MLB Player News

Rogers pitched a scoreless eighth inning with one walk to earn a hold in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Reds.

Rogers is flourishing as setup man to closer Jake McGee. The 30-year-old Rogers collected his fourth hold in the last five days, so he could see his workload managed in the near future. He's pitched to a 1.13 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 7:3 K:BB and six holds across eight innings overall. The sidearm pitcher won't blow batters away with velocity, but he's been effective nonetheless.

Alzolay will likely be recalled when the Cubs need a fifth starter next weekend against the Brewers, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

The Cubs have an odd setup at the moment, with the date of Kyle Hendricks' (illness) next start to be determined while Alec Mills hangs around the rotation picture, at least in the short term. Alzolay will pitch at the alternate site Sunday, so he would likely slot back into the rotation Friday or Saturday of next week at home against Milwaukee, if he does indeed get slotted back into the rotation. He has only faced the Brewers this season, so it will be a familiar matchup, but Milwaukee has gotten the better of him so far, scoring seven earned runs in 10.1 innings.

Johnson (groin) was reinstated from the injured list prior to Wednesday's game against the Pirates.

Johnson broke out last season, logging a 2.70 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 27 strikeouts in 20 innings (24 appearances). Unfortunately, in this bullpen, he is closer to middle relief than the closer's role.

Martin (shoulder) has not begun throwing and does not have a timetable for return, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

He has been rehabbing his shoulder inflammation, but it is unclear when he will be able to start a throwing program. Will Smith hasn't necessarily been lights out as Atlanta's closer -- he is 2-for-2 on save chances but also has two losses and a 5.40 ERA through six appearances. Nobody appears ready to challenge Smith for saves at this juncture, however.

The Reds officially moved Jose De Leon to the bullpen Wednesday, which means that Hoffman will remain in the rotation, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Neither Hoffman nor De Leon pitched well over the weekend against the Diamondbacks, but the presumed favorite prior to the weekend was Hoffman. The decision was necessitated by the return of Sonny Gray from the IL. Hoffman could have some security in the role with Michael Lorenzen being placed on the 60-day DL, but it's still also possible that Tejay Antone, who threw 60 pitches in his last relief outing, could ultimately start.

Johnson (groin) will likely be activated from the 10-day injured list Wednesday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Johnson was diagnosed with a Grade 1 groin strain in mid-March but has been pitching in games at the team's alternate training site recently. The right-hander made 24 relief appearances for the Padres in 2020 and posted a 2.70 ERA and 27:9 K:BB in 20 innings.

Betances (shoulder) has yet to resume throwing since being placed on the 10-day injured list April 8, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The Mets aren't planning on having Betances travel with the team during its upcoming six-game road trip that concludes April 22, so he'll remain on the shelf beyond the minimum 10 days. A target date for Betances' return is unlikely to emerge until he gets back on a mound.

De Leon will pitch out of the bullpen going forward, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

De Leon served as a member of the starting rotation for his first two appearances and posted a 7.71 ERA and 18:5 K:BB in 9.1 innings to begin the year. However, manager David Bell confirmed Wednesday that De Leon will move to a relief role since Sonny Gray (back) is slated to make his season debut Saturday. De Leon is unlikely to factor into high-leverage situations in the near future.

Davidson was recalled by Atlanta on Wednesday.

Davidson was sent to Triple-A Gwinnett in mid-March but will join the major-league bullpen after left-hander Max Fried (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday. Davidson allowed two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out two in 1.2 innings during his lone major-league start in 2020.

Miller's contract was selected by the Cubs on Wednesday, Russell Dorsey of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Miller was reassigned to minor-league camp late in spring training this year, but manager David Ross was confident that the right-hander would still contribute in 2021. Adbert Alzolay was optioned to the Cubs' alternate training site Wednesday, so Miller will join the major-league club. Miller served as a swingman for the Rangers in 2019 and posted an 8.59 ERA and 1.98 WHIP in 44 innings during 19 appearances (eight starts). Miller will likely serve as a reliever for the Cubs going forward, while Alec Mills appears likely to serve as the team's fifth starter.