MLB Player News

Woods Richardson (0-3) took the loss Wednesday as the Twins fell 9-5 to the Red Sox, surrendering seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out three.

A three-run homer by Trevor Story in the third inning was the biggest blow, and Woods Richardson didn't get a lot of help from his defense, but he dealt with traffic on the basepaths in every frame before mercifully getting the hook after 92 pitches (57 strikes). The right-hander has been tagged for 12 runs (11 earned) over his last two outings, and he'll carry a 6.10 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 11:7 K:BB through 20.2 innings into his next start, which is set to come on the road next week against the Mets.

Padres manager Craig Stammen told reporters Wednesday that Pivetta was diagnosed with a right flexor strain, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Per Annie Heilbrunn of the San Diego Sports Association, Stammen believes that Pivetta is looking at "weeks, maybe months" of rehab and rest. That kind of timeline indicates that Pivetta will be out of action until the summer, potentially through the All-Star break in mid-July. Matt Waldron (lower body) is slated to take Pivetta's spot in the rotation later this week once the former is activated from the 15-day IL.

O'Brien struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his fifth save of the season in a 5-3 win over the Guardians.

The flame-throwing right-hander topped out at 99.7 mph with his two-seamer as he fanned Angel Martinez and Rhys Hoskins en route to converting his fifth straight save chance to begin the season. The back of the Cardinals' bullpen seemed unsettled to begin the season, but O'Brien has quickly locked down the closing gig while posting a 0.39 WHIP and 11:0 K:BB with just one unearned run allowed through his first 10.1 innings.

Kolek (oblique) allowed no runs on three hits and a walk over four innings during a rehab start with Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday. He struck out two.

Kolek made the first start of his rehab assignment as he works his way back from a Grade 1 left oblique strain suffered in spring training. The right-hander threw 54 pitches (36 strikes) and maintained a fastball velocity of 94.3 mph, in line with his previous levels. The 28-year-old should continue to build up his workload for another couple rehab outings before being activated from the injured list, though he may be ticketed to remain at Triple-A upon activation with no clear opening in the big-league rotation.

The Astros placed Bolton on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with mid-back inflammation, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Bolton was lifted from his previous start Sunday against the Mariners with a back issue that had lingered since his previous outing. The injury doesn't seem to be a long-term issue, but the loss of Bolton for any period of time represents yet another blow to the Astros' rotation depth.

The White Sox optioned Eisert to Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday.

Eisert spent less than a week with the big club and gave up four runs on six hits with a 2:1 K:BB in 2.1 innings. His roster spot will be taken by fellow lefty Tyler Gilbert, who will offer more length in the bullpen.

The White Sox recalled Gilbert from Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday.

Chicago will swap a pair of left-handed relievers on the active roster, as Gilbert comes up from Charlotte to replace Brandon Eisert, who was demoted to Triple-A. In addition to giving the White Sox another southpaw in the bullpen, Gilbert is capable of covering multiple innings when needed to mop up.

Pagan (hamstring) played catch and "felt pretty good," but his availability for Wednesday's game against the Giants has yet to be determined, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Pagan's hamstring tightened up throughout his relief appearance in Tuesday's 2-1 win, and he felt it grab on his final pitch. However, after seeing the doctor and receiving treatment, he feels as though he's "dodged a bullet" with the injury. Pagan will talk with the Reds staff prior to Wednesday's contest before it's determined whether he will be available to pitch. Consider him day-to-day for the time being. If Pagan isn't cleared to pitch, Tony Santillan would likely be the first choice to fill in at closer.

The Phillies placed Pop on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right calf strain.

Pop evidently suffered the injury during an opener assignment Sunday against the Diamondbacks. He will be eligible for activation April 28, but it's too soon to know whether he will be back on that date. Kyle Backhus has taken Pop's spot on the roster and in the Philadelphia bullpen.

The Phillies recalled Backhus from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.

Backhus will get the call back to Philadelphia as a replacement in the bullpen for righty Zach Pop (calf), who was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Before being sent back to Lehigh Valley last week, Backhus had yielded three earned runs on four hits and one walk while striking out four batters in three innings across his four appearances with the big club.