MLB Player News

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that Gallen (hamstring) won't start Friday as scheduled in an effort to provide him extra rest, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

The right-hander was originally set to start Wednesday, but Tuesday's starter Jordan Montgomery was pushed back a day since the start time was delayed two hours. Gallen apparently isn't having any issues with the hamstring injury that surfaced in his previous start, but Lovullo has still decided to give his ace some extra rest. The earliest Gallen will take the mound is Sunday versus the Padres, but it's possible he gets some additional time, as team off days Thursday and Monday give Arizona some flexibility.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that everything went well during Steele's (hamstring) rehab start with Triple-A Iowa, and the left-hander will meet with the team Friday after a Thursday workout, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The 28-year-old hurt his hamstring in late March, but he's in the latter stages of his rehab program. It was only the first rehab outing for Steele, but if he checks out well Friday it's possible his next start comes with the big-league club.

Ober (3-1) earned the win Wednesday over the White Sox, allowing four runs on six hits while striking out three over six innings.

After allowing two runs in the opening frame, Ober settled in to hold Chicago to just two more runs over his final five innings en route to a third consecutive winning decision. The four runs were the most Ober's allowed since he was tagged for eight runs in his first start of the year against Kansas City -- he'd held opponents to two runs or fewer in each of his subsequent four outings. Overall, the 28-year-old right-hander sports a 4.55 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP and 28:7 K:BB through 31.2 innings this season. Ober's currently slated for a home matchup with the Mariners in his next turn.

Reds manager David Bell said Tuesday that he expects Montas (forearm) to return from the 15-day injured list when first eligible May 7 or the day after, MLB.com reports.

Montas was placed on the IL on April 22 with a bruised right forearm, which he sustained when he was struck by a line drive in his start a day earlier. Bell noted that Montas threw a side session Monday without issue, and the right-hander will throw one more bullpen session later this week as a final test of his health. If all goes well, Montas should rejoin the rotation for the Reds' three-game series with the Diamondbacks that begins next Tuesday.

Urquidy (forearm) threw live batting practice before Wednesday's game against Cleveland, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Urquidy was able to throw 30 pitches without any problems during Wednesday's session. The 29-year-old righty will likely throw one more round of BP before embarking on a rehab assignment in the minors, though it's unclear when that might happen.

Walston was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

Walston didn't make the cut for Arizona's Opening Day roster, but he will get a chance to play with the team after five years in the minors. The lefty pitcher has logged a 4.79 ERA and 1.88 WHIP over 20.2 innings in five games played with the Reno Aces so far this year. The 22-year-old will be making his major-league debut when he gets into a game and could work in long relief since he's pitched out of Reno's rotation.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Cole had a "heavy day" of throwing off flat ground Tuesday, but the skipper is unsure when the right-hander will be ready to throw a bullpen session, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Cole has been playing catch multiple times per week for about two weeks while steadily increasing his throwing distance. He hasn't hit any reported snags in his recovery since resuming his throwing program, but it's not yet clear when Cole will be able to take the next meaningful step forward in his recovery from his right elbow injury by getting back on the mound. Boone also declined to speculate if a return before the All-Star break is realistic for Cole, who is eligible to be activated May 27 after opening the season on the 60-day injured list.

Bello (lat) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

It's his first time throwing off a mound since he was shut down last week with right lat tightness. Bello could throw a two-inning simulated game next, with a rehab outing potentially being on the docket for next Tuesday. If Bello needs just one rehab start, he could be in line to return from the 15-day injured list as soon as May 12.

Eflin (1-4) took the loss Wednesday against the Brewers, allowing three runs on six hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out six.

Eflin allowed a two-run double to William Contreras in the third inning before allowing a solo homer to Willy Adames in the sixth. The 30-year-old Eflin has now been stuck with a loss in consecutive starts -- he's allowed seven earned runs over 11.2 innings in that span. Eflin's ERA is now up to 4.17 with a 1.17 WHIP and 36:4 K:BB in seven starts this year. He'll look to get back on track in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week against the White Sox.

The Giants recalled Jefferies from Triple-A Sacramento prior to Wednesday's game against the Red Sox in Boston.

Left-hander Erik Miller is slated to open the game for the Giants, but he's unlikely to work more than an inning or two before turning the game over to the bullpen. According to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area, Jefferies is expected to cover the bulk of the innings out of the bullpen as he makes his first appearance for the Giants since giving up five earned runs over two innings in a spot start back on March 31 in San Diego. The Giants optioned Landen Roupp to Triple-A to clear room on the 26-man active roster for Jefferies.