MLB Player News

Johnson won't start as scheduled Sunday against the Mariners due to an illness, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

Johnson's second start of the season will be pushed back since he's feeling under the weather. George Klassen will instead take the mound for the Angels in the series finale.

The Astros placed Brown on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right shoulder strain.

The right-hander presumably sustained the injury during his previous start versus Boston on Tuesday, when he picked up his first win of the season after striking out eight and giving up one run on a hit and two walks over six innings. Brown will be eligible to be reinstated in mid-April, but it wouldn't be surprising if a shoulder issue necessitates a longer absence. The loss of Brown is a huge loss to the Astros and fantasy managers after the right-hander opened the campaign in dominant form, allowing just one run with a 17:6 K:BB in his first two starts.

Lewis is not starting Sunday versus Tampa Bay.

Lewis will open the game on the bench after starting Minnesota's first eight games of the campaign. He's batting just .167 so far, though he's belted two homers, collected five RBI and stolen one base. Tristan Gray is getting a start at the hot corner in Lewis' stead.

Jansen isn't in the Rangers' starting lineup Sunday versus the Reds.

Jansen started behind the plate each of Texas' past four games, and he'll get a well-deserved rest Sunday. The veteran catcher has performed well to begin the season, slashing .250/.250/.458 with a home run and six RBI through 24 plate appearances. Kyle Higashioka is behind the dish for the Rangers in Sunday's series finale.

Jung isn't starting Sunday versus Cincinnati.

Jung will get the day off after starting seven of Texas' first eight games. He's struggled to begin the campaign, slashing .143/.172/.143 with one RBI and a 1:8 BB:K. Ezequiel Duran is manning the hot corner for Texas on Sunday.

Boston is expecting Whitlock (paternity leave) to return to the team Monday, Chris Henrique of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

Whitlock has been away from the team since Friday while welcoming his second child into the world. The righty reliever should be back with Boston for the team's series opener at home versus Milwaukee. Whitlock has yet to give a up a run through three outings spanning three innings this season.

Rodon (elbow/hamstring) experienced "some soreness" following his workout Saturday, but manager Aaron Boone said that the soreness is "to be expected," Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Rodon is continuing to work his way back from both offseason elbow surgery and a recent battle with right hamstring tightness. The veteran pitcher's workout Saturday consisted of a bullpen and agility work, and though he felt some soreness, it doesn't appear the issue will set him back. Rodon is next expected to throw another side session before potentially beginning a minor-league rehab stint.

Texas recalled Curvelo from Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.

Curvelo wasn't able to break camp with the Rangers, but he'll now get a look in the bullpen after Carter Baumler landed on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right intercostal strain. In his first big-league stint last season, Curvelo tossed 19 innings over 17 appearances and posted a 5.68 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 20:10 K:BB while picking up two holds. He'll likely take on a low-leverage role.

The Rangers placed Baumler on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right intercostal strain.

Baumler had his best outing of the season Saturday versus Cincinnati, striking out one batter in one perfect inning, but he apparently was injured in the process. The right-hander will consequently need to miss at least a couple weeks. Texas recalled reliever Luis Curvelo from Triple-A Round Rock to take Baumler's place in the bullpen.

Toronto optioned Little to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

Little has had a disastrous start to the campaign, allowing 10 earned runs and giving up three homers while posting a 6:3 K:BB over 3.2 innings across five appearances. He was a big piece of the team's bullpen while working in a high-leverage role last season, so Little will presumably be given another chance with the big-league club if he's able to work out his issues with Buffalo. The Blue Jays selected the contracts of two relievers -- Austin Voth and Joe Mantiply -- among a series of transactions Sunday.