MLB Player News

Hicks opened the seventh inning of Sunday's loss to the Brewers and fired 1.1 scoreless innings during which he allowed no hits, issued two walks, uncorked a wild pitch, and recorded two strikeouts.

With Hicks having last logged an appearance Wednesday, manager Mike Shildt saw an opportunity to get his young reliever some low-leverage work with the Cardinals down 7-3 at the time. Hicks had some trouble with location as his numbers indicate, but he was otherwise able to turn in a second straight workload of more than 20 pitches without setbacks. The fireballer has yet to be scored on this season through four appearances, and he could soon graduate to higher-leverage assignments if matters continue to unfold smoothly for him.

Morejon was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left forearm strain Monday.

Morejon was removed in the first inning of Sunday's start against the Rangers due to his injury. The southpaw underwent an MRI, but the results of the test aren't yet known. The Padres plan to stay on turn in the rotation in the coming days, but Nabil Crismatt was recalled in a corresponding move and could fill in as a starter if needed.

Misiewicz was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Monday, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

The Mariners didn't initially provide a reason for Misiewicz's placement on the injured list, but the team has now specified that his absence is COVID-related. The designation doesn't necessarily mean that the southpaw has tested positive for the virus himself. Misiewicz will be able to return before the minimum 10 days as long as he isn't dealing with a positive test result of his own. Erik Swanson was recalled from Seattle's taxi squad to fill in as a reliever in Misiewicz's absence.

Swanson was recalled by the Mariners on Monday.

Swanson began the season at the Mariners' alternate training site even though he posted a 2.84 ERA and 0.63 WHIP in 6.1 innings this spring. However, he'll rejoin the major-league bullpen after Anthony Misiewicz was placed on the injured list for an unspecified reason Monday. Swanson gave up 11 runs in 7.2 innings across nine relief appearances for Seattle last year and will presumably serve in a low-leverage role in 2021.

The Mariners placed Misiewicz on the 10-day injured list Monday due to an unspecified issue.

Seattle hasn't revealed whether Misiewicz's placement on the IL was the result of an injury or a COVID-19-related concern. If it's the latter, Misiewicz could be able to return before the minimum 10 days, provided he hasn't actually tested positive for the virus himself. Seattle recalled Erik Swanson from its taxi squad to provide some extra depth in the bullpen while Misiewicz is on the shelf.

Richards was recalled by the Rays on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Richards was sent to Triple-A Durham prior to Opening Day after he allowed eight runs in 7.1 innings this spring. Richards has experience as a starter and long reliever in the majors, and he could fill in as a member of the rotation after Chris Archer (forearm) was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday.

Minter has a 1.80 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 6:1 K:BB through five innings while recording a hold and a blown save to begin the season.

The left-hander has seen heavy usage so far, appearing in five of Atlanta's first nine games, and other than a stumble against the Nats, Minter has looked sharp in a high-leverage role. Will Smith has a fairly firm hold on the closer job, but if he were out of the saves picture, Minter would be one of the top candidates to step in.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday that Brasier (calf) has yet to resume baseball activities, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Brasier has been sidelined since suffering a left calf strain in the final week of spring training in late March. Given that Brasier will still need to complete multiple bullpen sessions and simulated games before being activated from the 10-day injured list, he appears unlikely to make his 2021 debut for at least a couple of weeks.

Hand struck out one in a perfect inning during Sunday's loss to the Dodgers.

The southpaw cleared the COVID-19 protocols Friday but the Nats didn't have a late lead for him to protect all weekend, so Hand instead worked the eighth inning in a non-save situation Sunday. The team's offense should get back to full strength this week, so Hand should begin to receive save opportunities soon enough after racking up 103 saves over the last four seasons for San Diego and Cleveland.

The Blue Jays optioned Payamps to their alternate training site Monday.

Payamps' second stint with the big club of the season lasted just three days. He appeared in long relief during Friday's game against the Angels, striking out three over 2.2 scoreless frames. Payamps will head back to the alternate site to make room on the 26-man roster for Robbie Ray (elbow), who was activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Monday against the Yankees.