MLB Player News

Yelich was removed from Friday's game against the Orioles early due to lower-back discomfort, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

It's not immediately apparent how serious Yelich's injury is, but the decision to remove him may be precautionary, as he has dealt with back issues in the past. The veteran outfielder singled during his lone at-bat Friday during the top of first inning and was replaced on defense by Blake Perkins before the bottom half of the second.

Cardinals manager Oli Marmol said Friday that Edman (wrist) will ramp up his rehab process Monday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Edman was shut down during spring training after experiencing lingering pain in his surgically repaired right wrist. He started the season on the 10-day IL and has not yet been cleared for most baseball activities. Starting Monday, Edman and Dylan Carlson (shoulder) will hit off a tee and against soft-toss throws from coaches in the first step of their rehab process. With the Cardinals last season, Edman slashed .248/.307/.399 with 13 home runs and 47 RBI over 528 plate appearances.

Cardinals manager Oli Marmol said Friday that Carlson (shoulder) will ramp up his rehab process Monday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Carlson has not yet resumed baseball activities since receiving a cortisone injection in his left shoulder March 29. Marmol noted that Carlson and Tommy Edman (wrist) will begin their rehab process by hitting off a tee and on soft tosses from coaches. Carslon appeared in 76 games for the Cardinals last season, slashing .219/.318/.333 with five home runs and 27 RBI over 255 plate appearances.

Sewald (oblique) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Saturday's bullpen session will mark Sewald's first opportunity to throw off a mound since he suffered a Grade 2 left oblique strain in late March. He will likely require additional bullpen sessions before progressing to facing live hitters and potentially a rehab assignment in the minors, but the right-hander seems to be trending toward a return in late April. Until then, Kevin Ginkel will continue serving as Arizona's closer.

Friedl (wrist) underwent a follow-up MRI on Thursday and it was determined that he needs another 7-to-10 days of lighter activity before ramping up, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Friedl had been hoping to be cleared for more activity at this point, but he will have to wait and let his wrist bone heal a bit more before increasing the intensity of his workouts. The center fielder landed awkwardly on a diving attempt in spring training and was diagnosed with a small fracture of the distal radius of his right wrist. Despite his slower than expected progress, a move to the 60-day IL seems unlikely unless Friedl is further delayed from here.

The Padres recalled Morejon from Triple-A El Paso on Friday.

Morejon pitched two-thirds of an inning during San Diego's series in South Korea but was optioned to Triple-A ahead of its domestic opener. He's given up two runs across 6.1 minor-league frames and will now return to the Padres to provide additional bullpen depth. Pedro Avila was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

The Padres designated Avila for assignment Friday.

Avila has struggled in his four outings this season, allowing eight runs on five hits and six walks while striking out nine in eight innings over that span. In a corresponding move, the Padres recalled left-hander Adrian Morejon from Triple-A El Paso.

Rodriguez experienced further tightness in his left shoulder after throwing a bullpen session Tuesday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

The Diamondbacks have decided to pause Rodriguez's throwing program as a result of his setback. Manager Torey Lovullo said Rodriguez's no-throw period could last roughly two weeks, a week longer than the left-hander's last shutdown -- further delaying his D-backs debut and keeping Ryne Nelson and Tommy Henry in the rotation for a little while longer.

Nootbaar is starting in left field and batting sixth in Friday's game against the Diamondbacks.

After starting the season on the 10-day injured list with two fractured left ribs, Nootbaar has progressed well enough in his rehab to make his season debut Friday. Last season for the Cardinals, Nootbaar slashed .261/.367/.418 with 14 home runs and 11 steals over 503 plate appearances.

Ruiz is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Athletics, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Ruiz will miss his third game in a row due to an illness. In his absence, Riley Adams will draw the start at catcher after the Nationals optioned Drew Millas to Triple-A Rochester following Wednesday's game.