MLB Player News

Eflin (kneecap) will report to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to begin a rehab assignment Friday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

The 28-year-old will start Friday for the IronPigs but is expected to operate in a relief capacity since he's returning to the Phillies as a bullpen option. Eflin started 13 games before he suffered the injury in late June and had a 4.37 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 56:15 K:BB over 68 innings.

Ynoa underwent Tommy John surgery Wednesday to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow.

The 24-year-old hadn't pitched for Triple-A Gwinnett since Aug. 24, though no injury had been reported prior to the surgery announcement from Atlanta on Wednesday. Ynoa will miss the rest of the season and is also likely to be sidelined for the entirety of 2023.

Matz (knee) is scheduled to make his second rehab appearance Friday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

St. Louis is planning on bringing Matz (knee) back from the 15-day injured list later this month as a reliever, but he's still expected to get stretched out enough during his rehab assignment to handle multiple innings as needed out of the bullpen. Denton notes that Matz is expected to work into the third inning of Friday's outing after he struck out three while allowing no hits and three walks in 1.1 scoreless innings for Double-A Springfield on Tuesday. The appearance with Springfield was just his second in the majors or minors since the All-Star break.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that Lyles (illness) could be ready to rejoin the rotation for this weekend's series with Boston, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.

Just one day earlier, Hyde said that Lyles, who was scratched ahead of his start during Monday's doubleheader with the Blue Jays, was without a clear timeline to return. That notion was seemingly supported by the Orioles announcing three other pitchers as their probable starters this weekend, but Baltimore changed those plans Wednesday, when Spenser Watkins was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Watkins' demotion seemingly signals more confidence in the health of Lyles, who is still working through a stomach virus but felt well enough to rejoin the Orioles on Wednesday. Lyles could try to throw again Thursday, and if all goes well, he could be cleared to start Saturday, which had been Watkins' day to pitch.

Lauer (10-7), who took the loss Wednesday against the Rockies, was diagnosed with a left elbow strain and will miss at least one start, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The left-hander surrendered seven runs over 2.2 frames, and it was the first outing this season that he didn't last at least four innings. Lauer's next turn through the rotation lined up for Tuesday in St. Louis, but it appears he'll be skipped for at least one turn. More information on the 27-year-old's injury should be available in the coming days as he continues to be evaluated.

Greene (shoulder) will continue his rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Louisville, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Greene has covered two frames in each of his first two rehab starts with Louisville, and he'll take the mound again for the Bats this weekend. The 23-year-old is expected to rejoin Cincinnati's starting rotation late next week following Sunday's outing.

Overton (back/hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with the Reds' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate Wednesday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Overton has been on the injured list since sustaining a back injury since late May, and his rehab process was slowed last month after he tweaked his hamstring while ramping up in Arizona. However, the right-hander will return to game action Wednesday and is expected to make another rehab start at Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday. Since there's just under a month remaining in the regular season, the Reds will likely choose to bring Overton back as a reliever once he's deemed fully healthy.

Verlander (calf) threw off the slope of a mound Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander hasn't yet been cleared to toe the rubber, but he said Wednesday that he hopes to throw a light bullpen session in the next few days. He doesn't yet have a timetable to return from the injured list but said that he's progressing as expected in his recovery from a right calf injury.

Lauer was removed from Wednesday's start against the Rockies due to left elbow tightness, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Lauer struggled early in Wednesday's outing, giving up seven runs on six hits and a walk while striking out four in 2.2 innings prior to begin replaced in the bottom of the third inning. It's possible that the southpaw's injury contributed to his struggles, and he'll likely undergo further testing to determine the extent of the issue. Whether he's cleared to make his next turn through the rotation remains to be seen.

Greinke (forearm) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list prior to Wednesday's start against Cleveland.

Greinke will return to action for Wednesday's series finale against the Guardians after missing two and a half weeks due to right forearm tightness. The right-hander has been relatively effective since the All-Star break, posting a 2.90 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 31 innings over six starts.