MLB Player News

The Rays released Olivares on April 11.

Olivares attended spring training with Tampa Bay as a non-roster invitee but ended up beginning the season at Triple-A Durham after failing to win a reserve outfield spot on the Rays' Opening Day roster. The 30-year-old went just 1-for-9 with six strikeouts over three games for Durham prior to being cut loose.

Rice will start at first base and bat third in Tuesday's contest against the Red Sox.

It's left-hander Connelly Early on the bump for the Red Sox, marking the lefty-swinging Rice's fourth straight start versus a southpaw. In the Yankees' first three games against lefties this season, Rice started just once. The 27-year-old will carry a four-game home run streak into Tuesday's series opener.

The Yankees transferred Volpe's (shoulder) rehab assignment from Double-A Somerset to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old shortstop began the rehab stint April 14 and went 4-for-11 with a walk, two stolen bases and three strikeouts in four games with Somerset. Volpe will now move up to the highest level of the minors as he enters the final stage of his rehab program after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. He should be ready to rejoin the Yankees after playing in a handful of games at Triple-A, so he should be back from the IL in the next week or two.

Snell (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Ontario on Wednesday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Snell has finally been cleared to pitch in a game after completing a live batting practice session last week. The left-hander will likely need most, if not all, of the allotted 30 days on his rehab assignment, which would set him up for a season debut in mid-to-late May. Snell is coming back from left shoulder fatigue.

Wong is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Yankees, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

It's the third straight game on the bench for Wong after he started the previous three contests. The 29-year-old's .885 OPS in 27 plate appearances this year is far superior to Carlos Narvaez's .542 mark, though Narvaez now appears to have the upper hand for playing time again after a strong couple games at the plate.

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

Rangel has made four starts for Lehigh Valley this season, turning in a 1.66 ERA and 18:10 K:BB over 21.2 frames. The right-hander will offer the Phillies' bullpen some protection, but his stay in the big leagues could be brief.

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

Johnson made two scoreless appearances during his most recent stint in the majors. However, he pitched each of the previous two days, so the Phillies will replace him with a fresh bullpen arm.

Narvaez is starting behind the plate and batting ninth Tuesday against the Yankees, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

After recently finding himself on the bench for three straight contests, Narvaez returned to the starting nine the past two days and went 3-for-6 with a walk, two doubles and a stolen base to earn a third consecutive start Tuesday. Connor Wong has still been much better offensively with an .885 OPS in 27 plate appearances, but it appears Narvaez has reasserted his position for the starting job.

The Astros designated Roa for assignment Tuesday.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Daniel Johnson. Roa holds a 5.19 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and 6:7 K:BB across 8.2 innings at the major-league level this season and has a good chance of passing through waivers.

The Astros selected Johnson's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday.

Johnson was signed to a minor-league deal Sunday and will be added to the big-league roster after just one game with Sugar Land. The 30-year-old outfielder is a career .196/.243/.322 hitter over parts of four big-league seasons. Johnson could see a bit of playing time as the Astros navigate multiple injuries in their outfield.