MLB Player News

Akin (groin) will begin a rehab assignment Wednesday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Akin has been shelved all season with a left groin strain but has been cleared to try things out in game action. The lefty suffered the injury late in spring training and doesn't need to rebuild much stamina as a reliever, so Akin could require only a couple rehab appearances if he looks and feels good.

The Angels optioned Farris to Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday.

The left-hander was called up by the Halos last week and had a decent showing in three appearances, allowing just one run with a 3:2 K:BB over 4.1 innings. Farris will return to Salt Lake -- where he opened the season as a starter -- but could rejoin the big club later in the campaign.

Priester (wrist) is tracking toward beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville next week, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Priester is slated to throw a two-up live batting practice session at the Brewers' spring training complex Thursday, and if that goes well he will be cleared to pitch in rehab games. Working his way back from symptoms related to thoracic outlet syndrome, Priester missed all of spring training, so he will need a few rehab outings before being considered for the Brewers' rotation.

Chourio's estimated return from a fracture in his left hand has been pushed back into early May, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The 22-year-old's fractured hand has been showing signs of healing, but he hadn't been cleared to resume hitting as of late last week. Chourio landed on the shelf just before Opening Day and was given an initial return timeline of 2-to-4 weeks, but it appears his absence will be extending beyond that. Milwaukee's outfield depth is being tested early this season, with Christian Yelich (groin) also landing on the injured list.

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.

The White Sox reinstated Pereira (ankle) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

The 25-year-old outfielder landed on the shelf in early April due to an ankle sprain, but he's ready to rejoin the White Sox after going 1-for-4 with a walk and a solo homer during his lone rehab game with Triple-A Charlotte. Pereira had a solid start to the campaign, going 4-for-16 with a homer and a double through five games, and should reclaim his role in the short side of an outfield platoon. He's batting cleanup and starting in right field Tuesday against Tampa Bay southpaw Shane McClanahan.

The White Sox placed Cannon of the 15-day injured list Tuesday with right hip inflammation.

Cannon had to be pulled from Sunday's start against the Royals due to the injury in what was his first outing of the season in the majors. The injury should heal with rest, but it's unclear when Cannon might be game-ready again, and it's not a given that he'll rejoin the big-league rotation when he's physically ready.

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 White Sox selected Schultz's contract from Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday.

Schultz is set to make his major-league debut with a start Tuesday against the Rays. The 6-foot-10 left-hander earned a promotion after a dominant start to the season with Charlotte, as he posted a 19:2 K:BB over 14 innings to go along with a 1.29 ERA. Control and injuries have been a problem at times for Schultz, but he has some of the best upside of any starting pitching prospect in baseball. He'll get an opportunity to stick around with the big club if he pitches well.

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.