MLB Player News

Eflin (5-2) grabbed the win Friday over the Nationals, working five innings and allowing two runs, six hits and one walk with five strikeouts.

Eflin is mowing down the competition over his last four starts, in which he's 4-0 with a 2.28 ERA, 22 strikeouts and four walks in 23.2 innings. He peppered the zone with 64 strikes in 97 pitches in this one. He's quietly enjoying a breakout with a 3.44 ERA, 9.2 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 in 49.2 frames, and the skills seem to be backing up his recent success. The right-hander might be hard-pressed to sustain this at home Wednesday against the Yankees, though.

Darvish (triceps) had a productive bullpen session Friday and, if he feels OK on Saturday, might head out on a minor-league rehab assignment, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

The right-hander will likely require at least one turn in a farm rotation. If all goes well, Darvish might be back for the Cubs' home series with the Twins that starts June 29.

Kershaw (back) will forego a rehab assignment and return from the 10-day DL to start against the Mets on Saturday, Andy McCullough of The Los Angeles Times reports.

With the potential for rain in Omaha where Triple-A Oklahoma City is set to play this weekend, the Dodgers elected to refrain from sending Kershaw down to the minors for a final tune-up. The left-hander recently tossed a three-inning simulated game and was aiming for a return this weekend before the organization originally decided on the one-game rehab outing. Looking ahead, don't expect Kershaw to last too long during Saturday's affair, as the Dodgers are planning on limiting his pitch count with Caleb Ferguson waiting in the bullpen, per David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports. Kershaw last appeared against the Phillies on May 31, allowing one earned run on four hits and one walk while striking out five across five innings.

Soroka's MRI result revealed no tears or structural damage, but he admitted to feeling fatigue in his shoulder and a lack of arm speed against Toronto on Tuesday, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Soroka was placed on the disabled list retroactive to Wednesday due to right rotator-cuff inflammation. There still has yet to be any sort of timetable announced for the 20-year-old's return to the mound, though it's unlikely he will need an extended period of time on the shelf after receiving good news from Friday's tests. In his absence, Brandon McCarthy has rejoined the Braves' rotation and will pitch Sunday while Mike Foltynewicz (triceps) is set to return from the DL on Monday.

Urena was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a right shoulder impingement, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Urena suffered the injury during his start Wednesday against the Giants. There's no timetable yet for his return, but the right-hander will be eligible to rejoin the roster July 1 if he only requires a brief stay on the shelf. In a corresponding move, Nick Wittgren (finger) was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list. Expect an update on Urena's status this weekend.

Strasburg (shoulder) played catch in the outfield prior to Washington's game Friday, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

This marked just the second time Strasburg was seen throwing the ball after hitting the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation two weeks ago. The 29-year-old still remains without a concrete timetable, but one should come into focus once he begins increasing his activity level and throwing with velocity.

Darvish (triceps) is expected to embark on a rehab assignment Monday if all goes according to plan during his bullpen session prior to Friday's game against Cincinnati, Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com reports.

Darvish threw a pain-free 50-pitch simulated game Wednesday and will ramp up his efforts in the days to come as he continues to work back from a triceps injury. The right-hander is expected to require just the one rehab outing, so he could be back in action with the Cubs next weekend.

The Braves placed Soroka on the 10-day disabled list Friday with right shoulder inflammation.

Soroka made his return from the disabled list June 13, but struggled through 4.2 innings Tuesday and is apparently still dealing with the inflammation that sidelined him for a month. The severity of the injury remains unclear at this point, and the Braves could simply be using an otherwise minor issue as an excuse to limit the youngster's workload this season, but the 20-year-old will be eligible to return for next Saturday's game at St. Louis.

Farrell could start Saturday's game against the Reds if he isn't used out of the bullpen Friday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon said that the team wouldn't name a starter for Saturday until after Friday's contest is completed, but Farrell looks to be a leading candidate to fill the opening in the rotation, which was created by Tuesday's doubleheader against the Dodgers. Though Farrell has been used exclusively out of the bullpen in his 12 appearances with the big club, he logged five innings in long relief June 2 and previously made five starts at Triple-A Iowa, so he should be sufficiently stretched out. If Farrell is bypassed for Saturday's starting nod, Iowa hurler Alec Mills, who hasn't pitched since June 17, could be promoted to fill the void.

Wacha (oblique) is expected to be out multiple weeks after an MRI revealed a "moderate" strain, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

The Cardinals sent Wacha for an MRI after placing him on the disabled list earlier Thursday. The multi-week timetable puts Wacha's status up to the All-Star break in question, meaning that the Cardinals' thinned-out rotation is taking another significant blow. John Gant was recalled Thursday and could start in Wacha's place Monday.