MLB Player News

Eflin struck out 10 and did not factor into the decision in Thursday's win over Angels. He allowed two runs on six hits and one walk over five innings.

Eflin reached the double-digit strikeout mark for the third time this year. He has an active steak of seven straight starts allowing three runs or fewer, dating back to Aug. 19. Over that span, Eflin is 3-1 with a 2.68 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 50:6 K:BB over 40.1 innings. The 29-year-old has shined in his first season in Tampa Bay with a 3.44 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 182:24 K:BB over 172.2 innings. Assuming the Rays stick to their standard rotation, his next outing -- potentially last of the season -- should be at Boston.

Canning did not factor into the decision in Thursday's loss to the Rays, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out seven.

Canning pitched well enough in his outing to be in line for a win until the Angels bullpen let the lead slip away. Since returning to the rotation Aug. 27, the 27-year-old has made five starts and has a 3.68 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 33:7 K:BB over 29.1 innings. Canning's next outing is currently scheduled to be at home against the Rangers, and it could be his final start of the campaign.

Rodriguez (back) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Pressreports.

Rodriguez was forced to exit his last start due to a back spasm, and he'll now test the issue to ensure he can take the mound Sunday against the Athletics. Manager A.J. Hinch suggested Rodriguez has fully recovered by saying that the team isn't "anticipating any problems."

Mikolas (7-13) took the loss Thursday, allowing five earned runs on nine hits and one walk over five innings against the Brewers. He struck out four.

Everything fell apart for Mikolas in the sixth inning, as he allowed four runs, capped by a Victor Caratini three-run homer, and departed without making an out. This was the 35-year-old's eighth straight start allowing three or more runs, dating back to Aug. 14. Over that span, he has a 7.24 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 23:11 K:BB over 46 innings. Mikolas has pitched to the tune of a 4.95 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 122:37 K:BB over 187.1 innings this season.

Miley (9-4) earned the win Thursday over the Cardinals, throwing six shutout innings with seven strikeouts in a 6-0 victory. He allowed three hits and two walks.

Miley stymied the Cardinals on Thursday, scattering just five baserunners across a marvelous six innings. He allowed only one extra base hit -- a double by Paul Goldschmidt in the first inning. The 13-year veteran easily had his best start since returning from an elbow injury Aug. 2. In nine starts since being activated, Miley has gone 3-2 with a 3.40 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 31:18 K:BB over 47.2 innings.

Boyle is listed as the Athletics' starting pitcher for Saturday's game against the Tigers in Oakland, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Boyle will receive another turn through Oakland's rotation after he struck out four over three scoreless innings in his first MLB start last Sunday against the Padres. He worked in tandem with Ken Waldichuk in his big-league debut, but with Waldichuk taking the hill for Friday's contest, Boyle could have the opportunity to make a more traditional start Saturday. Though the 24-year-old right-hander doesn't possess much of a pedigree as a prospect, he made plenty of bats miss between stops at the Double-A and Triple-A levels this season prior to his call-up, striking out 168 hitters over 117.1 innings.

Waldichuk is listed as the Athletics' starting pitcher for Friday's game against the Tigers in Oakland, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

In his most recent outing this past Sunday against the Padres, Waldichuik worked in tandem with starter Joe Boyle, with the former covering four innings to the latter's three. Both pitchers look as though they'll be part of the rotation against Detroit this weekend, as Boyle is listed as Oakland's starting pitcher for Saturday. The Athletics could change course and deploy an opening pitcher in front of Waldichuk, but either way, the 25-year-old southpaw is slated to cover the bulk of the innings Friday.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Thursday that Wells is a potential late-season call-up, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Wells has been working exclusively in relief for Triple-A Norfolk over the last month, and Hyde told reporters that his arsenal is experiencing an overall uptick in that role. The 29-year-old right-hander struggled his way out of the Orioles' major-league rotation in late July, but he could return as a fresh bullpen arm sometime during the final stretch of regular-season games.

Davis is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

After being called up from Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday, Davis worked out of the bullpen later that day in the Rockies' series finale with the Giants, tossing two scoreless innings. With both Kyle Freeland (oblique) and Peter Lambert (biceps) recently moving to the injured list, Davis looks like he'll get the chance to finish the season in the Colorado rotation. Prior to his call-up, Davis made a seven-inning start for Albuquerque on Sept. 13, so he should be sufficiently stretched out for Friday's game. Davis owns a 9.58 ERA, 2.03 WHIP and 18:10 K:BB over 20.2 innings across six appearances (four starts) for the big club this season.

Phillips is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Pirates at Great American Ball Park.

After striking out seven and limiting the Twins to two runs on three hits and one walk over seven innings in his most recent start Monday, Phillips looks like he'll stick in the Reds rotation over Ben Lively. With off days Thursday, Monday and next Thursday, the Reds look as though they'll be able to close out the regular season with a streamlined four-man rotation as they aim to chase down a wild-card spot. Assuming Phillips is able to hold his own in the matchup with the Pirates, he would line up for one final start the following weekend in St. Louis.