MLB Player News

The Dodgers recalled Knack from Triple-A Oklahoma City ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Nationals.

Knack earned a win while working in relief in the Dodgers' second game of the season back on March 19 in Tokyo, but he hasn't pitched for the big club since it resumed playing domestically. However, with Blake Snell (shoulder) going on the injured list Sunday and with the Dodgers electing to expand their rotation to six men this week, Knack will be called upon to make his first start of the season with Los Angeles. Though he struggled in his three postseason relief appearances last fall, Knack showed impressive poise for a rookie during the 2024 regular season, making 15 appearances (12 starts) for the Dodgers and logging a 3.65 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 69:18 K:BB over 69 innings. With a decent showing Wednesday, Knack should be able to stick around and make multiple turns through the rotation until the Dodgers get more of their starting pitchers back from injury.

The Mariners selected Lawrence's contract from Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday.

Lawrence had made two starts with Tacoma this season, allowing five runs with an 8:3 K:BB over 10.1 innings. The veteran righty will give Seattle some length in the bullpen for now, but he could get a look as the club's No. 5 starter if Luis F. Castillo is unable to hold down a back-end rotation spot while George Kirby (shoulder) remains on the injured list.

The Mariners designated Hahn for assignment Wednesday.

Hahn gave up only one unearned run over four innings during his brief time with the big club, but he nonetheless has been jettisoned from the 26-man active roster and 40-man roster. Seattle selected the contract of Casey Lawrence from Triple-A Tacoma to replace Hahn.

The Orioles recalled Selby from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

Selby has made 26 appearances at the big-league level over the previous two seasons, collecting a 7.55 ERA and 35:19 K:BB over 31 frames. The right-hander tossed three scoreless innings in his first three outings with Norfolk and will provide manager Brandon Hyde with a fresh bullpen arm.

Alexander is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Rockies in Denver.

Alexander made his first two appearances of the season out of the Milwaukee bullpen but was needed for a start last week in the wake of Aaron Civale's (hamstring) move to the injured list. The Brewers have since placed Nestor Cortes (elbow) on the IL and have acquired Quinn Priester to address their dwindling starting depth, but Alexander looks like he'll be sticking in the rotation for now over Elvin Rodriguez, who will presumably head to the bullpen this week after yielding 11 earned runs in nine innings over his two starts. Alexander earned a second turn through the rotation after striking out six over 5.2 scoreless innings last Friday in a win over the Reds, but he'll get a tougher draw Wednesday while pitching at altitude in hitter-friendly Coors Field.

The Tigers announced Wednesday that Guenther, who was placed on Triple-A Toledo's 7-day injured list March 28 due to lumbar spine inflammation, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Friday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Detroit optioned Guenther to Triple-A on March 17 after he failed to secure a spot in the Opening Day bullpen, but he wasn't known to be dealing with an injury until Toledo deactivated him to begin the season. While the fact that he's in line to step back on the mound Friday suggests he's making progress in his recovery, the reliever probably won't be ready to make his season debut for Toledo until late April at the soonest.

Mattison (elbow) will throw a live batting practice session Wednesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Mattison is ready to face hitters as he continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery. The 25-year-old has yet to pitch in the majors, but he's on the 40-man roster and could be an option for the Tigers' bullpen by June or so.

Vanasco (hip) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Lakeland on Wednesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Vanasco has been working his way back from offseason hip surgery but is finally ready to pitch in games. The right-hander is not on the 40-man roster and will eventually be assigned to Triple-A Toledo, where he'll provide relief depth.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Matzek (oblique) will need "at least a few" more rehab appearances in the minors before being considered an option for the big-league bullpen, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Matzek isn't a member of the Yankees' 40-man roster and currently resides on Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's 7-day injured list after he suffered an oblique strain in spring training while attending big-league camp as a non-roster invitee. The veteran southpaw made his first rehab appearance with Single-A Tampa on Sunday, striking out two while allowing one earned run on two hits in one inning. He'll likely make additional appearances with Tampa before eventually reporting to Triple-A, but he may not stick around with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre throughout the season. His minor-league contract contains a clause that would allow him to opt out and become a free agent May 1 if the Yankees don't promote him to the big leagues by then.

The Cubs recalled Roberts from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

He'll be joining the big club as a replacement on the 26-man active roster for left-hander Justin Steele (elbow), who was placed on the 15-day injured list. Roberts will likely work in middle relief for Chicago after getting off to a strong start to the season at Iowa, with whom he struck out seven batters while walking none over three scoreless innings between his two appearances.