MLB Player News

Eflin (lat) threw from 120 feet Sunday and said he feels great, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Eflin was placed on the injured list April 9 due to a low-grade right lat strain, but he appears to be making good progress in his recovery. The right-hander has expressed optimism that his absence will be short, though it's not yet clear if he'll need a rehab assignment once he's cleared to resume pitching in games. Eflin is expected to throw a bullpen soon as the next step in his ramp-up, per Kubatko.

Giolito (hamstring) will make his fourth minor-league rehab start Sunday with Double-A Portland and is expected to require an additional rehab start after that before being activated from the 15-day injured list, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

The right-hander began his rehab stint by allowing just one run over 5.2 frames across his first two starts, but he was tagged for three runs over two innings his last time out Tuesday. He's struggled with his control so far, logging a 9:7 K:BB across his 7.2 frames. Boston is expected to get Brayan Bello (shoulder) back from the IL on Tuesday, making Giolito's return slightly less urgent, though Kutter Crawford (knee) and Richard Fitts (pectoral) also remain on the shelf and with unclear timelines to return.

The Nationals recalled Lara from Triple-A Rochester to serve as the 27th man for Sunday's doubleheader against the Rockies.

The 22-year-old will provide some bullpen depth for the Nationals in the twin bill before likely returning to Rochester. Lara has struggled in his first taste of the Triple-A level this year with 12 earned runs allowed and a 7:8 K:BB over 11.2 innings.

Leiter (finger) will make a rehab start with Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Leiter landed on the injured list April 4 due to a blister on his right middle finger and is already eligible for activation, but he'll get in at least one rehab outing before rejoining the Rangers' rotation. The right-hander started the season strongly before the blister popped up, as he allowed just one earned run and posted a 10:1 K:BB over 10 innings across his first two starts, each of which resulted in a win. If Leiter's rehab start Tuesday goes well, he could be back in the major-league rotation as soon as next Sunday against San Francisco, per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News.

The Marlins designated Monteverde for assignment Sunday.

The 27-year-old was added to the big-league roster and allowed four earned runs over 3.2 frames in his MLB debut Saturday, but he won't retain his place on the 26-man and 40-man rosters. Cade Gibson was called up to replace Monteverde in Miami's bullpen.

Bello (shoulder) is expected to be activated from the injured list early next week and start against Seattle on Tuesday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

This falls in line with recent comments by Red Sox manager Alex Cora that Bello's Double-A start this past Wednesday would be his last. Over four starts during his minor-league rehab assignment, Bello pitched to a poor 7.07 ERA and 1.57 WHIP, but he posted an excellent 21:4 K:BB over 14 innings and worked up to 71 pitches in his most recent appearance. Bello could be on a pitch count of some sort in his season debut, as he didn't log any game action during spring training.

The Orioles optioned Young to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.

Young got his first MLB call-up and made his big-league debut Saturday against the Reds. He got the start and yielded three runs over four innings, but he'll now rejoin Norfolk's rotation. The Orioles recalled righty Cody Poteet from Triple-A to take Young's roster spot, though it could be veteran Kyle Gibson, who is ramping up in the minors with a start Sunday, who gets the next open spot in Baltimore's rotation Friday against Detroit, per Jake Rill of MLB.com.

The Reds placed Spiers on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right shoulder impingement, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

The 27-year-old was called up Friday and was scheduled to start Sunday in place of Nick Lodolo (paternity), but Hunter Greene's short outing Saturday resulted in Spiers covering four frames out of the bullpen. The right-hander apparently tweaked his shoulder while giving up four runs, so he'll be sidelined for at least the next couple weeks. Randy Wynne was selected to the MLB roster Sunday and could provide some length behind opener Brent Suter against the Orioles.

King didn't factor in the decision Saturday against the Astros after giving up two runs on four hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out seven.

The right-hander cruised through five frames but ran into trouble in the sixth, when Christian Walker launched a two-out, two-run homer to tie the game 2-2 and end King's evening. The 29-year-old was unable to pick up his fourth consecutive victory, but it was still another productive performance on the road. After allowing three runs over 2.2 frames in his season debut, King has a 1.07 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 28:6 K:BB in his past four starts.

Wesneski gave up two runs on six hits with four strikeouts and a walk over five innings during Saturday's 3-2 win against the Padres. He did not factor in the decision.

The right-hander exited in line for the loss, but the Astros offense came alive in the sixth and seventh innings to flip the script. Wesneski has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his first four starts of the season, though he has surrendered six long balls. He'll take a 3.91 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 25:4 K:BB into a matchup with the Royals next weekend.