MLB Player News

Kolek (oblique) allowed no runs on three hits and a walk over four innings during a rehab start with Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday. He struck out two.

Kolek made the first start of his rehab assignment as he works his way back from a Grade 1 left oblique strain suffered in spring training. The right-hander threw 54 pitches (36 strikes) and maintained a fastball velocity of 94.3 mph, in line with his previous levels. The 28-year-old should continue to build up his workload for another couple rehab outings before being activated from the injured list, though he may be ticketed to remain at Triple-A upon activation with no clear opening in the big-league rotation.

The Astros placed Bolton on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with mid-back inflammation, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Bolton was lifted from his previous start Sunday against the Mariners with a back issue that had lingered since his previous outing. The injury doesn't seem to be a long-term issue, but the loss of Bolton for any period of time represents yet another blow to the Astros' rotation depth.

The White Sox optioned Eisert to Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday.

Eisert spent less than a week with the big club and gave up four runs on six hits with a 2:1 K:BB in 2.1 innings. His roster spot will be taken by fellow lefty Tyler Gilbert, who will offer more length in the bullpen.

The White Sox recalled Gilbert from Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday.

Chicago will swap a pair of left-handed relievers on the active roster, as Gilbert comes up from Charlotte to replace Brandon Eisert, who was demoted to Triple-A. In addition to giving the White Sox another southpaw in the bullpen, Gilbert is capable of covering multiple innings when needed to mop up.

Pagan (hamstring) played catch and "felt pretty good," but his availability for Wednesday's game against the Giants has yet to be determined, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Pagan's hamstring tightened up throughout his relief appearance in Tuesday's 2-1 win, and he felt it grab on his final pitch. However, after seeing the doctor and receiving treatment, he feels as though he's "dodged a bullet" with the injury. Pagan will talk with the Reds staff prior to Wednesday's contest before it's determined whether he will be available to pitch. Consider him day-to-day for the time being. If Pagan isn't cleared to pitch, Tony Santillan would likely be the first choice to fill in at closer.

The Phillies placed Pop on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right calf strain.

Pop evidently suffered the injury during an opener assignment Sunday against the Diamondbacks. He will be eligible for activation April 28, but it's too soon to know whether he will be back on that date. Kyle Backhus has taken Pop's spot on the roster and in the Philadelphia bullpen.

The Phillies recalled Backhus from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.

Backhus will get the call back to Philadelphia as a replacement in the bullpen for righty Zach Pop (calf), who was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Before being sent back to Lehigh Valley last week, Backhus had yielded three earned runs on four hits and one walk while striking out four batters in three innings across his four appearances with the big club.

Scholtens is slated to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Cole Sulser in Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Initially tabbed to make his first MLB start since the 2023 season, Scholtens will instead continue to work out of the bullpen Wednesday while he essentially takes over the rotation spot of Joe Boyle, who was placed on the 15-day injured list last week due to a right elbow strain. With Boyle facing an uncertain timeline for a return and with Ryan Pepiot (hip) recently getting shuttled to the 60-day IL, Scholtens could have some staying power in the rotation if he performs up to snuff. The 32-year-old righty sparkled in long relief in his 2026 Rays debut last Wednesday against the Cubs, striking out four batters while allowing five baserunners over 4.2 scoreless frames.

Mlodzinski is expected to cover the bulk of the innings in relief behind opening pitcher Mason Montgomery in Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

Despite pitching to a 2.51 ERA over his first three starts, Mlodzinski is still in search of his first win after working fewer than five innings his first two times out and taking a no-decision in his most recent outing. With Montgomery handling the first frame or two of Wednesday's contest, Mlodzinski should have improved odds of coming away with a win while serving as the Bucs' primary pitcher out of the bullpen.

The Yankees recalled Chivilli from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday.

Acquired from the Rockies in a trade over the offseason, Chivilli has spun 8.1 scoreless innings with a 9:2 K:BB in the early going at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He's taking the roster spot vacated by Yerry De Los Santos, who was sent down to SWB after Tuesday's loss to the Angels.