MLB Player News

Eflin (knee) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays wanted to test Eflin's left knee by having him throw off a mound after he tweaked the knee Wednesday versus the Marlins, and manager Kevin Cash said Eflin's session went well and the right-hander is "doing better." However, it remains unclear whether Eflin will be able to make his next scheduled start Tuesday against the Yankees.

The Red Sox shut down Kluber (shoulder) from all baseball activity Saturday, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

Kluber suffered a setback during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester and will now have his return date pushed back. There's been no word on how severe Kluber's setback is, but he figures to still be multiple weeks away from returning to Boston. The 37-year-old righty held a 7.04 ERA and 1.64 WHIP through 55 innings before getting injured in late June.

Clevinger (biceps) was activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start Saturday against the Guardians.

He did not go on a rehab assignment and will look to impress potential trade suitors ahead of Tuesday's deadline. Most recently, Clevinger completed a four-inning simulated game, so he could go deep enough to qualify for the win. The 32-year-old righty has a 3.88 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 53 strikeouts in 62.2 innings this season.

The Tigers recalled Wentz from Triple-A Toledo on Saturday.

Wentz will serve as Detroit's primary pitcher Saturday against Miami behind Beau Brieske, who will start as the Tigers' opener. Wentz's MLB numbers haven't been godd this year -- he holds a 6.78 ERA and 1.63 WHIP through 71.2 innings over 16 appearances (15 starts).

Cortes (shoulder) is expected to throw around 60 pitches in a third and final rehab start next week, Matt Kardos of MiLB.com reports.

Cortes tossed 49 pitches, 36 for strikes, in Friday's rehab start for Double-A Somerset. He struck out five and allowed two hits and one walk in four scoreless innings. It's unclear where he will make his final rehab start next week, but if all goes well, Cortes would line up to rejoin the Yankees rotation Aug. 7 or Aug. 8 on the road against the White Sox.

Wentz is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Toledo to work as the primary pitcher behind opener Beau Brieske against the Marlins, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Wentz struck out 12 in 5.2 innings during his most recent start July 21, so he would be well rested for this appearance. The Tigers likely won't need Wentz beyond this outing unless they trade Eduardo Rodriguez and/or Michael Lorenzen before Tuesday's deadline.

Gausman (8-5) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on five hits and three walks over six innings in a 4-1 victory over the Angels. He struck out nine.

The veteran right-hander served up a solo shot to Shohei Ohtani in the first inning but buckled down after that, delivering his 15th quality start of the season -- tied for third in MLB, one back of Gerrit Cole and Logan Webb -- on 105 pitches, including 19 swinging strikes. Gausman will carry a 3.10 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 171:32 K:BB through 127.2 innings into his next outing, which is likely to come at home next week against the Orioles.

Giolito (6-7) took the loss Friday as the Angels fell 4-1 to the Blue Jays, giving up three runs on six hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out five.

Acquired from the White Sox on Wednesday, Giolito didn't pitch poorly in his debut for his new squad, but he got little run support and left the mound with the bases loaded after 73 pitches (45 strikes). Fortunately for his final line, Jose Soriano struck out two batters after relieving him to escape the jam. Giolito did serve up two more homers Friday, and his 22 long balls allowed on the season tie him for sixth-most in MLB, but he's been able to maintain palatable ratios with a 3.85 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 136:43 K:BB through 126.1 innings. The right-hander will look for his first win since June 28 in his next start, likely to come at home next week against the Mariners.

Dunning (8-4) yielded three runs on five hits and three walks over five innings Friday, striking out four and taking a loss in San Diego.

Dunning allowed two runs through four innings before Fernando Tatis drilled a solo homer in the fifth. In five July starts, Dunning posted a 5.06 ERA and a lackluster 17:9 K:BB through 26.2 frames. His season ERA has jumped to 3.28 after entering the month at 2.69. Dunning's next outing is projected to be at home against the White Sox.

Rodriguez did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing three hits and two walks over 6.1 scoreless innings against the Yankees. He struck out four.

Rodriguez went toe-to-toe with Gerrit Cole, and the Orioles eventually came out on top thanks to late-game heroics from Anthony Santander. It was the rookie's first scoreless outing since April 29 and just his third of the season. It's been mixed results for the 2018 first-round pick in his first big-league season, but the talent is evident. When Rodriguez limits the walks and keeps the ball in the park, he can certainly turn heads with his strikeout numbers, but that hasn't always been the case this season. He's been solid since being recalled in mid-July, posting a 3.12 ERA and 1.12 WHIP, but he's not guaranteed a spot in Baltimore's rotation during the stretch run.