MLB Player News

Nelson (shoulder) is expected to make one more appearance at extended spring training before heading to Triple-A San Antonio, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Nelson was able to pitch briefly in spring training but remained in Arizona for the beginning of the season to continue building up his arm strength after missing the entirety of 2018. It remains unclear how many starts the 29-year-old is expected to make for San Antonio before returning to the majors.

Hoffman is expected to be called up to start Wednesday against the Braves, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Hoffman is expected to start in place of Tyler Anderson, who is on the injured list due to left knee inflammation. He hasn't been officially called up yet, as the Rockies may be waiting to see whether or not inclement weather in Wednesday's forecast will allow the game to be played.

Chargois was recalled by the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Chargois is up to replace Hyun-Jin Ryu, who was placed on the injured list with a groin strain in a corresponding move. The 28-year-old pitched 32.1 innings of relief for the Dodgers last season, recording a 3.34 ERA while striking out 29.6 percent of opposing batters.

Robertson pitched around a two-out single to throw a scoreless eighth inning Monday against the Nationals, striking out one batter.

Robertson appears to be back on track after three ugly outings to start the season, not allowing a run in any of his last three trips to the mound. Neither he nor Seranthony Dominguez has a save yet this season, with the team's first two going to Hector Neris and Pat Neshek. That's likely an indication of things to come, as manager Gabe Kapler will continue to use his most trusted relievers in high-leverage situations regardless of the inning.

Dominguez threw a scoreless sixth inning Monday against the Nationals, striking out one batter and not allowing a single baserunner.

Most assumed the primary option for saves in Philadelphia would be either Dominguez or David Robertson, but it's been Hector Neris and Pat Neshek who have picked up the team's first two saves this season. Dominguez's usage in the sixth inning doesn't appear to be a demotion for his early struggles, however, as it was still a high-leverage appearance, with the game tied and the top of the Nationals' order due up. Expect Dominguez to continue to be used in high-leverage spots going forward, only picking up saves when those spots happen to come in the ninth inning. Encouragingly, his fastball velocity averaged 98.2 mph Tuesday, a tick up from where it had been in his first three appearances of the season and in line with where he sat last year.

Yates walked one and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Monday to record his sixth save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Giants.

The 32-year-old has been as dominant as anticipated to begin the season, posting a 1.29 ERA and 11:2 K:BB through his first seven innings while converting all six of his save chances. Yates doesn't have the track record of some other elite closing options, but he could well finish the season as the most valuable ninth-inning man in the league.

Minter allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth inning during Monday's 8-6 win over the Rockies.

It was a promising outing after Minter allowed two runs and took a loss his last time out. The lefty will continue splitting save chances with Arodys Vizcaino, who didn't pitch Monday after he blew a save and earned a victory Sunday.

Reyes allowed two walks over two-thirds of an inning in Triple-A Memphis' loss to Omaha on Monday.

Reyes got just 10 of 21 pitches into the strike zone against the four hitters he faced. The hard-throwing 24-year-old was officially optioned to Memphis on Sunday after issuing six free passes over just three innings to open the season. He'll primarily be utilized in relief with the Redbirds, although he could occasionally start if necessary to keep him on schedule.

Hicks picked up the save against the Dodgers on Monday, working around a walk to post a scoreless ninth inning and close out a 4-3 victory for the Cardinals. He struck out one.

It was the second save of the season for the 22-year-old, who needed 14 pitches to successfully protect this one-run lead and close out the victory. He had one rough outing against the Brewers on March 31, giving up three hits and two earned runs while recording just one out and blowing the save, but he hasn't given up any runs in any of his other four appearances. Hicks should continue to see the majority of the save opportunities for the Cardinals.

Kelly got the loss and another blown save in Monday's 4-3 loss to the Cardinals, giving up one earned run on two hits in his one inning of work. He walked one and didn't log a strikeout.

Kelly's nightmare start to the 2019 campaign continued in this contest, as he was saddled with the loss and his third blown save in five appearances after giving up a game-tying RBI single to Jose Martinez. He simply hasn't been able to get on track to start the season, as he's now given up 12 hits and nine earned runs in just six innings.