MLB Player News

Kimbrel has been assigned to the Double-A Columbus roster, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Signed to a minor-league contract in mid-March, Kimbrel had been getting ramped up at Atlanta's spring training complex in Florida and is now ready to appear in games. The veteran reliever should eventually move up to Triple-A Gwinnett and, if all goes well, the plan is for him to join the big-league roster sometime in May.

Diaz (hamstring) rejoined the Reds on Sunday, and manager Terry Francona suggested that while the right-hander could be activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of Tuesday's series opener versus the Mariners, an official decision has yet to be made, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

Cincinnati seemingly has a spot on the 26-man active roster ready to go for Diaz, as the team placed reliever Sam Moll (shoulder) on the 15-day IL on Monday and didn't immediately announce a corresponding move. Diaz, who suffered a left hamstring strain late in spring training, made five appearances during his recent rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville, giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits and four walks while striking out eight over five innings. Despite the so-so results, Diaz told Goldsmith that he thought he threw the ball well over his final few outings with Louisville, and the 28-year-old feels that the mechanical adjustments he's made while on the shelf have left him prepared to find success if the Reds turn to him as their closer. Francona told Goldsmith last week that he wants Diaz to be the team's closer, but it's unclear if the skipper will immediately deploy Diaz in high-leverage spots once he's activated, or if he'll be eased into such situations.

The Reds placed Moll on the 15-day injured list Monday with a left shoulder impingement.

Moll hadn't pitched in a week and his velocity was down in his last appearance, so it seems this is something he's been dealing with for a little while. It's not yet clear how much time he might miss.

Henriquez (1-0) picked up the win Sunday, working a scoreless sixth inning in an 11-4 victory over the Nationals. He didn't strike out or walk a batter.

The 24-year-old righty needed only four pitches to breeze through his frame, and the Marlins then broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the inning. Henriquez has been effective to begin the season and has worked his way into a higher-leverage role than anticipated -- he's posted a 1.08 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 9:4 K:BB through 8.1 innings, and his three holds are already a new career high.

Lord is scheduled to start Monday's game against the Pirates in Pittsburgh, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

After winning a spot in Washington's Opening Day bullpen coming out of spring training, Lord moved into the rotation last week when Michael Soroka (biceps) landed on the injured list. Because he wasn't fully built up for a traditional starting role, Lord was lifted after three innings and 55 pitches in his outing last Tuesday against the Dodgers. He fared well in the tough matchup, striking out four Los Angeles batters while allowing no runs on two hits and two walks. Lord's workload will likely be restricted once again Monday, but he could be able to reach five innings if he's efficient with his pitch count. The 25-year-old rookie tentatively lines up for a two-start week, with his second outing likely to come Saturday in Colorado.

The Cardinals are expected to use Matz as part of a six-man rotation for at least three weeks, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

The Cardinals are moving to a temporary six-man rotation because they have just one scheduled off day from April 11 to May 7. Matz will enter the rotation this week and appears in line to make at least four starts before the team re-evaluates its pitching plan. The left-hander has collected a 2.31 ERA and 6:2 K:BB over 11.2 innings covering five relief appearances this season.

Atlanta activated Bummer from the bereavement list Monday.

Bummer missed the weekend series against the Rays but has rejoined the club for its early-week series in Toronto. The southpaw has yielded three runs with a 7:4 K:BB over five innings this season.

Atlanta optioned Petersen to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

Petersen was with the big club for just one day, tossing two scoreless frames in one relief appearance. He's clearing out to make room on the roster for Aaron Bummer, who is back from the bereavement list.

Birdsong picked up a hold during Sunday's 5-4 win over the Yankees, tossing two scoreless innings while striking out three and hitting one batter.

The 23-year-old entered the game in the sixth frame and retired all three batters he faced. The right-hander later hit Aaron Judge with a pitch in the seventh but escaped the inning without allowing a hit. Birdsong was efficient, facing seven batters and throwing 15 of his 20 pitches for strikes. After falling short in his bid for a spot in the Giants' Opening Day rotation, Birdsong has been dynamite in relief, having yet to allow a run while posting an 0.89 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB with three holds across nine innings over four appearances. The Giants don't seem motivated to have Birdsong get stretched back out for a starting role anytime soon, as manager Bob Melvin told Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News on April 5 that the right-hander is being treated as a true reliever at this point after San Francisco chose not to have him piggyback No. 5 starter Landen Roupp in his first start earlier this month.

Strahm gave up one run on one hit in one inning Sunday against St. Louis, striking out three.

Strahm threw 15 of his 19 pitches for strikes but struggled with his command, allowing a Yohel Pozo leadoff double to eventually come around to score following a wild pitch. It was the first run Strahm allowed so far this year, so the southpaw should remain Philadelphia's top left-handed setup man while Jose Alvarado works as the primary closer. Through 7.1 innings, Strahm has yielded only four hits, registered a 12:2 K:BB and tallied three holds.