MLB Player News

Stewart (shoulder) is beginning a rehab assignment with Single-A Ontario on Tuesday.

Tuesday's action will be Stewart's first in a game since his short rehab assignment in September. Seemingly on pace in his recovery as of Tuesday, the right-hander may join the Dodgers' bullpen before the end of the month.

The Cubs recalled Little from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.

Little boasts a 2.80 ERA with 44 strikeouts over 35.1 innings at the big-league level, but he's also issued 28 walks. Those control problems remained present in his first five outings with Iowa, as he had a 9:10 K:BB over 7.2 frames. It's unlikely Little will be trusted with high-leverage innings, but the Cubs were in need of fresh bullpen arms.

The Cubs placed Roberts on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with an undisclosed injury.

It's unclear what injury Roberts is dealing with, but it will cost him at least the next couple weeks of action. The right-hander has made three scoreless appearances out of the Cubs' bullpen this season.

The Phillies recalled Shugart from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.

The right-hander missed out on the Opening Day roster but will round out Philadelphia's bullpen following the demotion of Seth Johnson. Shugart had a 3.40 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 31:17 K:BB across 45 innings out of the bullpen for the Pirates last season.

The Phillies optioned Johnson to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.

Johnson's stint in the big leagues lasted only one day. He was tagged for five runs (three earned) over 1.2 innings in Monday's win over the Cubs. Johnson is being replaced on the roster by Chase Shugart, who will give the Phillies a fresh bullpen arm.

Poulin will serve as the Nationals' opening pitcher for Tuesday's game in Pittsburgh, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Miles Mikolas had been in line to start Tuesday, but after he allowed 19 runs (17 earned) in 12.1 innings through his first three outings of the season, the Nationals will instead deploy him in bulk relief behind Poulin with the hope that the arrangement yields better results. Poulin will be opening a game for the second time this season, after he previously tossed a scoreless frame March 31 against the Phillies. Like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh typically features two left-handed batters (Oneil Cruz and Brandon Lowe) in its top three lineup spots, so having the left-handed Poulin open the game could help the Nationals avoid falling into an early hole.

Lopez will start Tuesday's game against the Marlins at Truist Park after completing his five-game suspension.

During his most recent start April 7, Lopez was ejected midway through the fifth inning for throwing at Jorge Soler and exchanging punches with the Angels designated hitter. Lopez was handed a seven-game suspension a day later, but he quickly reached a settlement with Major League Baseball on a five-game ban, which he began serving immediately. Due to an off day last Thursday, Atlanta was able to get by temporarily with four starters, so Lopez didn't end up missing a turn through the rotation.

The Cubs recalled Rolison from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register reports.

It's unclear what the corresponding roster move will be, but with Matthew Boyd (biceps) expected back next week and Javier Assad struggling Monday versus the Phillies, it could be Assad being sent down. Rolison finished with a 7.02 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 25:20 K:BB across 42.1 innings with the Rockies last season.

The Brewers transferred Zastryzny (shoulder/ribs) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Greg Jones. Zastryzny began the season on the IL with a shoulder strain before suffering an intercostal strain on his rehab assignment. The latter injury would appear to be the bigger issue now, and it will keep him out at least until late May.

Gerber struck out five and gave up two hits and a walk over two scoreless innings of relief in Monday's loss to the Dodgers.

Making his first appearance since being added to the big-league roster Sunday, Gerber fired 31 of 47 pitches for strikes in an impressive performance for a Mets team that's looking for any kind of spark right now. The 28-year-old right-hander may have earned himself a longer look with the effort, but Gerber is likely to bounce between the Mets and Triple-A Syracuse all season as a lower-leverage option with a minor-league option remaining.