MLB Player News

Canning is in line to serve as a bulk reliever in Thursday's contest against the Blue Jays, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Canning has a 9.36 ERA and has surrendered nine home runs in 123 plate appearances in the first inning this season, so the Angels are trying something new with the right-hander. He will follow opener Brock Burke, who will presumably work an inning or two before giving way to Canning.

Eflin (shoulder) said Thursday that he expects to return from the 15-day injured list when first eligible on Sept. 1, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Eflin landed on the IL on Tuesday with right shoulder inflammation but said Thursday that he already feels "10 times better" and doesn't believe he will need any rehab starts before returning. The righty has not yet resumed throwing, so while his comments Thursday are encouraging, Eflin's return when first eligible can't be written down in ink just yet.

Matz (back) is expected to make one more minor-league rehab start prior to being activated from the 60-day injured list, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

On Wednesday, Matz made his third rehab start for Triple-A Memphis, striking out three batters in five innings and giving up four earned runs on nine hits and one walk while pushing his pitch count up to 85. Though Matz looks to be fully stretched out at this point, the Cardinals may want to see a sharper outing from the lefty before bringing him back from the IL. According to John Denton of MLB.com, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak previously floated the idea of the team using a six-man rotation down the stretch, though Matz could still find himself as the odd man out for a starting role once he's activated. Lance Lynn (knee) looks to be tracking toward a return from the IL around the same time as Matz, and current fifth starter Andre Pallante (3.81 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in five starts since the All-Star break) may be pitching well enough to keep his spot in the rotation.

The Orioles optioned Rogers to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

Baltimore obviously saw something in Rogers to the point that it surrendered a surprisingly hefty trade package to acquire him at the deadline, but the club has been unable to fix him. In fact, Rogers has been much worse for the Orioles than he had been with the Marlins this season, collecting a 7.11 ERA and 12:10 K:BB over 19 innings covering four starts since joining his new team. With Rogers out of the picture, Cole Irvin and Cade Povich will continue getting starts for the Orioles, at least until Zach Eflin (shoulder) and/or Grayson Rodriguez (lat) return from the injured list.

The Guardians optioned Cantillo to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.

While making his fourth start of the season for the Guardians on Wednesday against the Yankees, Cantillo was dealt a third consecutive loss after yielding seven earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five over four innings. Despite being optioned to Columbus, Cantillo could still be a candidate to get called up again Monday, when the Guardians will require two starting pitchers for a doubleheader with the Royals. However, with Cantillo now owning an 8.47 ERA and 1.76 WHIP through 17 innings with the big club, the Guardians could be compelled to go in a different direction.

Flaherty (10-5) picked up the win over the Mariners on Wednesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk over 5.2 innings while striking out five.

Flaherty hit Randy Arozarena with a pitch to lead off the second inning and the latter would eventually come around to score Seattle's first run on sac fly from Dominic Canzone. The right-hander then kept the Mariners off the board over the next three frames before allowing the first two men to reach in the sixth. Flaherty fell one out shy of his second quality start as a member of the Dodgers, but he did improve his streak of pitching at least five innings to 22 starts. He's gone 3-0 in four starts since being acquired by his new club, posting a 3.22 ERA over that stretch.

Gilbert (7-10) took the loss against the Dodgers on Wednesday, allowing eight runs (six earned) on seven hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out seven.

Gilbert retired the first eight batters he faced in the contest before a fielding error from Leo Rivas caused the first runner to reach for the Dodgers. The right-hander would then allow a two-run double to Mookie Betts before surrendering another six runs over the next two frames. It marked Gilbert's shortest outing this month after previously going at least six innings in three straight starts. He's now lost five of his last six starts, posting a 4.89 ERA over that stretch to go along with a 38:6 K:BB.

Thorpe (forearm) threw from 60 feet on Aug. 15, MLB.com reports.

The White Sox haven't provided many updates in regards to Thorpe's status, though he appears to be making progress. It's unclear if he'll be able to return this season, but if he does it would only be for a couple of starts.

Rodriguez came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 11-7 loss to the Reds, surrendering five runs on six hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out six.

The Blue Jays' offense handed Rodriguez a 6-0 lead through three innings, but the right-hander couldn't make it hold up. He got the hook after 87 pitches (51 strikes), and he's failed to complete five innings in three of his last five trips to the mound, stumbling to a 5.75 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB through 20.1 innings over that stretch. Toronto came into the season expecting to have to monitor Rodriguez's workload after he didn't pitch at all in 2023 and handled a relief role in Japan the three years prior, and while injuries have limited him to only 80 innings so far in 2024 between Triple-A Buffalo and the majors, he could be running out of gas.

Feltner (shoulder) allowed five runs (three earned) over 2.2 innings in his first rehab start with Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday.

Feltner has missed most of August with a right shoulder strain but looks to be nearing a return. He got his pitch count up to just 49 in Wednesday's outing, so it's possible the Rockies will want him to make one more appearance before re-inserting the right-hander into their rotation.