MLB Player News

Manager Kevin Cash said that Eflin (back) will throw a light bullpen session Thursday and a "ramped-up bullpen session" Sunday before the Rays decide his next steps, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Cash noted that the Rays will wait and see how Eflin feels following Sunday's session, but if his lower-back injury isn't providing any complications, he could be cleared to return from the 15-day injured list next week. When Eflin was placed on the IL on May 20, Cash estimated that the right-hander would need 2-to-4 weeks to make a full recovery, and Eflin currently looks to be tracking toward the short end of that timeline.

Horton was removed Wednesday from his start with Triple-A Iowa due to right lat soreness, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Horton allowed two runs and recorded just three outs Wednesday before being lifted. The right-hander has been sent to Chicago to be examined. Horton has offered a mixed bag of results since being promoted to Iowa earlier this month, striking out 22 over 18 innings but also walking 11 and giving up 15 runs. Between the uneven recent results and the injury, it's unlikely the top prospect will be seen in the big leagues anytime soon.

Singer has been scratched from Thursday's scheduled start against the Twins due to illness.

Daniel Lynch was recalled from Triple-A Omaha and will start Thursday in Singer's place. It's possible Singer will be ready to make a start in the coming days, though it will depend on how he bounces back from the illness. Consider him day-to-day for the time being.

Springs (elbow/lat) threw long toss from 90 feet Thursday, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Springs was removed from his second rehab start in the rookie-level Florida Complex League this past Saturday due to lat soreness, but it's a good sign that he was able to resume throwing five days later. According to Ackert, Springs made about 45 throws Thursday with no apparent issues. It's not clear when the left-hander will be ready to resume a rehab assignment. Springs is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent last April.

Verlander did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's loss to the Mariners, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over seven innings while striking out nine.

Verlander got off to a great start, hurling 1-2-3 innings in three of the first four frames before surrendering a solo homer to Dominic Canzone in the fifth. The veteran right-hander would only allow a walk from that point on and managed to go seven innings for the third time in his last six starts. Verlander also matched his season high with nine strikeouts, which he also recorded in his previous start against the Athletics.

Alexander won't start Thursday's game against the Athletics but is expected to be deployed in bulk relief behind opener Shawn Armstrong.

Though he was roughed up for eight earned runs over five innings while working behind Armstrong in his last turn through the rotation May 24 versus the Royals, Alexander won't be used as a traditional starter Thursday and will instead enter the game after Armstrong once again. Despite the poor showing his last time out, Alexander has generally been reliable this season at the back end of the Tampa Bay rotation. In his seven outings prior to the blowup against the Royals, Alexander delivered a 4.30 ERA and 1.04 WHIP across 37.2 innings.

Kirby did not factor into the decision in a win over the Astros on Wednesday, allowing one run on six hits over six innings while striking out eight.

Kirby retired the first eight batters he faced to open the contest and didn't allow an extra-base hit over his six innings of work. The right-hander induced 15 swings and misses on the night en route to posting his highest strikeout total in his last six starts. He's now gone six or more innings in four consecutive outings, though he's posted quality starts in only two of those appearances. Kirby has also walked only two batters over six starts in May.

The Pirates optioned Jefferies to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Jefferies was up as the 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader in Detroit but didn't make an appearance. The right-hander will rejoin the rotation at Indianapolis, where he's allowed six runs with a 4:4 K:BB over six innings covering two starts since being acquired via trade from the Giants.

Anderson (5-5) got stuck with the loss against the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and six walks over five innings. He struck out four.

Anderson allowed three batters to reach base in each of the first two frames but somehow managed to pitch his way around it and avoid sustaining any damage. However, the lefty would finally cough up a run in the fourth after leaving a sinker up in the zone, which Alex Verdugo proceeded to crush over the wall in right field. Anderson issued a season-high six free passes on the night and has now walked multiple batters in three consecutive starts. Even with those walks, it was also the third straight outing in which he allowed only one run.

Gil (7-1) picked up the win Wednesday over the Angels, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out nine over eight frames.

Gil continued his fantastic start to the campaign Wednesday, allowing just one hit over the first six innings before surrendering a solo home run to Logan O'Hoppe in the seventh. The right-hander produced 15 whiffs on the night while posting at least eight strikeouts for the third consecutive outing. Gil has now logged six quality starts in a row and improved to 6-0 in May after the win over Los Angeles. Over that stretch, he carries a ridiculous 0.70 ERA to go along with a 44:12 K:BB. Wednesday also marked his longest outing of the season.