Fantasy News

• Rays' Zach Eflin: Falls out shy of quality start

  Rotowire Jun 11, 2024

  Eflin allowed two runs on seven hits over 5.2 innings in a no-decision Tuesday against the Cubs. He struck out three. Eflin was solid Tuesday, holding Chicago to one run on a Christopher Morel homer through his first five innings. However, he'd ultimately depart with two outs in the sixth before the Rays' bullpen would allow an inherited runner to score. Eflin has now allowed four runs in 9.2 innings over two starts since returning from a brief stay on the injured list. Overall, he's 3-4 with a 4.06 ERA,1.15 WHIP and 50:4 K:BB across 12 starts (68.2 innings). Eflin is currently scheduled to face Atlanta on the road in his next outing.

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• Rays' Zach Eflin: Goes four innings in return

  Rotowire Jun 6, 2024

  Eflin didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Marlins, allowing two runs on three hits and no walks across four innings. He struck out three. Eflin was activated from the 15-day IL for Wednesday's start and was yanked after 55 pitches. He was expected to be under a pitch count after being stretched out to only 40 pitches during his recovery from a back injury. The 30-year-old had to shake off a little rust, allowing all three hits and both runs in the first inning before retiring nine straight batters to close out the start. While Eflin will likely remain limited for the next few starts, he's worth a look in his next projected start, which is scheduled for Tuesday against the Cubs.

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• Rays' Zach Eflin: Activated for Wednesday's start

  Rotowire Jun 5, 2024

  The Rays reinstated Eflin (back) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday versus the Marlins in Miami. Tampa Bay optioned right-hander Justin Sterner to Triple-A Durham to clear the way for Eflin's return to the 26-man active roster. Eflin missed just over the minimum 15 days while recovering from lower-back inflammation, and the Rays signed off on him returning from the IL without a rehab assignment after he completed a 40-pitch, two-inning simulated bullpen session Sunday. According to MLB.com, manager Kevin Cash suggested that Eflin could face some limitations with his workload Wednesday, but the Rays will wait and see how the right-hander fares as the game unfolds before making any decisions on whether to cut his start short.

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• Rays' Zach Eflin: Slated to start Wednesday

  Rotowire Jun 5, 2024

  Eflin (back) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday's game against the Marlins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. As expected, Eflin will slot back into the rotation for the series finale in Miami after missing just over the minimum 15 days while recovering from lower-back inflammation. Because Eflin didn't head out on a minor-league rehab assignment while he was on the shelf, manager Kevin Cash acknowledged that the right-hander could face some light restrictions with his workload Wednesday, per MLB.com. Eflin threw a 40-pitch bullpen session consisting of two simulated innings Sunday, so Cash suggested that the Rays would wait and see how Eflin is feeling around the three-inning mark Wednesday before deciding how much longer he'll end up working.

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• Rays' Zach Eflin: Checks boxes in bullpen session

  Rotowire Jun 3, 2024

  Eflin (back) threw a 40-pitch bullpen session Sunday, MLB.com reports. Sunday's session was Eflin's second bullpen in the last four days. He threw two simulated innings and came away feeling good. The Rays haven't confirmed a date for Eflin's return from the 15-day injured list, but he could be activated as soon as Wednesday to start in the Rays' series finale in Miami.

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• Rays' Zach Eflin: Could be activated next week

  Rotowire May 30, 2024

  Manager Kevin Cash said that Eflin (back) will throw a light bullpen session Thursday and a "ramped-up bullpen session" Sunday before the Rays decide his next steps, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports. Cash noted that the Rays will wait and see how Eflin feels following Sunday's session, but if his lower-back injury isn't providing any complications, he could be cleared to return from the 15-day injured list next week. When Eflin was placed on the IL on May 20, Cash estimated that the right-hander would need 2-to-4 weeks to make a full recovery, and Eflin currently looks to be tracking toward the short end of that timeline.

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• Rays' Zach Eflin: Bullpen session scheduled

  Rotowire May 29, 2024

  Eflin (back) will throw a bullpen session Thursday, MLB.com reports. Eflin has played catch twice since Sunday and will now advance to more intense work. His progress has been steady since he was placed on the injured list retroactive to May 19, though a firm target for his return has yet to be set.

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• Rays' Zach Eflin: Plays catch

  Rotowire May 27, 2024

  Eflin (back) was able to play catch Sunday, MLB.com reports. Eflin was placed on the injured list with an effective date of May 19. He was projected to miss two-to-four weeks when first diagnosed, so he'll need to make significant progress quickly to hit the lower range of that timeline.

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• Rays' Zach Eflin: Expected to miss 2-to-4 weeks

  Rotowire May 20, 2024

  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.

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• Rays' Zach Eflin: Placed on IL with back injury

  Rotowire May 20, 2024

  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.

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• Rays' Zach Eflin: Escapes with no-decision Saturday

  Rotowire May 18, 2024

  Eflin came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Blue Jays, giving up four runs on nine hits over six innings. He struck out three without walking a batter. After keeping Toronto hitters in check the first time through the order, Eflin saw the wheels come off in the fourth and fifth innings, as he put the Rays in a 4-0 hole that they eventually climbed out of. The right-hander managed to keep the ball in the yard, snapping a streak of four straight starts in which he'd served up a homer. Eflin will take a 4.12 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and stellar 44:4 K:BB through 59 innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next weekend against the Royals.

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• Rays' Zach Eflin: Earns third win

  Rotowire May 13, 2024

  Eflin (3-4) earned the win Monday, allowing three runs on six hits while not walking a batter over five innings against the Red Sox. He struck out two. Eflin was able to grind through five innings, tossing 91 pitches to earn the win for the second-consecutive start. After being staked with a three-run lead before ever taking the hill, Eflin allowed a three-run homer to Tyler O'Neill in the bottom of the first that tied the score. Despite the elevated pitch count through five, Eflin managed to keep the Red Sox off the board throughout the remainder of his start and did not allow a free pass in the process. Eflin will carry a 3.91 ERA and 1.13 WHIP into his next start, tentatively slated to take place over the weekend when the Rays travel to Toronto for a three-game set against the division-rival Blue Jays.

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• Rays' Zach Eflin: Sharp in second win

  Rotowire May 8, 2024

  Eflin (2-4) picked up the win in Tuesday's 5-1 victory over the White Sox, allowing one run on six hits over seven innings. He struck out three without walking a batter. The right-hander put together his longest outing of the season, throwing an efficient 94 pitches (65 strikes) and blanking Chicago for six innings before Paul DeJong touched him up for a solo shot in the seventh. The quality start was Eflin's fourth of the season in eight trips to the mound, and he'll take a 3.75 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 39:4 K:BB through 48 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come early next week in Boston.

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• Rays' Zach Eflin: Falls to Milwaukee

  Rotowire May 1, 2024

  Eflin (1-4) took the loss Wednesday against the Brewers, allowing three runs on six hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out six. Eflin allowed a two-run double to William Contreras in the third inning before allowing a solo homer to Willy Adames in the sixth. The 30-year-old Eflin has now been stuck with a loss in consecutive starts -- he's allowed seven earned runs over 11.2 innings in that span. Eflin's ERA is now up to 4.17 with a 1.17 WHIP and 36:4 K:BB in seven starts this year. He'll look to get back on track in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week against the White Sox.

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• Rays' Zach Eflin: Hit with third loss

  Rotowire Apr 27, 2024

  Eflin (1-3) took the loss Friday after surrendering five runs (four earned) on nine hits and two walks while striking out four batters in six innings. Facing a White Sox offense that sports an MLB-worst .575 OPS, Eflin had a golden opportunity to pick up his second win of the season. Instead, he gave up two runs in the first five innings before surrendering a three-run homer to Martin Maldonado in the sixth that would ensure Chicago remained in the lead for the rest of the game. Eflin now holds a 4.08 ERA and 1.19 WHIP after his rough outing and projects to make his next start Wednesday against a strong Milwaukee lineup.

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• Rays' Zach Eflin: Six scoreless against Yankees

  Rotowire Apr 20, 2024

  Eflin allowed three hits over six scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Yankees on Saturday. He struck out six without issuing a walk. Eflin was locked into a pitchers' duel with opposing starter Nestor Cortes, with neither factoring into the decision. As a result, Eflin still sits with just one win this season, though he's been doing his part with a 3.68 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 26:2 K:BB in 29.1 innings. A 16-game winner a season ago, Eflin will have a great opportunity to get back into the win column next week in a matchup against the White Sox in Chicago.

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• Rays' Zach Eflin: Logs 6.1 scoreless innings

  Rotowire Apr 16, 2024

  Eflin didn't factor into the decision Monday, allowing six hits and no walks with five strikeouts over 6.1 innings against the Angels. Eflin got his revenge against the Angels on Monday, holding them scoreless after allowing five runs in five innings against them on April 8. The 30-year-old has yielded mixed results through four starts, giving up at least five earned runs twice while surrendering one run over 12.2 innings during his other pair of starts. Despite the inconsistencies, Eflin's command has been impeccable, with two walks allowed in 23.1 innings. Eflin's projected for a start against the Yankees on Saturday.

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• Rays' Zach Eflin: Struggles in loss against Angels

  Rotowire Apr 9, 2024

  Eflin (1-2) took the loss against the Angels on Monday, allowing five runs on nine hits and no walks while striking out five batters over five innings. Eflin fell behind 2-0 in the first inning and was lifted after giving up another pair of runs on four hits in the fifth frame. He allowed five Angels to cross the plate overall, the second time through three starts that he's allowed at least that many runs. Eflin's ERA now sits at 6.35 through 17 innings on the campaign, and he's given up four homers thus far. The right-hander does have a nice 15:2 K:BB on the season, but he's struggling to follow up on last year's career-best 16-win campaign.

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• Rays' Zach Eflin: Struggles in 2024 opener

  Rotowire Mar 29, 2024

  Eflin (0-1) went 5.2 innings and allowed six runs on six hits and one walk to take the loss Thursday versus Toronto. He struck out five. Eflin was roughed up by the Blue Jays' potent offense, giving up solo home runs to George Springer, Vladimir Guerrero and Cavan Biggio after allowing just 19 homers in 31 starts last year. Most of the damage against Eflin came in the sixth, when he surrendered five of his six runs. Eflin is set for another test to begin 2024 with a matchup against the Rangers on tap for his next projected start.

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• Rays' Zach Eflin: Builds up to four innings

  Rotowire Mar 12, 2024

  Eflin threw 63 pitches across four innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays. Eflin was hit hard, surrendering eight hits and eight runs (four earned). However, he spoke after the outing and said that he was working on specific pitches and throwing them in unusual situations, which was the cause of the poor results, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Eflin specifically noted that he got a good feel for his curveball, a pitch he used very effectively in 2023. The Rays haven't officially named their Opening Day starter for a matchup against the Blue Jays, but he would be the most logical candidate.

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