MLB Player News

Taylor (back) will throw live batting practice in Fort Myers on Thursday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Taylor dealt with a back injury late last year and has managed a similar issue this spring. The southpaw will face hitters Thursday before heading to Boston to rehab with the team during the first homestead of the regular season. Manager Alex Cora is hopeful that Taylor will be able to begin a rehab assignment early next week, which could put him on track to make his 2022 debut late next week or sometime the following weekend.

Rodriguez's contract was selected by the Twins on Wednesday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Rodriguez spent the entire 2021 campaign at the Triple-A level and was unable to break camp with the Twins this year after serving as a non-roster invitee during spring training. However, the right-hander will now provide bullpen depth after Jharel Cotton was designated for assignment Wednesday.

Williams tossed a scoreless eighth inning and picked up his second hold of the season in Tuesday's victory over the Orioles.

Williams did not make things easy on himself, allowing the first three batters he faced to reach base, but he punched out the next three hitters that came to the plate and maintained the one-run lead the Brewers held when he entered the contest. Williams has tossed just two innings thus far, but five of the six outs he has recorded have come via strikeout.

Hader picked up his second save of the season in Tuesday's victory over the Orioles.

Hader allowed a hit and walked a batter in Tuesday's outing, but he also punched out two others and closed the door for the second time this season.

Milner picked up the first win of his career in Tuesday's victory over the Orioles.

Milner faced only one batter in Tuesday's contest, but he was the pitcher of record when the Brewers took the lead in the top of the seventh inning and was credited with his first win in his 96th MLB appearance. Like he did Tuesday, Milner figures to continue working situationally out of the Brewers' bullpen.

Manager David Bell said Wednesday that he received encouraging reports from Sims' (elbow) rehab appearance that he threw Tuesday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Sims was delayed in camp due to elbow and back injuries, but it's encouraging that he was able to begin a rehab assignment early in the regular season. He gave up a run via a solo homer in his one inning Tuesday, but he apparently felt good afterward. Bell is optimistic that Sims could return by the time the Reds return home to face the Cardinals on April 22.

The Reds optioned Duarte to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.

Duarte was demoted to clear a spot on the 28-man active roster for Nick Lodolo, whose contract was selected from Louisville ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Guardians. After making the Reds' Opening Day roster, Duarte appeared in two games in relief for the club, giving up two earned runs over 1.2 innings.

Iglesias (1-0) picked up the win in Tuesday's 4-3 victory over the Marlins, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

The Angels' closer breezed through his frame on 14 pitches (nine strikes) before his teammates pushed across the winning run in the bottom of the ninth. Iglesias has a win and a save through his first three appearances as he looks to build on an impressive 2021 campaign that saw him establish a new career high with a 37.7 percent strikeout rate while tying his personal best with 34 saves.

The Phillies designated Singer for assignment Wednesday.

Singer received his first MLB call-up prior to Tuesday's game against the Mets after closer Corey Knebel (illness) was placed on the COVID-19 injured list in a corresponding move. The 28-year-old lefty ultimately went unused out of the bullpen in Tuesday's 2-0 loss, and he'll now lose his spot on the 40-man roster and 28-man active roster after the Phillies reinstated Knebel on Wednesday. Assuming he clears waivers in the next couple of days, Singer will report to back to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Bender (0-1) took the loss Tuesday as the Marlins were downed 4-3 by the Angels, giving up one run on one walk in one-third of an inning.

It was a tough way to lose a game. With the score tied 3-3 to begin the bottom of the ninth inning, Bender issued a one-out walk to Jack Mayfield, only for pinch runner Tyler Wade to steal second, move over to third on a wild pitch, then come home on a grounder that shortstop Miguel Rojas bobbled slightly. Bender is getting the opportunity to show he can be the Marlins' ninth-inning man while Dylan Floro (shoulder) is on the shelf, but so far he hasn't looked great, posting a 7.71 ERA and 1:1 K:BB through 2.1 innings over three appearances and converting only one of two save chances.