MLB Player News

Mikolas threw 53 pitches over 2.2 innings in an intrasquad game Sunday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander was besieged by multiple errors behind him in the third and final frame, but no ball hit off Mikolas left the infield Sunday. Mikolas was actually perfect through two innings and recorded strikeouts of Kolten Wong and Matt Carpenter, making it a successful afternoon overall. The 31-year-old was able to use both his inside fastball and offspeed pitches effectively as he tried to emulate a regular-season mindset. "It's an intrasquad and we're teammates, but for that short amount of time, I'm not trying to be your friend," Mikolas said. "I'm trying to get ready for the season, and I think as these games get even closer and these intrasquad games get stretched out even longer, I think you're going to see even more of an edge and maybe some trash-talking and maybe guys getting more gritty."

Wright is a little behind the rest of the Braves pitchers in summer camp, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

He threw his first live batting practice Sunday and will pitch in an intrasquad game over the next three days. Wright was apparently slow to arrive to camp due to coronavirus testing and travel. Bowman notes that Wright is still poised to either be the No. 5 starter or a piggyback option, perhaps in front of or behind Sean Newcomb or Josh Tomlin. Wright is arguably the most talented starting pitcher of that trio, so if he stays on track, he could serve as a true starter for the bulk of the shortened season.

Corbin's goal is to build up to six innings or 100 pitches by Opening Day, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports. "I feel pretty positive that I'll be able to get there," he said.

He threw 43 pitches Saturday and will throw again Monday. In a season in which many pitchers will likely be on pitch counts in their first starts, Corbin would theoretically be as stretched out as just about anyone for his first turn in the rotation. He is expected to start July 26 at home against the Yankees.

Lauer confirmed Sunday that the Brewers placed him on the COVID-19 injured list, though the left-hander said he is healthy and expects to be ready to go for the start of the 2020 season, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

While it's not clear if Lauer himself ever tested positive for COVID-19, he indicated that he was in close contact with someone who did. As a result, the Brewers placed him in the COVID-19 protocol, but since he's on track to throw a bullpen session at the team facility Sunday or Monday, the assumption is that Lauer has already submitted two negative test results. If Lauer's bullpen session goes according to plan, he'll likely resume facing hitters a few days later, which should put him on track for Opening Day. Lauer is in contention for the final spot in the Brewers' rotation, with Corbin Burnes or Freddy Peralta seemingly representing his main competitors for that spot.

Lauer is healthy and "just got slowed down a little bit" according to manager Craig Counsell, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Lauer mysteriously landed on the 10-day injured list earlier this week, but the Brewers skipper says Lauer is healthy and has a chance to be ready for the start of the season. The southpaw is expected to throw a bullpen session Sunday or Monday. The fact that he is behind the rest of the Brewers' pitchers from a readiness standpoint may mean that either Corbin Burnes or Freddy Peralta opens the year as the team's No. 5 starter. Regardless of his role at the start of the season, Lauer is expected to offer bulk innings during the shortened campaign.

Martinez drew the start for the Cardinals Blue team in Saturday night's intrasquad scrimmage and recorded four strikeouts across two innings, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander was facing many of the Cardinals' regulars in the outing, so his effectiveness was particularly impressive. One of Martinez's four whiffs was a swinging strikeout of Paul Goldschmidt, and he never allowed a hit over his 28 pitches, 18 which found the strike zone. "I thought he looked sharp, especially the offspeed stuff, which is safe to say he's definitely been working on his stuff while he's been away," catcher Matt Wieters said. "The offspeed stuff normally takes awhile to come back, but it was sharp from the get go today, which a good sign."

Lauer landed on the injured list for undisclosed reasons Saturday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Clubs across the league have provided minimal details on several injured-list assignments due to privacy issues concerning COVID-19, though Lauer was reportedly battling a non-coronavirus illness earlier in camp. The lefty, who was acquired in a trade with the Padres back in November, is battling for a spot in the back of the Brewers' rotation, though his lost time could lead to him opening the season in the bullpen.

Eflin is considered day-to-day due to back spasms, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

The issue doesn't appear to be serious, but it's prevented Eflin from facing hitters in any of the Phillies' intrasquad games. WIth Opening Day less than two weeks away, it's quite possible Eflin misses a turn in the rotation or is at least on a fairly low pitch count early on. With Zack Wheeler also set to miss time early due to the birth of his first child, there's a good chance both Vince Velasquez and Nick Pivetta are in the Phillies' rotation to start the year. Highly-rated prospect Spencer Howard could even get a chance right away, as well, despite the fact that he's yet to reach Triple-A.

Toussaint (illness) has been placed on the COVID-19 injured list.

The Braves confirmed July 4 that Toussaint tested positive for COVID-19, and he'll be on the COVID-19 injured list as a result. The 24-year-old is reportedly asymptomatic, but under MLB protocol, he'll need to test negative twice before he's allowed to rejoin the team. Toussaint was already a bit of a longshot to crack the Opening Day roster, but it's unclear whether he'll be physically ready to play by the start of the regular season.

Urena tossed four scoreless innings during Friday's intrasquad game, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

While the Marlins have yet to officially announce their rotation, Urena is considered a near lock for one of the spots despite finishing last season in the bullpen, and his workload in camp supports that notion. The 28-year-old posted a 5.21 ERA and 4.73 FIP with a 62:26 K:BB over 84.2 innings in 2019.