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MLB Daily Dish April 22: Clayton Kershaw, Michael Cuddyer, Bobby Abreu, Wandy Rodriguez

Each weekday morning, we'll provide you with a recap of everything you need to know transaction-wise from yesterday in the baseball world. Injuries, rumors, signings and more–you'll find them all right here.

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Injuries

  • The Pittsburgh Pirates placed starter Wandy Rodriguez on the 15-day DL after the left-hander was diagnosed with right knee inflammation, according to a team announcement. In a corresponding move, the Pirates recalled Jared Hughes to replace Rodriguez on the roster. Rodriguez, who has a 7.65 ERA over four starts this season, has proven to be one of the more consistent pitchers in the majors over the past six seasons. He went 6-4 with a 3.59 ERA last season before being shut down with elbow tendinitis.
  • The Houston Astros placed right-handed starter Scott Feldman on the 15-day DL, retroactive to April 18, with bicep tendinitis, the team announced. Feldman, who recently spent time on the bereavement list due to the unexpected death of his father, has a 1.69 ERA this season across 26.2 innings. The Astros will officially recall right-hander Collin McHugh tomorrow to replace Feldman.

Roster Moves

  • The New York Mets purchased the contract of 40-year-old outfielder Bobby Abreu from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday, according to a team announcement. Abreu will have to compete with fellow outfielders Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Andrew Brown for playing time off the bench, with Curtis Granderson, Chris Young and Eric Young manning the three starting spots.
  • The Milwaukee Brewers recalled right-hander Alfredo Figaro from Triple-A Nashville, the team announced. In a corresponding move, Milwaukee optioned reliever Rob Wooten to Nashville to make room for Figaro on the roster. Figaro appeared in 33 contests last season, including five starts, posting a 3-3 record along with a 4.14 ERA. According to Jason Paczkowski of Brew Crew Ball, Figaro will come in with a fresh arm, and he's also capable of going multiple innings at a time, with the ability to give the 'pen a much-needed break.
  • The New York Yankees optioned Matt Daley to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the team announced. Daley, a right-handed reliever with a 4.72 career ERA, has allowed six runs (four earned) in 1.1 innings this season.
  • The Cleveland Indians optioned right-hander Blake Wood to Triple-A Columbus to make room for designated hitter Jason Giambi, who the team activated off the 15-day DL, according to a team announcement. Appearing in his first game of the season on Monday, Giambi went 0-for-4 in the Indians' 4-3 victory over the Royals.
  • The Kansas City Royals optioned left-hander Justin Marks to Triple-A Omaha while activating center fielder Jarrod Dyson from the bereavement list, according to a team announcement.
  • The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned utilityman Chone Figgins to Triple-A Albuquerque while recalling right-handed reliever Jose Dominguez from Triple-A, the team announced.

Rumors

  • The Boston Red Sox sent third baseman Will Middlebrooks on a rehab assignment to Triple-A Pawtucket, according to a team announcement. The Sox recently signed utilityman Ryan Roberts to replace Middlebrooks, the latter of whom hasn't played since April 4, but Roberts managed just two hits in 19 at-bats before being designated for assignment. In the move that sent Roberts down, the Sox called up Brock Holt, a 25-year-old infielder who has gone 4-for-10 with a pair of RBI this season. According to a report by MassLive.com's Jason Mastrodonato, Middlebrooks is on track to return to action within the week:

Middlebrooks is expected to play Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, with a possible return next weekend, should everything progress normally. Middlebrooks said this week that his injured calf has been healing regularly. He's been healthy enough to crush balls in batting practice.

Signings

Miscellaneous

  • Philadelphia Phillies starter Cliff Lee pitched eight shutout innings, striking out 10 and allowing just four hits as the Phillies blanked the Dodgers, 7-0.
  • Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon hit a pair of home runs as the Rockies downed the San Francisco Giants, 8-2.