MLB Player News

Eflin did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing three runs on four hits and a walk over six innings against the Cubs. He struck out five.

Eflin settled down after allowing two runs in the first inning, blanking the Cubs over his subsequent five frames before surrendering a leadoff double to Seiya Suzuki in the seventh. It's the third consecutive quality start for Eflin, who's pitched at least six innings in his last six outings. He's 7-1 with a 3.30 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 57:8 K:BB through 10 starts (60 innings) this season.

Schultz (forearm) is set to make his pro debut with Low-A Kannapolis on Friday, James Fox of FutureSox reports.

Schultz has been working his way back from a forearm strain suffered in spring training but has reportedly looked terrific during workouts in Arizona. It's an aggressive assignment considering Schultz won't turn 20 until August and has not yet made an appearance in affiliated ball, but it's one which points to how highly the White Sox think of the young hurler.

Lynn (4-6) took the loss Wednesday, allowing eight runs on eight hits and two walks over four innings against the Angels. He struck out four.

Lynn gave up three home runs in the losing effort, including a pair of two-run shots to Shohei Ohtani. The 36-year-old Lynn had been pitching better coming into Wednesday's outing, logging three consecutive quality starts with a 1.89 ERA in that span. His ERA is now up to 6.55 with a 1.51 WHIP and 76:26 K:BB through 12 starts (67.1 innings) this season. Lynn will look to get back on track in his next outing, currently lined up for next week against the Yankees.

Cubs manager David Ross said Steele will undergo an MRI on his left forearm Thursday, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Ross had no other information, and the MRI might just be precautionary, but there's an ominous feeling to this situation after Steele was forced from his start Wednesday afternoon against the Rays due to forearm tightness. He had thrown three perfect frames prior to his departure, lowering his season ERA to 2.65. If the 27-year-old southpaw requires a stint on the 15-day injured list -- which seems likely even if the MRI is clean -- Hayden Wesneski would be a good bet to fill the vacant rotation spot.

Wentz did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing a run on seven hits and a walk over 4.1 innings against Texas. He struck out five.

Wentz had allowed 11 runs over six innings in his last two starts, so Wednesday's performance against a potent Rangers offense was a step in the right direction. Still, Wentz was lucky to escape with just one run allowed, as he surrendered seven hits on 11 hard-hit balls in just 4.1 frames. The 25-year-old left-hander is 1-5 this season with a 7.28 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 40:17 K:BB through 47 innings. Despite his struggles, Wentz will likely continue starting for the Tigers while they face a litany of injuries in their rotation.

Dunning (4-1) took the loss Wednesday, allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk over five innings against Detroit. He struck out six.

It's the first time in five starts that Dunning has allowed more than two runs. Still, the 28-year-old Dunning has been excellent since filling in for Jacob deGrom (elbow) in Texas' rotation, pitching to a 2.06 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP and 32:11 K:BB through 32.2 innings this season. He's tentatively lined up to face the Cardinals at home in his next outing.

Woodford (shoulder) is slated for a second rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Memphis, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Woodford gave up two earned runs on three hits and one walk over two innings Tuesday in his rehab debut with Memphis. He threw only 37 pitches in that outing and will technically be pitching on short rest (for a starter) in this next one, so it's becoming fairly clear that the Cardinals intend to bring him back as a long reliever. The 26-year-old has been on the injured list since May 5 due to right shoulder inflammation.

Steele was removed from Wednesday's game against the Rays due to left forearm tightness, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The Cubs likely won't have a return timeline available for Steele until he undergoes further testing on his forearm, but based on the initial diagnosis, he'll almost certainly be headed for the 15-day injured list. Before he was visited on the mound by manager David Ross and a team trainer in the third inning, Steele was cruising through his 12th start of the season, as he retired all nine batters he faced on 29 pitches. Hayden Wesneski came on in bulk relief to replace Steele and would likely be the top candidate to enter the rotation in the event that Steele winds up on the IL.

Quintana (ribs) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Monday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

It will be his first time facing live hitters since he underwent bone-graft surgery on his rib cage in March. If all goes well in that live BP workout, Quintana could advance to a minor-league rehab assignment soon after. The veteran left-hander signed a two-year, $26 million contract with the Mets over the offseason and appears on track to make his official debut for the club sometime before the end of June.

Steele was removed from his start Wednesday versus the Rays due to an apparent injury, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Steele received a visit on the mound from Cubs manager David Ross and trainer Nick Frangella in the top of the third inning and didn't return from the dugout to begin the top of the fourth. He had thrown three perfect frames on 29 pitches -- 19 strikes -- so his departure was almost certainly related to an injury or an illness. Expect the Cubs to provide an update on Steele's situation shortly.