MLB Player News

Eflin will undergo back surgery Monday and is expected to be sidelined 4-to-8 months, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Eflin had already been ruled out for the season after it was revealed he would need lumbar microdiscectomy surgery, and now there's a firmer timetable for the right-hander's recovery. The 31-year-old is hopeful the operation will allow him to put his nagging back issues -- which he revealed Wednesday have been a problem off and on for the past 5-to-6 years -- behind him, per Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com. An impending free agent, Eflin hopes to be ready for the start of spring training, but it's not a given.

The Mets activated Blackburn (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Laura Albanese of Newsday reports.

Blackburn has made five rehab starts and built up to 97 pitches in his most recent outing last Friday. His return comes at a time of need after manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that Frankie Montas is moving to the bullpen permanently. It's been reported by Andy Martino of SNY.tv that Nolan McLean is expected to be tapped to start in his MLB debut Saturday against the Mariners, but Blackburn also appears ready to rejoin New York's rotation. For now, though, he's likely to be available out of the bullpen.

The Astros optioned Gordon to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.

Gordon's latest stint with the big club lasted only one day, as he'll be sent down after yielding five runs (four earned) in a two-inning relief outing Tuesday versus the Red Sox. Jordan Weems is taking Gordon's spot on the roster.

Liberatore has had difficulty maintaining his velocity deep into starts, most recently seeing his four-seamer drop to 90-to-91 mph in the fifth inning of Tuesday's loss to the Rockies, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Liberatore set down the first nine batters he faced Tuesday. However, his velocity began to slip in the fourth -- when he served up a two-run homer to Hunter Goodman -- and declined further in the fifth before he was pulled after allowing the first two runners of that frame to reach base. Liberatore has a 5.47 ERA and 12:11 K:BB over 24.2 innings since the start of July and hasn't recorded an out beyond the fifth inning in any of those outings. The lefty could be wearing down as he goes through his first full season as a starter at the major-league level. Liberatore will make his next scheduled start Monday in Miami, but if he struggles again, the Cardinals will consider altering his role. One option is to piggyback him with Kyle Leahy.

Scott threw a bullpen session last week and is "doing well" in his recovery from right elbow surgery, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

It was Scott's first bullpen session since he underwent a hybrid Tommy John and internal brace procedure on his pitching elbow last September. He's not expected to pitch this season and remains on the 60-day injured list.

The Reds activated Greene (groin) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

In a corresponding move, the Reds optioned Sam Benschoter to Triple-A Louisville. Greene hasn't pitched since June 3 due to a strained groin but will return for the finale against the Phillies. He's also dealt with back issues this season, making a total of 11 starts and registering a 2.72 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 73:14 K:BB across 59.2 innings. He went 5.1 innings and threw 79 pitches in his latest rehab start last Friday.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Wednesday that Bergert will remain in the rotation and start Sunday against the White Sox, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Michael Lorenzen (oblique) will rejoin the rotation Saturday, but it will be Bailey Falter -- and not Bergert -- losing his rotation spot. Bergert has allowed four runs with a 10:3 K:BB over 11.1 innings in his two starts for the Royals and boasts a 2.87 ERA across 13 appearances (nine starts) between San Diego and Kansas City in 2025.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Wednesday that Lorenzen (oblique) will rejoin the rotation Saturday versus the White Sox, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Out since mid-July with a left oblique strain, Lorenzen built up to 85 pitches in his last rehab start, so he should be ready for a normal workload Saturday. Lorenzen has posted a 4.61 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 99.2 innings for the Royals this season. Bailey Falter has been moved to the bullpen to make room for Lorenzen in the rotation.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Wednesday that Falter will move to the bullpen, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Michael Lorenzen (oblique) is ready to rejoin the rotation this weekend, and it's Falter who will shift to relief to accommodate Lorenzen's return. Falter has been pummeled for nine runs on 11 hits and five walks over eight innings in two starts since the Royals acquired him at the trade deadline. The lefty is likely to be used in a mop-up role.

The White Sox activated Perez (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

After being placed on the shelf in late April with a left flexor strain, Perez made two rehab starts, allowing three runs with a 5:3 K:BB over 6.2 innings. The veteran left-hander will be used in relief for the time being, per Kyle Williams of the Chicago Sun-Times, although Perez is s a candidate to eventually receive some starts once he gets further stretched out. Perez held a 3.15 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 18:11 K:BB over 20 innings in his first four starts of the season before getting hurt.