MLB Player News

Yates secured the save after throwing a perfect ninth inning Monday against the Tigers. After the game, manager Bruce Bochy noted that the team likes where it's at in terms of the closer role, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Bochy went on to mention that the club will continue to weigh its options at closer, but he likes the way Yates has been throwing the ball so far this season, per McFarland. The right-hander has yet to surrender a run in six appearances, fanning five batters and walking one over six frames.

Feyereisen was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Feyereisen's stint with the big-league club lasted only a few days, as he was promoted Saturday. He didn't fare well in his second appearance of the 2024 campaign Sunday against the Padres, surrendering three runs on two hits and two walks in one-third of an inning.

Vanasco was officially recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

As anticipated, the Dodgers made this promotion official before Monday's matchup against the Nationals. J.P. Feyereisen was sent to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

O'Brien (forearm) will begin a throwing program this week, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

An MRI on O'Brien's right forearm showed no structural damage, but the team decided to shut him down for a few weeks regardless. It sounds like O'Brien is about ready to begin ramping up his throwing, and provided he avoids any setbacks, a return in mid-to-late May seems plausible. O'Brien has made single appearances in the majors each of the past three seasons, all for different teams (Reds, Mariners, Cardinals).

Vanasco is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City by the Dodgers, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Vanasco has allowed one run with an 8:6 K:BB over four relief innings with OKC this season. The 25-year-old will provide some bullpen protection for the Dodgers and will be making his major-league debut if he enters a game.

The Dodgers are expected to recall Hurt from Triple-A Oklahoma City ahead of Tuesday's game against the Nationals, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

It's not clear whether Hurt will be used as a starter or reliever, as the Dodgers have an opening in the rotation Tuesday. He made the Opening Day roster as a member of the bullpen, but the 25-year-old has mostly been a starter in the minors. He's made two starts for Oklahoma City this season, allowing three runs with an 8:4 K:BB over four innings.

Middleton (forearm) started playing catch Sunday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Middleton was diagnosed with a right forearm strain in mid-March and received a PRP injection earlier this month after he had to be pulled off his initial recovery program. The team will likely take a conservative approach with Middleton's throwing from here given the nature of the injury and the fact that he's already suffered one setback this spring. There is no set timetable for his return.

Sewald (oblique) will throw a second bullpen session Tuesday, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Sewald threw 18 pitches in his bullpen session Saturday, which was his first since being placed on the 15-day IL with a Grade 2 left oblique strain. It's unclear what the next step will be after Tuesday's session, but Sewald will presumably eventually advance to throwing live batting practice before heading out on a rehab assignment.

Bukauskas' injury has been reclassified as a right triceps strain, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Bukauskas was placed on the injured list Sunday with what had been referred to as a right lat strain, but further testing revealed the injury is actually to his triceps. There remains no timetable for his return, as more testing still needs to be done.

Duran (oblique) will throw another bullpen session Tuesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

He threw his first bullpen session since his oblique strain on Friday, and if he gets through that with no issues he could be cleared for live batting practice sessions. Duran would figure to require at least a couple live BP sessions before beginning a rehab assignment.