MLB Player News

Yelich (groin) is expected to be sidelined until mid- to late-May, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Yelich landed on the 10-day injured list earlier Tuesday with a left adductor strain, and it appears he's looking at a 4-to-6 week absence. It's a significant loss for the Brewers and for fantasy managers that used a top-100 pick on Yelich this spring. Gary Sanchez is in line for the bulk of the reps at designated hitter for now while Yelich is out, though Andrew Vaughn (hand) and Jake Bauers could share first base and DH once Vaughn is healthy.

Mikolas is expected to serve as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher PJ Poulin in Tuesday's game in Pittsburgh, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

The Pirates typically roll out a starting lineup featuring two left-handed hitters (Oneil Cruz and Brandon Lowe) with OPSes north of 1.000 in the top two spots, so the Nationals will hope to neutralize them or force Pittsburgh to alter its batting order by having the left-handed Poulin begin the game. Poulin is unlikely to cover more than an inning or two before giving way to Mikolas, who should get a softer landing to begin his appearance by facing the back end of the Pittsburgh lineup. Mikolas struggled mightily through in first three starts with Washington, giving up 19 runs (17 earned) on 22 hits and seven walks over 12.1 innings.

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.

Friedl is not in the lineup for Tuesday's contest against the Giants.

Friedl was in the lineup each of the first two times the Reds faced a lefty this season, but in the two games versus lefties since then, he's been out of the starting nine. The righty-swinging Dane Myers will patrol center field and bat leadoff in Friedl's stead.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Tuesday that Lodolo (finger) could face hitters Friday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Lodolo has thrown a couple bullpen sessions since he had to be pulled off his rehab assignment following a setback with the blister on his left index finger. He has not thrown breaking balls during those sessions, however, and re-incorporating those pitches will be a big test for his blister. If Lodolo does face hitters Friday and gets through that step without issues, he could be cleared to resume a rehab assignment.

Level is hitting .519 with two home runs and three steals in six games for Single-A San Jose.

Level excelled in the Arizona Complex League last year (121 wRC+) but struggled a little after a bump to Single-A (89 wRC+). This early start is obviously unsustainable (.632 BABIP), but it's a sign that Level is more than ready for a return to the California League.

Triple-A Nashville placed Black on the 7-day injured list April 8 with an undisclosed injury.

Black had his best big-league camp to date, logging a 1.522 OPS with three steals in six games, but he landed on the IL shortly after getting demoted to Triple-A to start the season. He slashed .269/.387/.385 with one home run and one steal in seven games while playing left field (five games), right field (one game) and first base (one game). In the past, Black has missed time with a broken hamate and a broken thumb, but it's unclear how long he'll be out this time.

Burke has a .289/.372/.789 slash line with six home runs, three steals, a 9.3 percent walk rate and a 25.6 percent strikeout rate in nine games for Double-A Biloxi.

Burke leads all hitters below Triple-A with six homers, and while it may seem logical to bump the 22-year-old first baseman to Triple-A, the Brewers already have notable first-base prospects Brock Wilken, Luke Adams and Tyler Black on the Triple-A Nashville roster. Even so, Burke's production dating back to last year (177 wRC+ in 37 games at Double-A) is more impressive than what the trio blocking him have put together, so he should get the bump in competition one way or another in the coming weeks.