MLB Player News

Eflin lasted just 2.2 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out one Monday as he didn't factor into the decision against the Dodgers.

Eflin was yanked from the ballgame after surrendering three solo home runs on 75 pitches. The 24-year-old right-hander came into Monday's outing having collected a win in six of his last seven starts, but he certainly didn't appear to have his best stuff in the series opener after missing time on the disabled list with a blister on his right middle finger. Despite a shaky performance, Eflin sits with a solid 3.41 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with a 68:17 K:BB over 71.1 innings, as he'll look to get back on track in his next start slated for Saturday against Cincinnati.

Stripling allowed five runs on seven hits while striking out six over 4.2 innings as he didn't factor into the decision Monday against Philadelphia.

The Dodgers jumped out to a three-run lead, but the Phillies answered with three home runs, effectively chasing Stripling from the game. Prior to the series opener, Stripling had allowed just one run over his last two outings (12 innings), but he was unable to keep the ball in the yard Monday. Despite an uncharacteristic outing, the 28-year-old sits with a stellar 2.43 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with a 114:14 K:BB through 100 innings this season.

Farrell (3-4) was tagged with the loss Monday against the Diamondbacks, as he allowed six earned runs on six hits and two walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out two.

Farrell was thrust into duty after a doubleheader Saturday messed with the Cubs' rotation this week, and the 27-year-old struggled. With the poor outing, Farrell saw his ERA climb from 3.86 to 5.17. The righty could slide into Chicago's bullpen moving forward, though the team may also decide to send him back to Triple-A Iowa so he can continue to work as a starter.

Martinez (oblique) will toss a side session within the next couple days in order to determine his availability for next week against Colorado, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

If all goes well, Martinez will likely be able to return from the 10-day DL without missing more than one start in the rotation, which was the expectation when he landed on the shelf this past weekend. Look for the right-hander to step on the mound for his throwing session Tuesday or Wednesday while the team is in Cincinnati.

Smoker was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Monday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Smoker was cast off the 40-man roster in order to make room for Casey Sadler, who was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move. Max Moroff was optioned to the minors. Across seven appearances with the Pirates this year, Smoker posted an unsightly 11.12 ERA and 2.82 WHIP over 5.2 innings of relief. He will be subject to waivers and could join a new organization if claimed or traded within the next week.

Fried (finger) will make a rehab start Monday for Double-A Mississippi, David O'Brien of The Athletic Atlanta reports.

Fried was considered a candidate to return to Atlanta and start Tuesday against the Marlins, but he'll make one more rehab start instead. He would now be lined up to start Saturday against the Dodgers, though the Braves' plans for him are not yet clear.

Davies (shoulder) is scheduled to start Thursday for Low-A Wisconsin and then make a pair of starts for Triple-A Colorado Springs, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Davies has been out since late May with a shoulder issue and has also suffered from back tightness. He got through a sim game Monday and now has a comprehensive rehab schedule on tap. Assuming that all three rehab starts come on the standard four days' rest, he could be lined up to return Aug. 10 in Atlanta.

Eflin (finger) was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list ahead of his start against the Dodgers on Monday.

As expected, Eflin will rejoin Philadelphia's rotation after hitting the DL on July 14 with a blister on his right middle finger. Through 12 first-half starts, he posted a 3.15 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 68.2 innings.

The Padres moved Lauer's start back to Tuesday after recalling Joey Lucchesi for Monday's game against the Mets.

Lauer started 16 games for the Padres during the first half of the 2018 campaign, logging a 4.87 ERA and 1.67 WHIP with a 67:32 K:BB across 77.2 innings. This move likely takes Lauer out of the running for a pair of starts this week as his next projected appearance after facing New York comes Monday versus the Giants.

Lucchesi was called up from Triple-A El Paso and will take the hill against the Mets on Monday.

The Padres elected to move Lucchesi up a day and throw Eric Lauer on Tuesday, contrary to their previous plan. The club will need to make a corresponding move in the coming hours in order to make room for Lucchesi on the active roster. Lucchesi got knocked around pretty hard during his start with El Paso over the All-Star break (seven earned runs across two innings), but will rejoin the Padres rotation moving forward after a solid first half with the team (3.34 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 67.1 major-league innings).