MLB Player News

Maeda (illness) allowed one run on three hits and no walks and struck out six over three innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Toledo on Sunday.

He threw 53 pitches in the outing. Maeda will throw a bullpen session either Tuesday or Wednesday, per Chris McCosky of The Detroit News, and a decision as to whether he'll require another rehab start hasn't yet been made. It's possible he could return from the 15-day injured list to start for the Tigers as soon as Friday versus the Blue Jays, but more should be known about his status in the coming days.

Atlanta optioned Elder to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

Elder allowed seven runs (six earned) over three innings in a loss to the Padres on Sunday in his last outing. With a bloated 6.46 ERA during his time in the majors, Elder will head back to Gwinnett as he looks to get back on track. Darius Vines has been recalled and is a candidate to take Elder's rotation spot.

Atlanta recalled Vines from Triple-A Gwinnett after Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader against San Diego.

The right-hander was sent down in April after he gave up five runs over 9.2 frames in two starts for Atlanta, and he'll rejoin the big club ahead of Game 2 of Monday's twin bill. Vines will immediately be available out of the bullpen, but he could start Thursday against the Cubs if he's not called upon in the next couple days.

Senga (shoulder) did not throw a scheduled bullpen session Sunday due to right triceps tightness, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Senga had seemingly been making good progress recently as he works his way back from a right posterior shoulder capsule strain, but he's now encountered another speed bump. The hope is that he'll be ready to throw off the mound later this week, but the Mets will likely wait until the right-hander is pain-free before he resumes a throwing program.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Monday that he expects Eflin (back) to remain on the 15-day injured list for 2-to-4 weeks, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Eflin landed on the IL on Monday with a lower-back injury that he felt crop up toward the end of his most recent start Saturday. The right-hander said it feels similar to an injury that cost him two weeks last season. While the hope is that the absence will be similar in length this time around, Eflin's manager has allowed for the possibility for it to be a bit longer.

Cole (elbow) will face hitters Tuesday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

Cole has been throwing off a mound for a couple weeks and is now ready to face hitters for the first time since he was diagnosed with nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow back in mid-March. A rehab assignment shouldn't be too far down the road, although there's been no date revealed for that yet. Cole is still several weeks away from his season debut.

Lauer signed a minor-league contract with the Astros on Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The veteran left-hander opted out of his minor-league pact with the Pirates last week and didn't take long to latch on with a new organization. Lauer had a 5.52 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 37:11 K:BB across 29.1 innings at Triple-A Indianapolis, and he may need to post better results for Houston's Triple-A affiliate in Sugar Land in order to receive a look in the big leagues. His contract includes opt-outs for July 1 and August 1 if he's not on the major-league roster.

The Brewers recalled Blalock from Double-A Biloxi on Monday.

Blalock will skip over the Triple-A level and go straight to the big leagues after collecting a 2.27 ERA and 29:7 K:BB over 35.2 innings. The 23-year-old has been used as a starter in the minors, but if he makes his major-league debut during this stint, it would appear likely to come in relief.

The Rays placed Eflin on the 15-day injured list Monday, retroactive to May 19, with lower-back inflammation, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Eflin last pitched Saturday in Toronto, allowing four runs over six innings. It's not clear whether he developed the injury during that outing or another time, but either way he will be sidelined for at least the next two weeks. Ryan Pepiot (leg) is expected back from the IL this week and can slide into Eflin's rotation spot.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol indicated Monday that Soroka is likely to stay in the bullpen rather than take the rotation spot vacated by Brad Keller, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Soroka threw four scoreless innings in relief of Keller on Saturday, but it sounds like he'll remain in a relief role for now after struggling mightily as a starter earlier this season (6.39 ERA). Nick Nastrini and Jonathan Cannon would seem to be candidates to fill Keller's role.