MLB Player News

Heaney (shoulder) allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk with seven strikeouts in five-plus innings, taking a no-decision versus the Guardians on Sunday.

Heaney threw 77 pitches (51 strikes) in his first major-league game since April 17. He limited the damage to an Austin Hedges sacrifice fly after an error in the second inning and an Oscar Gonzalez solo home run in the sixth. It's encouraging to see Heaney find some success quickly in his return -- he's posted a 0.59 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 23:4 K:BB across 15.1 innings in three starts this year. He'll be tasked with providing quality performances in the absence of Walker Buehler (elbow). Heaney is projected for a road start in Atlanta next weekend.

Kelly (6-4) earned the win Sunday over the Twins. He allowed one run on five hits and no walks with five strikeouts in seven innings.

Kelly got into trouble in the first inning, giving up a run when Carlos Correa grounded into a double play. That ended up being the only damage on Kelly's line, as he settled in after that and completed seven innings for the third time in 14 starts. The strong outing trimmed his ERA to 3.46 with a 1.29 WHIP and 66:29 K:BB across 78 innings overall. The right-hander is projected for a favorable home start versus the Tigers next weekend.

Manager David Bell said Sunday that Lodolo (back) will make one more rehab start at Triple-A Louisville this week before the Reds decide if he's ready to return from the 10-day injured list, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Lodolo has been on the IL since April 28 with a lower-back strain but is nearing the finish line in his recovery from the injury. In his second and most recent rehab start Saturday at Triple-A, Lodolo tossed two innings (49 pitches) and struck out six while giving up two runs on four hits and a walk. If Lodolo can build up to around 70 pitches in his upcoming rehab start, he could be stretched out enough to rejoin the big-league rotation before the end of the month.

Meyer (elbow) made a rehab start Friday for Single-A Jupiter, striking out four over three innings while allowing one earned run on one hit.

Meyer had been sidelined for a month due to ulnar nerve irritation in his right elbow before he made a successful return to game action for Jupiter. The Marlins could have Meyer make one more rehab start at Jupiter or with Double-A Pensacola before he's activated from Triple-A Jacksonville's 7-day injured list.

Cobb allowed two runs on four hits and a walk over four innings in Sunday's loss to the Pirates. He struck out two and did not factor in the decision.

The only damage against Cobb came via the long ball; he coughed up solo home runs to Hoy Park and Jack Suwinski in the third and fourth innings, respectively. It was his first start since May 29 after a stint on the injured list. He threw 37 of 60 pitches for strikes. The 34-year-old is now sporting a 5.62 ERA with a 49:13 K:BB through nine starts. Cobb is expected to face the Reds at home next week, when he'll likely work deeper into the game.

Keller allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks over six innings in Sunday's win over the Giants. He struck out four and did not factor in the decision.

After coughing up a pair of runs in the first inning, Keller fired five scoreless frames to produce another solid performance. He retired 14 of the final 16 batters he faced, including a streak of 10 at one point. Since rejoining the rotation against the Dodgers on May 31, Keller has turned in four straight starts of at least five innings and fewer than three runs, and he's sporting a 18:11 K:BB and a 2.42 ERA during that stretch. The 26-year-old righty is expected to start in Tampa Bay next week.

Phillies interim manager Rob Thomson said after Sunday's 9-3 loss to the Nationals that Eflin was limited to two innings in his start due to a lingering right knee bruise, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

According to Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Thomson noted that prior to the game, the Phillies were planning on restricting Eflin to around 50 pitches because of the knee issue, but the right-hander threw only 38 pitches across two innings and gave up four earned runs before his day game to an end. Eflin, who dropped to 2-5 with the loss, admitted that his knee isn't 100 percent, but he believes he'll be ready to go when his next turn in the rotation comes up next Saturday in San Diego. On a positive note, Thomson said that Eflin doesn't have any damage to the patellar tendon in his right knee, which he had surgically repaired last fall.

Matz (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Matz progressed to throwing from flat ground last week, and he's now advanced to pitching off a mound. He's still likely a few weeks away from a return -- he'll need additional bullpen sessions without setbacks before throwing live batting practice, and it's expected the southpaw will ultimately need multiple rehab starts. Matz's absence is now expected to stretch at least into mid-July.

Eflin was lifted two innings into his start Sunday against the Nationals after potentially aggravating the right knee injury he contended with during his previous outing, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

While the knee issue didn't prevent Eflin from returning to the mound Sunday on his normal four days' rest schedule, the right-hander never seemed comfortable against the Nationals. He tossed 28 of his 38 pitches for strikes and was charged with four earned runs on five hits and no walks while striking out two. Expect interim manager Rob Thomson to provide an update on Eflin's condition following the game.

The Dodgers reinstated Heaney (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Sunday against the Guardians.

Heaney's return to the rotation following a two-month absence due to a left shoulder injury comes at a convenient time after ace Walker Buehler (elbow) was placed on the IL a week ago with a flexor strain, which could keep him on the shelf until September. With Buehler on the shelf, Heaney looks like he'll have a long leash to shake off any potential rest he may have coming off the shoulder injury. The veteran southpaw was dominant is his first two starts of the season before landing on the shelf and excelled in his third and final rehab outing at Double-A Tulsa on Tuesday, striking out nine over five scoreless frames.