MLB Player News

The Angels optioned Farris to Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday.

The left-hander was called up by the Halos last week and had a decent showing in three appearances, allowing just one run with a 3:2 K:BB over 4.1 innings. Farris will return to Salt Lake -- where he opened the season as a starter -- but could rejoin the big club later in the campaign.

The Phillies recalled Shugart from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.

The right-hander missed out on the Opening Day roster but will round out Philadelphia's bullpen following the demotion of Seth Johnson. Shugart had a 3.40 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 31:17 K:BB across 45 innings out of the bullpen for the Pirates last season.

The Phillies optioned Johnson to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.

Johnson's stint in the big leagues lasted only one day. He was tagged for five runs (three earned) over 1.2 innings in Monday's win over the Cubs. Johnson is being replaced on the roster by Chase Shugart, who will give the Phillies a fresh bullpen arm.

Poulin will serve as the Nationals' opening pitcher for Tuesday's game in Pittsburgh, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Miles Mikolas had been in line to start Tuesday, but after he allowed 19 runs (17 earned) in 12.1 innings through his first three outings of the season, the Nationals will instead deploy him in bulk relief behind Poulin with the hope that the arrangement yields better results. Poulin will be opening a game for the second time this season, after he previously tossed a scoreless frame March 31 against the Phillies. Like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh typically features two left-handed batters (Oneil Cruz and Brandon Lowe) in its top three lineup spots, so having the left-handed Poulin open the game could help the Nationals avoid falling into an early hole.

The Red Sox optioned Samaniego to Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

The left-hander was called up by Boston last week and delivered three scoreless appearances with a 4:3 K:BB in three outings, but he'll be the odd man out of the bullpen with Jack Anderson being promoted Tuesday. Samaniego spent most of last season at the Double-A level and had a 3.38 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 30:6 K:BB across 26.1 innings. He seems likely to get another look in Boston this season after pitching well in his first taste of the big leagues.

White Sox director of pitching Brian Bannister said Tuesday during an appearance on the Mully & Haugh Show that Taylor will continue to get more stretched out with each appearance if he continues to be deployed as an opener.

Taylor has started in four of his last five outings, working 1.1 innings Thursday and two innings Sunday after logging exactly one inning in his first five appearances. The 27 pitches he tossed Sunday are the most he's thrown this season, so he's still not close to being built up enough to go five-plus innings. That said, it's easy to get excited about Taylor's potential if he ends up being used like a true starting pitcher. Taylor has a 1.08 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB in 8.1 innings this season.

Lopez will start Tuesday's game against the Marlins at Truist Park after completing his five-game suspension.

During his most recent start April 7, Lopez was ejected midway through the fifth inning for throwing at Jorge Soler and exchanging punches with the Angels designated hitter. Lopez was handed a seven-game suspension a day later, but he quickly reached a settlement with Major League Baseball on a five-game ban, which he began serving immediately. Due to an off day last Thursday, Atlanta was able to get by temporarily with four starters, so Lopez didn't end up missing a turn through the rotation.

The Cubs recalled Rolison from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register reports.

It's unclear what the corresponding roster move will be, but with Matthew Boyd (biceps) expected back next week and Javier Assad struggling Monday versus the Phillies, it could be Assad being sent down. Rolison finished with a 7.02 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 25:20 K:BB across 42.1 innings with the Rockies last season.

Scholtens is slated to start Wednesday's game against the White Sox in Chicago.

The 32-year-old righty will be making his first start in the majors since 2023, facing off against the team with whom he initially broke into the big leagues. He'll be taking over the rotation spot that previously belonged to Joe Boyle (elbow), who was placed on the injured list last week. Scholtens' lone prior appearance with Tampa Bay came against the Cubs last Wednesday, when he struck out four over 4.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen.

Royals president of baseball operations J.J. Picollo said Tuesday on 96.5 The Fan that he's hopeful Estevez (foot) will be ready to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha within the next five days.

Working his way back from a left foot contusion, Estevez resumed throwing off a mound last week, and it appears he could be ready to pitch in rehab games before the end of this week. The Royals want Estevez to be healthy but also to rediscover some lost velocity, so the reliever might stay on a rehab assignment until he gets into a groove. Lucas Erceg has gone 5-for-5 in save chances for the Royals and could keep the closer job even after Estevez returns.