MLB Player News

Hernandez underwent Tommy John surgery Monday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Hernandez was seen as one of the favorites to close for the Rangers this season before spraining his UCL in early March. The issue hasn't progressed as the team hoped, so he'll now miss the entirety of this season as well as roughly half of the 2022 campaign. With several other injuries striking the Rangers' bullpen, veteran Ian Kennedy has picked up the team's two saves thus far.

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.

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.

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.

Rodriguez (ankle) was expected to join the Rangers at their alternate site Sunday, Sam Blum of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Rodriguez, who got a late start to spring training due to the ankle injury, will complete the COVID-19 intake process before competing in exhibition games. He may be able to return to Texas by the end of the week.

Wittgren allowed a run on one hit and struck out one over one inning to earn a hold in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Tigers.

Wittgren worked the seventh inning and allowed a solo shot to Wilson Ramos that cut Cleveland's lead to 3-2. The 29-year-old Wittgren hasn't been busy yet this season, working 2.2 innings over three appearances. He's allowed four runs on four hits and two walks. The right-hander is part of Cleveland's closer committee, but he's been less effective on the mound than either of Emmanuel Clase or James Karinchak.

Karinchak allowed one walk and struck out three in a scoreless eighth inning to earn a hold in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Tigers.

Karinchak was effective in his inning of work despite needing 21 pitches. He's yet to allow a run in three innings this season. He's given up one hit and two walks with five strikeouts. The right-hander remains in the late-innings conversation, but he has yet to record a save. Emmanuel Clase has converted two saves and Nick Wittgren has one.