MLB Player News

Rodriguez cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Worcester, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Rodriguez was designated for assignment Sunday after posting a 6.55 ERA and 1.55 WHIP across 11 innings with the Red Sox. The 32-year-old southpaw will now officially remain with the organization, but he will not have the benefit of a 40-man roster spot and will likely need to show significant improvement in the minors before getting another shot in Boston.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Burdi (hip) could head out on a minor-league rehab assignment soon, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Placed on the 15-day injured list April 19 with right hip inflammation, Burdi doesn't look as though he'll be in store for an especially lengthy stint on the shelf. Burdi struck out eight over 6.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen prior to being placed on the IL.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said he's not sure whether Kimbrel (back) will be available to pitch Wednesday versus the Yankees, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Hyde said something similar prior to Tuesday's game and Kimbrel did not appear in that contest. It's possible the skipper is just practicing some gamesmanship here so that the Yankees have less information to work with, but either way it doesn't sound like there will be clarification prior to Wednesday's game. If Kimbrel is indeed unavailable again, Yennier Cano and Danny Coulombe are candidates for saves.

Lange earned the save in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Cardinals, recording two strikeouts and a walk over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Lange struck out Willson Contreras for the final out in the eighth inning before closing the door in the ninth, working around a two-out walk to Paul Goldschmidt for his second save this season. Jason Foley was likely unavailable Wednesday after pitching three of the last four days, though Lange has continued to pitch well in a set-up role -- he's held opponents scoreless in his last 7.2 innings, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out nine in that span. The 28-year-old right-hander lowered his ERA to 0.75 with a 1.17 WHIP 16:9 K:BB across 12 innings this season.

The Angels designated Kristofak for assignment Wendesday.

The team needed to clear a spot on its 40-man roster for designated hitter/outfielder Willie Calhoun, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday. Kristofak, 26, made one appearance during his brief stint with the Angels, allowing two unearned runs over two innings Sunday against the Twins.

Santos (lat) recently upped his throwing distance to 120 feet, MLB.com reports.

A recent shift to the 60-day IL didn't impact Santos' return timeline, as he was never expected to be able to make his season debut before late May. That timeframe appears to still remain realistic, and he's slated to continue throwing at the 120-foot distance throughout this week before upping his intensity again.

Alexander (ribs) threw live batting practice to Miguel Andujar (knee) on Tuesday and is now set to join Single-A Stockton to begin a rehab assignment Friday, MLB.com reports.

Alexander cleared his final hurdle to a return to the mound with Tuesday's activity, and when he does debut for the Ports, it will be his first game action since a March 6 Cactus League appearance against the Angels. Given the amount of time he's been sidelined, Alexander figures to need a fairly lengthy rehab assignment, even though he'll likely be utilized for no more than two innings per appearance once he's with the big-league club.

Spence (3-1) got the win against the Pirates on Tuesday, firing three scoreless, one-hit innings during which he recorded two strikeouts.

Spence got the fifth-inning call after starter Alex Wood labored to the tune of 93 pitches over four frames. As has become increasingly customary, Spence delivered an impressive multi-inning effort, his third three-inning scoreless outing over his last four appearances. Spence now has victories in back-to-back appearances as well and sports a 2.84 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB across his eight trips to the mound.

The Twins optioned Funderburk to Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Funderburk worked two innings in Tuesday's win over the White Sox, allowing a pair of runs. Since he wasn't going to be available for Wednesday's series finale in Chicago, Funderburk will head back to Triple-A while the Twins bring aboard right-hander Caleb Boushley from St. Paul to serve as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen.

The White Sox recalled Shuster from Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday.

Chris Flexen will start for the White Sox on Wednesday versus the Twins and has bounced between the rotation and bullpen lately, so Shuster will give Chicago an option for long relief, if needed. The lefty has allowed just one run over 6.1 innings in two relief appearances with the big club this season.