MLB Player News

Simpson (elbow) is expected to throw a bullpen session later this week, MLB.com reports.

Simpson opened the season on the 15-day injured list while recovering from left elbow neuritis, but he appeared in line for close to a minimum-length stay on the shelf after he was able to begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Jupiter on April 6. However, he experienced a setback during that one-inning outing and hasn't pitched since. The setback doesn't appear to be a major one given that Simpson should get back on the mound soon, but he still may be around a week away from restarting his rehab assignment.

Edwards (foot) is healing up after a recent follow-up appointment with a podiatrist, but he remains without a clear timeline to resume baseball activities, MLB.com reports.

Edwards didn't appear in any Grapefruit League games after March 5, but he resumed hitting and throwing at the Marlins' spring training complex in late March before he was later revealed to be dealing with a foot infection. He's been shut down from activities ever since, but after his recent appointment was apparently positive, he could be cleared to start working out again soon. Edwards likely won't be ready to return from the 10-day injured list for at least another couple of weeks.

Yarbrough could be deployed as a bulk reliever in Tuesday's game against the Nationals or work as a multi-inning option as part of a bullpen day, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

In an effort to keep rookie Yoshinobu Yamamoto on his normal schedule of five days' rest between starts, the Dodgers look to set to run with a six-man rotation this week. Since Walker Buehler (elbow) won't be ready to return from the 15-day injured list until next week and after Bobby Miller (shoulder) landed on the shelf over the weekend, the Dodgers will add two new pitchers to the rotation Tuesday and Wednesday. Yarbrough last pitched Friday, but he covered just one inning in relief and should be capable of covering four or five frames Tuesday, if needed to do so. The Dodgers are also planning to call up Kyle Hurt from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday to offer some extra length, so both Yarbrough and Hurt could be called upon to cover multiple innings if Los Angeles elects to use another reliever to open the game.

The Dodgers are expected to recall Pages from Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to Tuesday's game against the Nationals, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Pages, 23, is off to a scorching start at Oklahoma City, slashing .371/.452/.694 with five home runs and 15 RBI. Jason Heyward has had trouble getting over the hump with his back injury, so Pages could receive regular reps in a corner-outfield spot while Heyward recuperates. The right-handed hitter can also handle center field, so he would be an option to start at that position versus left-handed pitching on days the lefty-hitting James Outman is out of the lineup.

McNeil went 0-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base in Monday's win over the Pirates.

The 32-year-old sparked a game-winning rally in the eighth inning by getting to first base after a third strike wild pitch by Aroldis Chapman, eventually stealing third and coming around to score on a Harrison Bader double. The stolen base was McNeil's first of the season, but he has yet to get going at the plate, slashing just .204/.328/.286 through 15 games with a homer, five RBI and eight runs.

Lindor went 2-for-4 with a walk, a double and a run scored in Monday's win over the Pirates.

It's been a tough start to the campaign for the shortstop, but Lindor is beginning to come around. He's delivered back-to-back two-hit games, and over the last eight contests he's batting .257 (9-for-35) with two doubles, a homer, four RBI, six runs and a sharp 4:1 BB:K.

Ottavino (1-0) struck out two in a perfect eighth inning Monday to record a win over the Pirates.

The veteran right-hander fired 11 pitches (nine strikes) while shutting down the heart of Pittsburgh's order and preserving a 3-3 tie, and the Mets broke the game open in the bottom half of the inning. Ottavino has had an impressive start to the season, racking up a 12:0 K:BB through seven innings with a 2.57 ERA and 0.57 WHIP, and he has two holds in addition to Monday's win as one of Edwin Diaz's primary setup men.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said April 6 that Cavalli (elbow) is expected to begin facing live hitters at some point this month, MLB.com reports.

Throwing live batting practice sessions would mark a step forward in Cavalli's recovery from his March 2023 Tommy John surgery, as the right-hander had been limited to tossing bullpen sessions during spring training. Cavalli will likely face live hitters in controlled settings for a few weeks before eventually heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment that will likely last for most of the 30-day rehab window. Cavalli opened the season on the 60-day injured list and isn't on track to make his 2024 debut until at least late May, though a June return is probably more realistic.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said April 8 that Robles has regained full range of motion and has less tenderness in his strained left hamstring, but the outfielder remains limited to rehab work, MLB.com reports.

Robles has already spent the minimum 10 days on the injured list but doesn't appear close to a return from the shelf just yet, as he has yet to advance to resuming full baseball activities. At this stage of his recovery, Robles doesn't look like he'll be a realistic candidate to be activated until May. While Robles is sidelined, Jacob Young is expected to continue seeing regular run as the Nationals' primary option in center field.

Chisholm went 2-for-4 with a stolen base in Monday's loss to the Giants.

The 26-year-old has heated up quickly. Chisholm began the season with a 3-for-23 stretch, but over nine games since he's batting .324 (11-for-34) with a homer, four RBI, four runs and four steals in four attempts. Chisholm is also showing a lot more patience, drawing nine walks already this year for a 13.6 percent walk rate -- double his 6.8 percent mark from 2023. If that improved plate discipline holds up, it could signal a breakout campaign is coming.