MLB Player News

Yates (knee) is scheduled to face hitters Tuesday as he works through mechanical adjustments ahead of his return, Doug Padilla of The Orange County Register reports.

"I think it's more of a feeling for me, knowing how the ball is supposed to come out of my hand," Yates said. "I don't think we're a crazy way away (from a return), or anything like that. It's just how quickly you can get to where you're comfortable going back out there and getting big outs for your team." It sounds like Yates and the Angels will have a better idea of how close he is after Tuesday's session. In Yates' absence, Jordan Romano has excelled as the closer, while Chase Silseth has been strong in a setup role for the Angels.

Miller recorded the save in Sunday's 8-6 win over the Red Sox, striking out the side in a perfect ninth inning.

Miller has saves in back-to-back games while striking out all six batters he's faced in that span. The right-hander needed just 12 pitches to set down the Red Sox in Sunday's win after throwing 11 pitches Saturday. Miller is up to four saves, tied for the league lead in the early going. He's allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out 11 in 4.1 scoreless innings.

The Cardinals optioned Roycroft to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The right-hander will be demoted to Triple-A after surrendering five earned runs in his first five outings of the season. Roycroft had a 7.84 ERA in 20 appearances with the Cardinals last season and will likely need better results with Memphis in order to get another look in the big leagues.

The Cardinals selected Shuster's contract from Triple-A Memphis on Sunday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The left-hander was unable to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster after signing as a non-roster invitee in December, but he'll get a look in the big leagues less than two weeks into the season. Shuster made 12 appearances with the White Sox last season and surrendered 14 earned runs with a 12:5 K:BB over 15.2 innings.

Fairbanks will start Sunday's game against the Yankees before being placed on the paternity list Monday, Isaac Azout of FishOnFirst.com reports.

Sunday's contest is starting in a rain delay, and Fairbanks will be used as an opener to allow him to leave the team a bit earlier and join his growing family. The right-hander should be back with the Marlins by Thursday's game versus the Reds. Calvin Faucher, Anthony Bender and Andrew Nardi are the top candidates for save chances while Fairbanks is unavailable as closer.

Boston is expecting Whitlock (paternity leave) to return to the team Monday, Chris Henrique of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

Whitlock has been away from the team since Friday while welcoming his second child into the world. The righty reliever should be back with Boston for the team's series opener at home versus Milwaukee. Whitlock has yet to give a up a run through three outings spanning three innings this season.

Texas recalled Curvelo from Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.

Curvelo wasn't able to break camp with the Rangers, but he'll now get a look in the bullpen after Carter Baumler landed on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right intercostal strain. In his first big-league stint last season, Curvelo tossed 19 innings over 17 appearances and posted a 5.68 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 20:10 K:BB while picking up two holds. He'll likely take on a low-leverage role.

The Rangers placed Baumler on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right intercostal strain.

Baumler had his best outing of the season Saturday versus Cincinnati, striking out one batter in one perfect inning, but he apparently was injured in the process. The right-hander will consequently need to miss at least a couple weeks. Texas recalled reliever Luis Curvelo from Triple-A Round Rock to take Baumler's place in the bullpen.

Toronto optioned Little to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

Little has had a disastrous start to the campaign, allowing 10 earned runs and giving up three homers while posting a 6:3 K:BB over 3.2 innings across five appearances. He was a big piece of the team's bullpen while working in a high-leverage role last season, so Little will presumably be given another chance with the big-league club if he's able to work out his issues with Buffalo. The Blue Jays selected the contracts of two relievers -- Austin Voth and Joe Mantiply -- among a series of transactions Sunday.

Toronto optioned Estrada to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

Estrada was excellent in a bulk-relief outing Saturday, holding the White Sox hitless over four innings while striking out three batters and walking two. However, he threw 66 pitches and would presumably be sidelined for several days as a result, so the Blue Jays opted to shuffle him down to Buffalo in order to beef up the team's bullpen. Given Estrada's performance Saturday, it seems very likely he'll be back with the major-league club relatively soon.