MLB Player News

Pomeranz (elbow) was diagnosed Thursday with a neck strain, delaying his minor-league rehab assignment, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Pomeranz was supposed to begin pitching for Triple-A El Paso on Thursday, but he's run into another setback in his return from August 2021 flexor tendon surgery. At least it's not related to his forearm or elbow. The estimated timetable for his 2023 debut will probably have to be pushed back at least a week or two.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Thursday that Rodriguez (shoulder) has already thrown two bullpen sessions, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Rodriguez will do a couple more of those workouts before advancing to a minor-league rehab assignment. The Rule 5 pick landed on the injured list ahead of Opening Day because of shoulder tightness, but he could make his debut out of the Cardinals' bullpen before the end of April.

Rogers (0-1) took the loss Wednesday versus the Dodgers, allowing four runs on four walks while failing to record an out.

Rogers was called upon in the sixth inning, but he threw just 15 of 30 pitches for strikes. One of his walks came on a pitch clock violation. John Brebbia proceeded to allow three inherited runners to score, leaving Rogers with the loss. Rogers has kept runs off the board just once in five appearances, pitching to an awful 18.90 ERA and 3.00 WHIP across his first 3.1 innings with the Giants. With numbers like that, he may have worked his way out of the high-leverage mix for the immediate future.

Yates (1-0) picked up the win in Wednesday's victory over the Reds, walking one and striking out one in a scoreless eighth inning.

The veteran right-hander hasn't had a regular spot in a big-league bullpen since 2019 due to injuries, tossing only 11.1 big-league innings over the last three seasons, but Yates won a spot in the Atlanta bullpen in camp and recorded his first MLB win since 2018 on Wednesday. The 36-year-old has been far from sharp though, posting a 5.79 ERA and 4:6 K:BB through 4.2 innings to begin the season, and he's unlikely to see consistent high-leverage work without improving his control.

Robertson gave up two hits and struck out two in 1.1 scoreless innings to record his first hold of the season in Wednesday's win over the Padres.

The veteran right-hander looked like he might slide right into the ninth-inning role vacated by Edwin Diaz (knee), but instead Mets manager Buck Showalter elected to bring Robertson into Wednesday's game with two outs in the seventh inning and the team nursing a 4-2 lead. Adam Ottavino ended up getting the save after Robertson kept San Diego off the board through the eighth. He'll have more reliable fantasy value in formats that count saves and holds, but Robertson still figures to get the majority of the save chances for the Mets. Through six appearances and 6.1 innings, he has yet to give up a run with an 8:0 K:BB.

Nelson (2-0) allowed one hit while striking out three and walking none over 1.1 innings to earn the win Wednesday against Milwaukee.

Nelson stranded a pair of runners to finish off the fifth inning and qualify for the win. He's been effective thus far this season, allowing one run over 5.2 innings (six appearances) while striking out nine. The lefty was slated to open the season in the minors, but a Joe Mantiply shoulder injury provided a stay from that fate. Since then, Cole Sulser (shoulder) and Mark Melancon (shoulder) have landed on the 60-day injured list, which means Nelson should remain in Arizona for the foreseeable future.

Minter earned the save against the Reds on Wednesday with a perfect inning of work during which he struck out one batter.

After Atlanta took a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, the team turned to Minter to close things out in the ninth. He needed just 13 pitches to do so, retiring the side in order and fanning Jonathan India to record the final out. Minter has converted two of three save chances this season and has held the opponent scoreless in all but one of his seven outings thus far.

Pallante (1-0) allowed an inherited runner to score but was not charged with a run in one inning of work, earning the win despite taking a blown save Wednesday versus the Rockies.

Pallante got the last two outs of the seventh inning, but he still got a blown save since an inherited runner scored on a fielder's choice. The Cardinals retook the lead in the eighth and held onto it, putting Pallante in line for his first win in six appearances this season. The right-hander has struggled a bit with a 7.11 ERA and 1.74 WHIP over 6.1 innings, and he's added one hold. For now, he's likely to see work in middle relief.

Puk (1-0) picked up the win in Wednesday's 3-2 extra-inning victory over the Phillies, giving up one hit and striking out two over two scoreless innings.

After Dylan Floro worked a shutout eighth inning, Puk entered a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the ninth and needed only 23 pitches (18 strikes) to record his six outs. The southpaw has looked good to begin his Marlins tenure, posting a 3.60 ERA and 6:1 K:BB through his first four appearances and five innings with a win and a save. While manager Skip Schumaker figures to play matchups to some extent in the late innings, Puk has been his top high-leverage option so far.

Merryweather, who allowed two runs in an inning of work during Wednesday's loss to the Mariners, now has a 12.71 ERA this season.

Merryweather started the season with a dud, allowing five earned runs in his first appearance, and he's been scored on in two of his four outings since then. The righty should remain in a low-leverage role, and that plus his poor performance to date are keeping his fantasy value to a minimum.