Flyers and Matvei Michkov trying to avoid a noisy negotiation

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman joins the Jeff Marek Show to discuss how noisy the Flyers attempts to bring Matvei Michkov from the KHL to Philly has become, and why it is really complicated, but there may still be a solution.

In his return to game action Tuesday night, Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Yariel Rodriguez was lifted after throwing 16 pitches.

Rodriguez was making a rehab start with the Buffalo Bisons after being placed on the 15-day injured list with thoracic spine inflammation on April 30.

The 27-year-old Cuban managed to get one out, allowed a hit, an unearned run and one walk over his 16 pitches on the mound. Rodriguez threw nine fastballs, five sliders, one curveball and one splitter. He topped out at 94.6 m.p.h. with his fastball while sitting 93.3 with the pitch.

He faced four batters in total before being replaced by Beau Sulser who got the final two outs of the inning.

Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling reported that he was pulled due to his pitch count and had no physical concerns.

Signed to a five-year, $32-million contract by the Blue Jays in the off-season, Rodriguez had made four starts with the MLB club in 2024, posting a 4.11 ERA over 15.1 innings with 16 strikeouts.

Bowden Francis and Chad Green, both on the injured list, are scheduled to make rehab appearances with the Bisons on Wednesday. Francis has pitched for the Bisons twice in May, starting on the 14th and throwing 2.1 innings out of the bullpen on Saturday.

Green threw an inning for Buffalo on Sunday, throwing nine pitches over a clean inning.

According to Zwelling, if all goes well, Wednesday will be Francis’ and Green’s final rehab outing.