MLB Player News

Poulin will serve as the Nationals' opening pitcher for Tuesday's game in Pittsburgh, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Miles Mikolas had been in line to start Tuesday, but after he allowed 19 runs (17 earned) in 12.1 innings through his first three outings of the season, the Nationals will instead deploy him in bulk relief behind Poulin with the hope that the arrangement yields better results. Poulin will be opening a game for the second time this season, after he previously tossed a scoreless frame March 31 against the Phillies. Like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh typically features two left-handed batters (Oneil Cruz and Brandon Lowe) in its top three lineup spots, so having the left-handed Poulin open the game could help the Nationals avoid falling into an early hole.

The Red Sox optioned Samaniego to Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

The left-hander was called up by Boston last week and delivered three scoreless appearances with a 4:3 K:BB in three outings, but he'll be the odd man out of the bullpen with Jack Anderson being promoted Tuesday. Samaniego spent most of last season at the Double-A level and had a 3.38 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 30:6 K:BB across 26.1 innings. He seems likely to get another look in Boston this season after pitching well in his first taste of the big leagues.

White Sox director of pitching Brian Bannister said Tuesday during an appearance on the Mully & Haugh Show that Taylor will continue to get more stretched out with each appearance if he continues to be deployed as an opener.

Taylor has started in four of his last five outings, working 1.1 innings Thursday and two innings Sunday after logging exactly one inning in his first five appearances. The 27 pitches he tossed Sunday are the most he's thrown this season, so he's still not close to being built up enough to go five-plus innings. That said, it's easy to get excited about Taylor's potential if he ends up being used like a true starting pitcher. Taylor has a 1.08 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB in 8.1 innings this season.

Lopez will start Tuesday's game against the Marlins at Truist Park after completing his five-game suspension.

During his most recent start April 7, Lopez was ejected midway through the fifth inning for throwing at Jorge Soler and exchanging punches with the Angels designated hitter. Lopez was handed a seven-game suspension a day later, but he quickly reached a settlement with Major League Baseball on a five-game ban, which he began serving immediately. Due to an off day last Thursday, Atlanta was able to get by temporarily with four starters, so Lopez didn't end up missing a turn through the rotation.

The Cubs recalled Rolison from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register reports.

It's unclear what the corresponding roster move will be, but with Matthew Boyd (biceps) expected back next week and Javier Assad struggling Monday versus the Phillies, it could be Assad being sent down. Rolison finished with a 7.02 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 25:20 K:BB across 42.1 innings with the Rockies last season.

Scholtens is slated to start Wednesday's game against the White Sox in Chicago.

The 32-year-old righty will be making his first start in the majors since 2023, facing off against the team with whom he initially broke into the big leagues. He'll be taking over the rotation spot that previously belonged to Joe Boyle (elbow), who was placed on the injured list last week. Scholtens' lone prior appearance with Tampa Bay came against the Cubs last Wednesday, when he struck out four over 4.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen.

Royals president of baseball operations J.J. Picollo said Tuesday on 96.5 The Fan that he's hopeful Estevez (foot) will be ready to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha within the next five days.

Working his way back from a left foot contusion, Estevez resumed throwing off a mound last week, and it appears he could be ready to pitch in rehab games before the end of this week. The Royals want Estevez to be healthy but also to rediscover some lost velocity, so the reliever might stay on a rehab assignment until he gets into a groove. Lucas Erceg has gone 5-for-5 in save chances for the Royals and could keep the closer job even after Estevez returns.

Woods Richardson (illness) is listed as the Twins' probable starter for Wednesday's game versus the Red Sox at Target Field.

Prior to his most recent start Friday in Toronto, Woods Richardson was feeling ill but fought through the ailment and took a loss while yielding five earned runs on six hits and one walk over four innings. The Twins never indicated that Woods Richardson was at risk of missing his next start, and he'll presumably be in better physical condition when he takes the hill for the fourth time this season Wednesday.

The Brewers transferred Zastryzny (shoulder/ribs) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Greg Jones. Zastryzny began the season on the IL with a shoulder strain before suffering an intercostal strain on his rehab assignment. The latter injury would appear to be the bigger issue now, and it will keep him out at least until late May.

Doval gave up two runs on two hits while striking out one batter over 1.1 innings in relief against the Angels on Monday.

Doval entered with two out, a runner on third base and the score tied 8-8 in the seventh inning. He got out of the jam by getting Logan O'Hoppe to fly out. However, he gave up a leadoff single in the following frame, and two batters later, Mike Trout tagged him for a monstrous 445-foot, two-run homer. That put Doval in line for the loss, but the Yankees were able to take him off the hook with a late comeback. The veteran reliever continues to work in high leverage, but he has just one hold along with a blown save so far this season. He's held the opponent scoreless in six of his nine outings, but in the other three he's given up two runs apiece. Overall, Doval has an unsavory 7.36 ERA along with a 1.23 WHIP and 7:1 K:BB through 7.1 frames.