MLB Player News

Varland was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right hand contusion.

Varland was hit in in the hand, face and forearm by a comebacker Saturday, with his hand being receiving the brunt of the impact. The 26-year-old will be unavailable for at least the next couple weeks. Elvis Peguero was recalled from Triple-A Nashville in a corresponding move.

Bard (personal) reported to Triple-A Albuquerque to begin a rehab assignment Sunday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander has been unavailable to begin the season due to anxiety issues, but he appears to closing in on his return from the injured list. If Bard feels good while pitching for the Isotopes, he could rejoin the Rockies sometime this week.

Reyes (shoulder) was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list by the Dodgers on Sunday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

The procedural move helps the Dodgers clear room on the 40-man roster for Austin Wynns. Reyes is expected to return around the start of June, as he's currently recovering from the shoulder surgery he underwent last May.

Knehr was recalled from Triple-A El Paso on Sunday.

Knehr failed to make San Diego's Opening Day roster but will now join the big club a couple weeks into the season. The right-hander made five appearances (one start) and had a 3.95 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB over 13.2 innings for the Friars last season.

Tapia was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Sunday.

Tapia made the Padres' Opening Day roster and made seven appearances over the first couple weeks of the season with a 4.32 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 9:6 K:BB in 8.1 frames. Reiss Knehr was recalled from El Paso in a corresponding move.

Cardinals manager Oli Marmol told reporters before Sunday's game against the Pirates that Hicks will work in low-leverage situations going forward, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

"We need to figure out a way for [Hicks] to be more effective & usable," Marmol said. "We've got to have a good enough plan to do that, where he's comfortable with it & we feel good about it." Hicks struggled again in a loss to the Pirates on Sunday while allowing three runs -- two earned -- and getting just one out in the process. The hard-throwing reliever now has a 12.71 ERA, 3.35 WHIP and 6:8 K:BB across 5.2 innings. The Cardinals are unable to send Hicks down to Triple-A because of his service time, so he'll have to work through his struggles while a member of the big-league club.

Gillaspie (0-1) allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits without recording an out to take the extra-inning loss versus the White Sox on Saturday.

Gillaspie was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the bottom of the 10th inning. He instead gave up a game-tying RBI double to Yasmani Grandal before Oscar Colas knocked a walkoff single. Gillaspie has permitted a run in four of his last five outings, and he owns a 7.20 ERA, 2.20 WHIP and 5:3 K:BB over five innings this season.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde told reporters before Sunday's game against the White Sox that Akin (personal) is expected to come off the paternity list Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Akin will miss a total of three games while being away from the team. The left-hander will return to a middle-innings role in the Baltimore bullpen, and the team will need to send down a pitcher before the series against the Nationals begins.

Mills (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Sunday.

Mills began the season on the injured list with right elbow inflammation and now won't be eligible to be activated until late May. The 28-year-old recently resumed throwing on flat ground, with the next major step in his rehab likely to be throwing off a mound.

The Red Sox placed Martin on the 15-day injured list Sunday, retroactive to April 13, with right shoulder inflammation.

Martin underwent an MRI before Sunday's game against the Angels and the imaging revealed the inflammation. Jake Faria is replacing the right-hander in the bullpen after having his contract selected from Triple-A Worcester. Martin will be out at least two weeks, but a more realistic timeline should be presented in the coming days.