MLB Player News

Nelson (shoulder) will make a rehab appearance for Triple-A San Antonio in the second week of the minor-league season, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Nelson battled minor forearm and elbow setbacks while recovering from the shoulder surgery which cost him the entirety of 2018, leading to a trip to the injured list to start the year. Assuming he makes at least two rehab appearances, he probably won't be ready for big-league action until mid-April at the earliest.

Estevez was called up by the Rockies on Tuesday, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

Estevez is up to replace Jake McGee, who was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left knee sprain. He spent the entirety of 2018 in the minor leagues and owns a career 5.36 ERA after 87.1 innings in the two previous seasons.

Smith got the save against the Dodgers on Monday, striking out two and walking one in a scoreless ninth inning to close out the Giants' 4-2 victory.

Smith is now 2-for-2 in save opportunities to start the season and hasn't given up a run in either of his appearances. He's currently locked in as the go-to ninth inning option for the Giants, and has converted 15 of 19 save chances dating back to when he first claimed the rule partway through last season.

Pomeranz didn't factor into the decision against the Dodgers on Monday, giving up two earned runs on six hits over five innings, striking out six and walking one as the Giants eventually won 4-2.

Pomeranz labored at times, needing 90 pitches to get through his five innings, but he pitched well enough for the Giants to get the victory after his teammates got to Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly for all four of their runs on the evening. The left-hander was limited to just 74 innings with Boston last season and posted a 6.08 ERA over that time. In his first year with San Francisco, he'll look to regain something closer to his last full season of 2017, when he posted a 3.32 ERA over 173.2 innings.

Kelly took the loss and blew the save against the Giants on Monday, giving up four earned runs on four hits in his 1.2 innings, with two strikeouts and no walks in the Dodgers' 4-2 defeat.

It was another rough go for the right-hander, who allowed a home run to Brandon Belt on his first pitch before eventually getting saddled with his second blown save of the season, wasting a stellar outing from starter Julio Urias. It's been an inauspicious start to the 2019 campaign for Kelly, who was given a three-year, $25 million contract by the Dodgers over the offseason.

Strahm (0-1) took the loss against the Diamondbacks on Monday, yielding five earned runs on eight hits over just 2.2 innings, striking out two and walking three as the Padres fell 10-3.

Strahm was spectacular in spring training, leading to hope he could emerge as a sleeper candidate as part of San Diego's rotation, but he gave up a leadoff homer to Adam Jones and couldn't right the ship, eventually departing the contest without making it out of the third inning. He'll look to get on track in his next start, which will come on the road against the Cardinals on Sunday.

Iglesias (0-1) took the loss Monday as the Reds fell 4-3 to the Brewers, allowing a run on two hits and a walk in an inning of work.

Entering the game in the top of the ninth inning with the score tied 3-3, Iglesias got two quick outs before back-to-back doubles by Christian Yelich and Ryan Braun settled the affair. The right-hander has had a shaky start to the season, giving up runs in both his appearances with a 1:3 K:BB in 2.1 innings.

Hader gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Monday to record his third save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Reds.

The dominant southpaw now has an 8:0 K:BB through his first four innings of the season, while Monday's hit -- a Curt Casali double -- was the first baserunner he's allowed. Barring the addition of someone like Craig Kimbrel, Hader has the closer job in Milwaukee locked down.

Hicks (1-1) threw two scoreless innings with two strikeouts and a walk to earn a victory against the Pirates on Monday.

The Cardinals rallied from down four to send the game into extra innings. Hicks pitched the ninth and 10th, giving the Cardinals another chance to bat. Hicks also pitched Sunday, but because he threw only 11 pitches in that outing, and Tuesday is a day off, the Cardinals were willing to let him toss 32 in this victory. However, it doesn't sound like the Cardinals are going to make a habit out of letting Hicks pitch on back-to-back days this year.

Uncertainty regarding Vizcaino's shoulder could cost him save opportunities once A.J. Minter (shoulder) is activated this week, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Per Bowman, Vizcaino admitted his right shoulder began bothering him again during the final weeks of spring training. He said he felt fine this weekend, but the Braves have not had a save opportunity yet, so he has not yet made his 2019 debut. The primary concern is how durable he might be if needed to pitch back-to-back days or twice within a three-day stretch. Minter is throwing a live batting practice session Tuesday and could be activated from the IL on Thursday. Bowman went so far as to say Minter could end up being the team's primary closer once healthy.