MLB Player News

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said the team is hoping to get 80 pitches out of Rodriguez during Monday's start against the Royals, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez got stretched out to 3.2 innings and 62 pitches during spring training and did not make an appearance during the Brewers' season-opening series against the Yankees, so around 80 pitches would seem to be attainable. He could be needed for additional starts as Milwaukee navigates a multitude of pitching injuries.

The Brewers recalled Anderson from Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

The Brewers are deploying Elvin Rodriguez as an opening pitcher in Monday's game against the Royals and aren't counting on him working deep into the contest, so Anderson will provide an extra option out of a bullpen that was worked heavily in the three-game series with the Yankees over the weekend. With the Rangers a season ago, Anderson made 23 appearances and turned in an 8.10 ERA and 1.61 WHIP over 26.2 innings.

The Twins designated Dobnak for assignment Monday, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Dobnak tossed a bullpen-saving 5.1 innings of one-run ball in relief of an ineffective Bailey Ober in Sunday's loss to the Cardinals. His reward is an exit from the 26-man active roster and 40-man roster in favor of a fresh arm in Darren McCaughan, who was called up from Triple-A St. Paul.

Reds manager Terry Francona indicated recently that he prefers to use Santillan "when we need to put the fire out" earlier in games, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

Santillan pitched a scoreless eighth inning on Opening Day versus the Giants and a scoreless seventh inning Saturday, protecting a one-run lead on both occasions. While the 27-year-old looks to be Francona's most trusted reliever right now, Santillan looks like a better bet for holds than saves. Emilio Pagan appears to be the top closer option while Alexis Diaz (hamstring) is shelved.

Pagan was warming up in the bullpen in the bottom of the eighth inning of Sunday's loss to the Giants and appeared poised for a save chance had the Reds taken the lead, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

The Reds did not take the lead and Pagan did not make an appearance. However, the fact that Pagan recorded a save Saturday and was warming for a potential save Sunday suggests he is currently at the top of the team's closer hierarchy while Alexis Diaz (hamstring) is out. Tony Santillan looks to be manager Terry Francona's most trusted reliever, but Francona prefers to use Santillan "when we need to put the fire out" earlier in games.

Altavilla re-signed Sunday with the White Sox on a minor-league contract.

Chicago granted Altavilla his release last Tuesday after informing him he wouldn't be included on the Opening Day roster, and after briefly exploring his options in free agency, the right-hander ultimately decided to return to the White Sox organization. He reported to Triple-A Charlotte and struck out a batter over 1.2 perfect innings of relief Sunday in the affiliate's 9-6 win over Gwinnett.

Diaz (hamstring) is working with coaches on his mechanics, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Apparently, the hamstring injury impacted the reliever's mechanics, which led to command and control issues. "Stability with his front leg is probably the biggest thing," Cincinnati manager Terry Francona said of Diaz. "Then, incorporating that into his delivery, where that becomes comfortable and almost second nature." It's uncertain when Diaz will be ready to rejoin the team, or if he'll automatically resume his role as the team's closer.

Lopez (illness) tossed a scoreless inning in his return to the mound Sunday against the Phillies.

Lopez was not available to pitch for the Nationals' first two games of the season due to illness, per Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com. He feels good now, though, needing just five pitches to dispose of the Phillies in order during his appearance Sunday.

Hendriks (elbow) resumed playing catch Sunday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Hendriks received a cortisone shot Thursday and said he feels much better. He said the shot loosened the tension in what he called a compressed nerve. The right-hander believes he can return from the 15-day injured list around when he's first eligible April 8, but manager Alex Cora said that the Red Sox will not skip any steps in the rehab process for Hendriks, who didn't pitch for the big club and was limited to six minor-league appearances while finishing up his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

Jackson allowed a hit and a walk during a scoreless inning against Boston on Sunday. He struck out one and earned a save.

Jackson retired the first two batters he faced on just five pitches. He then coughed up a double to Jarren Duran and walked Rafael Devers before striking out Alex Bregman to close out the 3-2 victory. Jackson was roughed up in his first appearance, allowing three runs while recording only one out and taking a loss Thursday. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy showed confidence in Jackson by throwing him in save situations Friday and Sunday. Jackson converted both, leading to a 3-1 series win for Texas.