MLB Player News

Matz isn't expected to make his second start of the season until next week's series in Cincinnati, when the Cardinals will shift back to a six-man rotation, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Matz had made his first five appearances of the season out of the bullpen before manager Oliver Marmol elected to expand the rotation to six men last week during a busy portion of the schedule. The southpaw was sharp in his first start April 16, claiming a win while limiting the Astros to one run on two hits and no walks over five innings. Despite Matz's strong outing, the Cardinals moved him back to the bullpen to begin the current week, with an off day Thursday allowing the team to temporarily condense the rotation to five men. Matz was called upon in relief in the Cardinals' 10-4 victory over Atlanta on Tuesday, when he recorded his second win of the season while tossing 2.2 scoreless innings. St. Louis will likely stay away from Matz for this weekend's series versus Milwaukee before reinserting him into the rotation early next week.

Mayza (shoulder) will be shut down from throwing for roughly six weeks, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

A strained left shoulder sent Mayza to the injured list Saturday, and he appears to be in store for a multi-month absence. He'll be re-evaluated at the end of his six-week rest period, at which point he may be cleared to begin a throwing program.

The Rangers designated Pennington for assignment Wednesday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The Rangers selected Nick Ahmed to the active roster Wednesday to make up for Corey Seager's (hamstring) move to the IL, leaving Pennington as the odd man out of a spot on the 40-man. The 27-year-old southpaw hasn't appeared in a minor-league game yet this season, though other teams may be willing to pick him up off waivers based on his career 2.83 ERA and 1.17 WHIP at the Triple-A level.

Pagan worked a perfect ninth inning with no strikeouts Wednesday to record his fifth save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Marlins.

The veteran right-hander needed only nine pitches (eight strikes) to dispatch the heart of Miami's order on three fly balls to right field. Pagan continues to get the job done as Cincinnati's closer, posting a 2.38 ERA, 0.44 WHIP and 9:1 K:BB through 11.1 innings while converting five of six save chances.

Ellard (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Ellard landed on the 15-day injured list April 11 due to a right hamstring injury, and he's progressed enough in his recovery to embark on a rehab assignment with Charlotte. He logged a 5.40 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 6:4 K:BB across five innings out of the White Sox's bullpen before landing on the IL.

Imaging done on Marsh's right shoulder Tuesday was inconclusive, so he'll head back to Kansas City for further evaluation, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Marsh has been shut down from throwing since April 5 after suffering a setback in his shoulder, and he'll now have to wait a bit longer before receiving a verdict on whether he can resume his rehab program. If his next round of testing delivers promising results, the Royals aim to have him throwing again sometime this weekend.

The Angels optioned Darrell-Hicks to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

After joining the big-league squad April 11, Darrell-Hicks gave up five earned runs across 6.2 innings while striking out four batters and walking four. His poor performance will result in him heading back to the minors, though he hasn't exactly stood out in Triple-A either (9.45 ERA and 1.61 WHIP through 6.2 IP). Victor Mederos was recalled from High-A Tri-City in a corresponding move.

The Angels recalled Mederos from High-A Tri-City on Wednesday.

The Angels sent Mederos all the way down to High-A after he failed to make the big-league roster out of spring training. He has since turned in a 3.52 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with a 14:3 K:BB across 15.1 innings and will now get another look in the majors. Given the fact he's allowed 10 earned runs in just 8.1 innings during his MLB career, he'll almost certainly be limited to low-leverage situations while with the Halos.

The Angles designated Anderson for assignment Wednesday.

Anderson was acquired by the Angels in March in a trade with Atlanta. He's given up at least three earned runs in three of his seven outings with the Angels this season and has an 11.57 ERA and 2.57 WHIP across 9.1 innings. Anderson will report to Triple-A Salt Lake if he does not get claimed off waivers.

The Angels selected Edwards' contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old righty will join the active roster to replace Ian Anderson, who was designated for assignment Wednesday. Edwards has been a strong bullpen option for Salt Lake this year, logging a 1.54 ERA through 11.2 innings alongside a 13:3 K:BB. He'll likely be used in middle relief while with the Angels, and he's also capable of working multiple innings out of the bullpen.