MLB Player News

Rodney took the loss after allowing one run on two hits while recording just two outs Thursday against the Orioles.

Rodney got the Twins out of a jam in the 10th inning by getting Jonathan Schoop to ground into a double play, but Adam Jones ended things quickly the next inning with a walkoff solo homer on the first pitch. This is certainly not an ideal start to the season for the Twins' new closer, who was brought in on a one-year deal in the offseason. If his struggles continue, manager Paul Molitor may not take long to turn to Addison Reed, a more-than capable ninth-inning option who tossed a pair of scoreless innings Thursday.

Giles allowed a run on two hits and struck out a batter during the ninth inning of Thursday's 4-1 win over Texas.

It was a little surprising to see Giles take the hill in a non-save situation, but manager A.J. Hinch clearly didn't want to take any chances with a 4-0 lead in the season opener. There was offseason chatter about the reliever pitching in high-leverage situations outside the ninth inning, as well as a potential closer committee out of the Houston bullpen. However, Giles projects to be the primary option for the final frame, and he should be viewed as a sound option after recording 34 saves with a 2.30 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 11.9 K/9 last year.

Kelly was designated for assignment by Baltimore on Thursday.

The Orioles made a bunch of moves prior to Thursday's game, which included casting Kelly off the 40-man roster. He will report to Triple-A Norfolk unless claimed off waivers.

Pomeranz (forearm) tossed 60 pitches during a minor-league game in Florida on Wednesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Pomeranz was officially placed on the 10-day DL on Monday as he continues to recover from a forearm flexor strain. There's a chance that he could be ready to return to Boston in two weeks, but a precise target date should come into focus in the near future.

Hill earned a place on the Royals' Opening Day roster, Maria Torres of The Kansas City Star reports.

Hill spent a majority of the 2017 season at the Double-A level, posting a 4.17 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with a 75:19 K:BB over 69 innings. The left-hander has yet to toe the rubber in the majors at this point in his career and will likely be utilized in low-leverage situations.

Rodriguez (elbow) was put on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to March 26, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Rodriguez will be eligible to return for the series finale against Oakland on April 5. The right-hander has been dealing with right elbow inflammation for the past few weeks and will need a little more time to recover. There's a chance that Rodriguez will head down to Triple-A Round Rock once he's healthy.

Norris is expected to make his first start April 3 against the Royals after Thursday's season opener versus the Pirates was rained out, forcing the team to tweak its pitching schedule, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Since Friday was initially slated to be an off day in Detroit's schedule before the postponement pushed the season opener back a day, there was some thought that the Tigers might wait until April 4 -- when a fifth starter would first be needed --- to turn to Norris. However, with the postponement ensuring the Tigers play seven games in as many days to begin the season, Norris now looks locked in for the second game of Detroit's series with Kansas City.

The Blue Jays optioned Mayza to Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

Non-roster invitees Tyler Clippard and John Axford beat Mayza out for the final two spots in the Toronto bullpen. The left-handed Mayza had a rough go of things in his first exposure to the big leagues in 2017 with a 6.88 ERA and 1.65 WHIP across 17 innings, though a 27:4 K:BB, .501 BABIP and 60 percent strand rate all point to him being highly unlucky.

The Blue Jays designated Moll for assignment Thursday, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

It's the fourth time since November that Moll has been dropped from a team's 40-man roster, as the Athletics, Pirates and Mariners had previously exposed the left-hander to waivers. Unless the Blue Jays are able to execute a trade, Moll will likely hit the waiver wire again, though it's unclear if another team will have interest in scooping him up and adding him to the 40-man roster after he was lit up for six runs (five earned) and posted a 0:3 K:BB in 4.1 innings during spring training.

The Blue Jays selected Axford's contract from the minors Thursday, indicating he has cracked the team's Opening Day roster.

Axford impressed manager John Gibbons and Toronto's front office during spring training and will be utilized in a low-leverage relief role for the team this season. During 22 games with Oakland last year, Axford logged a 6.43 ERA and 2.10 WHIP over 21 innings.