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

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 Colorado Rockies placed outfielder Michael Cuddyer on the 15-day DL, retroactive to April 18, with a left hamstring strain, per a team announcement. The Rockies recalled infielder Charlie Culberson from Triple-A Colorado Springs in a corresponding move. In 67 plate appearance this season, Cuddyer had posted a .317/.373/.533 slash line befor being placed on the disabled list.

Must Reads

Clayton Kershaw cruises through simulated game

Tyler Drenon

Kershaw could be nearing a rehab assignment after a problem-free simulated game at Dodger Stadium.

New York will promote 40-year old Bobby Abreu

Tyler Drenon

Abreu could use this as an opportunity to prove he can still play at the highest level.

Must Reads

Clayton Kershaw cruises through simulated game New York will promote 40-year old Bobby Abreu

• 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.

Rumors

• Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw pitched a simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, via ESPN Los Angeles' Anthony Witrado. Kershaw reported no issues, reaching 90 MPH with his fastball and throwing all of his pitches. He'll return to action after at least one rehab assignment, though the Dodgers are reportedly not going to rush back their treasured ace, especially in light of his long-term contract extension this offseason.

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Bobby Abreu: Can He Still Contribute?

Jasper Scherer

He's 40 years old and hasn't played a full season in the majors since 2011, but Bobby Abreu is still Bobby Abreu. Can he make an impact for the offense-challenged New York Mets this season?

What Davis Trade Means For Polanco

Josh Duggan

Sitting in third, six games back, Huntington and the Pirates may be forced to break character and call up Gregory Polanco six weeks earlier than they would prefer.

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Bobby Abreu: Can He Still Contribute? What Davis Trade Means For Polanco

• 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.