MLB Player News

Contreras allowed three hits and two walks over five scoreless innings during Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Rockies in 10 innings. He had five strikeouts and didn't factor in the decision.

The 22-year-old was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to start Monday's contest, and he immediately delivered a strong performance. Contreras opened the season on the big-league roster as a long reliever, and he had a 3.52 ERA over 7.2 innings before being sent to Indianapolis to get stretched out. The right-hander is now back in the majors and is getting the chance to prove he belongs in the starting rotation.

Freeland did not factor in the decision Tuesday against the Pirates, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out six.

The left-hander didn't give up a hit through the first four frames Tuesday, but Pittsburgh tallied a run on two hits and a walk during the fifth before he was pulled. Freeland has issued a walk in every start this season and multiple walks in four straight outings. He'll carry a 4.85 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 40:15 K:BB across 48 innings (nine starts) into his next outing, which tentatively lines up for Sunday in Washington.

Stroman (2-4) allowed two runs on four hits across five innings to earn the win Tuesday against the Reds. He walked two and struck out eight.

The Cubs scored three runs in the first inning and 11 in the game, so Stroman got plenty of run support in an easy win while also recording a new season high in strikeouts. The righty started the season slowly and his ERA is still a bit high at 4.71, but he's been better lately with a 2.35 ERA across his past four starts, and he's gone 2-2 in that stretch. He'll look to keep it rolling in his next scheduled start Monday as part of a doubleheader against the Brewers.

DeGrom (shoulder) is playing catch from about 100 feet Tuesday and could begin throwing bullpen sessions as early as this weekend, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

The 33-year-old continues to extend his throwing distance and is now closing in on a return to mound work. The right-hander underwent an MRI last week which showed "continued healing in the scapula," and he's been ramping up the intensity of his throwing program as a result. There's no clear timeline for deGrom's return to game action, but it's clear he's progressing in his rehab work, and it's possible he could be back before the All-Star break.

Garrett (shoulder) is expected to be activated from Triple-A Jacksonville's 7-day injured list to start Sunday for the affiliate, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Garrett hasn't pitched for Jacksonville since April 26 while recovering from left shoulder inflammation. He looks ready to slot back into the rotation this weekend, however, after he completed a rehab start Saturday for Single-A Jupiter. He tossed 2.2 innings in that start, striking out five while giving up two earned runs on three hits and two walks.

Luzardo (forearm) has yet to start a throwing program since being placed on the 15-day injured list in mid-May, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old is eligible to be activated later this week but obviously won't be ready to return at that point. Luzardo is dealing with a strained left forearm, and his return timeline isn't likely to receive much clarity until he's at least able to resume throwing.

Eflin agreed to a one-year, $5.7 million contract with the Phillies on Tuesday to avoid arbitration, and the deal includes a $15 million mutual option for 2023, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

The two sides were able to come to terms ahead of the scheduled arbitration hearing, and there's also a mutual option for his first year of free agency next year. Mutual options are rarely exercised by both the player and the team, so he's still likely to become a free agent. Eflin is pitching well early in 2022 with a 3.65 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 35:7 K:BB across 37 innings.

Manager Bud Black confirmed that Feltner will be called up from Triple-A Albuquerque to start Wednesday's game in Pittsburgh, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Colorado will likely wait until Wednesday to officially add Feltner to the 26-man roster while removing another player from the roster in a corresponding move. Feltner previously made a spot start for the Rockies on April 27, when he took a loss in Philadelphia after giving up four earned runs and struck out seven over five innings. His most recent appearance in the minors was a three-inning outing Saturday, so Feltner could face some light restrictions with his workload Wednesday while taking the hill on three days' rest rather than the standard four. Feltner's stay in the Colorado rotation is unlikely to last more than a week or two, as Antonio Senzatela (back) is close to heading out on a rehab assignment and should be ready to return from the 10-day injured list by early June to reclaim his starting role with the big club.

Boyd (elbow) is almost ready for live batting practice, Evan Webeck of the San Jose Mercury News reports.

Boyd continues to recover from his left flexor tendon surgery from last September. He's been throwing 40-pitch bullpen sessions since April. Webeck adds that Boyd is unlikely to be ready to return when first eligible June 6 -- it's more likely the southpaw returns in late June or early July, depending on if the Giants need him to function as a starter or as a reliever.

Ashby is listed as the Brewers' scheduled starting pitcher for Wednesday's game in San Diego.

Ashby has worked out of the bullpen for both of his last two appearances, but he'll slot back into the rotation this week with the Brewers in the midst of a stretch of 18 games in 17 days. The 24-year-old lefty should have a good chance to stick around as a permanent member of the rotation for the foreseeable future, as the Brewers placed No. 3 starter Freddy Peralta on the 15-day injured list Monday with a lat strain that will likely keep him on the shelf for several weeks. Ashby is likely already rostered in most deeper leagues, but he'll be an intriguing pickup in shallower formats now that he has a clear path to making regular turns through the rotation. Over 60 career big-league innings, Ashby owns a 4.05 ERA (3.33 SIERA), 1.27 WHIP and 17.2 K-BB%.