rejoin the Mets before the All-Star break. A decision on Syndergaard's next step likely won't be made until he completes a bullpen session in front of the team brass, but it looks like he could be an option for the Mets' weekend series with the Nationals. Prior to hitting the 10-day disabled list, Syndergaard posted a 3.06 ERA and 76 strikeouts over 64.2 innings.

Darvish (shoulder) played catch Monday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

It's a step in the right direction for Darvish, who has now resumed throwing after being shut down with a shoulder impingement he suffered while rehabbing from a triceps injury. The pair of injuries will likely end up keeping him out for over two months, as he last pitched May 20 and will almost certainly not return until after the All-Star break as he still has to build his arm strength back up. The Cubs will likely want to be extra cautious with Darvish as he has a fairly lengthy injury history and the team invested $126 million in him over the offseason.

Woodruff hasn't pitched since making an abbreviated start at Triple-A Colorado Springs on July 2 and is expected to be held out of action until after the Triple-A All-Star break concludes July 12, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Woodruff isn't dealing with any physical issue, as the Brewers have decided to hold him out for at least a week and a half in part to manage his innings count this season. The right-hander has previously made four starts for the big club this season, but he was passed over for a promotion this past weekend when a fifth starter was required, with Aaron Wilkerson receiving the nod instead. The Brewers will require another starter for one half of a doubleheader July 14 against the Pirates, but Wilkerson may retain an edge over Woodruff for a callup.

Velasquez (forearm) is expected to start Wednesday against the Mets, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Velasquez hit the disabled list after taking a liner off his right forearm in his previous start. He'll wind up missing just one start, barring setbacks.

Rucinski was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right groin strain Monday, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

If Rucinski misses the minimum amount of time, he could return immediately following the All-Star break, though the severity of his injury is not yet clear. Javy Guerra's contract was selected in a corresponding move.

Flexen was sent down to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Flexen was up for just one start and failed to impress, allowing five runs in three innings Sunday against the Rays. He'll be replaced by P.J. Conlon. Flexen could earn more opportunities down the line for the struggling Mets, but with an 8.45 ERA and a 39:41 K:BB in 54.1 career major-league innings, he's unlikely to be a useful fantasy asset.

Conlon was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Conlon has made a pair of starts for the Mets this season, struggling to a 11.12 ERA and failing to get out of the fourth inning in either game. He's up to take the place of starter Chris Flexen, though whether or not he'll be a member of the Mets' rotation is unclear, with Drew Gagnon set to join the rotation and start Tuesday. Conlon's role could be determined by the availability of Noah Syndergaard (finger), who may or may not be ready to return before the All-Star break.

Greene lasted just three innings in his start Saturday for Low-A Dayton and gave up five runs on five hits and a walk while striking out three.

After striking out a career-high 10 batters in his last outing July 2, Greene took a step back Saturday in what was his shortest outing since early May. It was at least encouraging that in a poor start, Greene only issued one free pass and allowed two extra-base hits. Greene is now sitting on a 4.69 ERA and 80:20 K:BB over 63.1 innings at Dayton, numbers that look more impressive after accounting for the fact that he's just 18 years old.

Teheran (illness) will start Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays.

Following his July 4 loss to the Yankees in New York, Teheran was sent back to Atlanta after falling victim to the flu. It appears that all Teheran needed was a few days of rest for his condition to improve, so it's not expected that he'll face any limitations Tuesday in what likely shapes up as a two-start week for the right-hander. Since Max Fried (blister) was placed on the 10-day disabled list over the weekend and doesn't seem on track to return prior to the All-Star break, the Braves could get by with a four-man rotation this week thanks to off days Monday and Thursday. Teheran's second start would come Sunday at home against the Diamondbacks in the Braves' final game of the first half.