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Brewers send right-hander Craig Yoho to minors while calling up Elvin Rodríguez

Sport

Brewers send right-hander Craig Yoho to minors while calling up Elvin Rodríguez
Sport

Sport

Brewers send right-hander Craig Yoho to minors while calling up Elvin Rodríguez

2025-05-04 05:12 Last Updated At:05:30

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Craig Yoho was sent to the minor leagues Saturday, two days after he walked four batters and allowed five runs in an inning of relief.

The Brewers sent Yoho to Triple-A Nashville and called up right-hander Elvin Rodríguez before their Saturday night game with the Chicago Cubs.

“Yoho is a big part of our future,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “I really think so. I think we have something there that’s pretty special. He’s an incredible kid. His first taste in the big leagues, he did some good things. We need a fresh pitcher today. It’s a good time for him to go down and get that command where he wants it.”

Yoho, 25, possesses an outstanding changeup that had enabled him to dominate in the minor leagues. He struck out nine batters and allowed only one unearned run over 9 2/3 innings at Nashville earlier this season. Last year, he recorded 101 strikeouts over 57 2/3 innings and posted an 0.94 ERA with three minor league teams.

But he wasn’t able to carry over that success to the big leagues after getting called up April 21. He had a 9.53 ERA in five relief appearances, an ERA that was inflated when he gave up five runs while recording only three outs in an 8-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Thursday.

“He can’t just rely on a changeup for a strike,” Murphy said. “He’s got to do more than that. So he’s got to locate the heater better, and it’s got to be money. He’s got to be a strike-throwing machine. And the changeup comes into play a lot better.”

Murphy remains confident Yoho will make those adjustments and become a successful major league pitcher.

“He’s the type of kid, I really think he’ll respond,” Murphy said. “I do. He’s just really locked in.”

Rodríguez, 27, returns to the majors after going 0-2 with a 7.53 in four appearances with Milwaukee earlier this season. He also has posted a 4.82 ERA in three games with Nashville.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Craig Yoho follows through on his throw to a San Francisco Giants batter during the eighth inning of a baseball game Monday, April 21, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Craig Yoho follows through on his throw to a San Francisco Giants batter during the eighth inning of a baseball game Monday, April 21, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Milwaukee Brewers' Craig Yoho pitches to a San Francisco Giants batter during the eighth inning of a baseball game Monday, April 21, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Milwaukee Brewers' Craig Yoho pitches to a San Francisco Giants batter during the eighth inning of a baseball game Monday, April 21, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Milwaukee Brewers' Craig Yoho stands on the mound before pitching in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Monday, April 21, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Milwaukee Brewers' Craig Yoho stands on the mound before pitching in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Monday, April 21, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

The first stage of Mohamed Salah’s rehabilitation at Liverpool is complete after the Egypt forward returned to the team for its 2-0 win over Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.

The question now as Salah heads off to the Africa Cup of Nations: Is there a future for him at Anfield when he comes back?

Salah, who let rip last weekend about his current frustrations at Liverpool, entered as a 26th-minute substitute to a big ovation and set up the second of Hugo Ekitike’s goals as the defending champion extended its unbeaten run to five games in all competitions.

Also Saturday, Chelsea beat Everton 2-0 and was set on its way to victory by Cole Palmer’s first goal in three months. First-place Arsenal hosts last-place Wolverhampton later.

Salah held talks with Liverpool manager Arne Slot on Friday in an effort to overcome their issues and the result was that Salah was recalled to the matchday squad for the Brighton game. He had been a substitute for the last three Premier League matches before being left at home for the midweek Champions League trip to Inter Milan as a punishment for his explosive comments to reporters last weekend.

“It was an easy decision to put him in the squad," Slot said. “I have said many times before what has been said between us will stay between us.”

Liverpool's fans demonstrated they are willing to excuse Salah for his show of anger and gave him a rapturous welcome when he came on as a substitute for the injured Joe Gomez midway through the first half.

By then, Liverpool was leading 1-0 thanks to Ekitike's rising shot inside the first minute and Salah showed glimpses of his class, especially on the counterattack. It was Salah's corner kick that was headed in by Ekitike for the second goal in the 60th, sparking another round of chants for the Egyptian.

Slot said Salah was a threat all game.

“Pleasing to see but not a surprise,” Slot said.

Salah could be away for more than a month if Egypt goes all the way in the Africa Cup.

It was a second straight start for Palmer, whose season has been blighted by a groin injury that has restricted him to seven games in all competitions.

There looked to be nothing wrong with Palmer when he ran onto Malo Gusto's pass and slipped a finish inside the near post to give Chelsea the lead in the 21st minute at Stamford Bridge.

However, Palmer said after the game that he wasn't at his best yet because he was “still dealing with an injury.”

“It’s just a matter of not doing too much too soon,” Palmer told the BBC. “Literally, it’s just a day-by-day thing. Hopefully it gets better.”

Gusto added the second goal in the 45th minute for Chelsea, which jumped to fourth place.

Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Chelsea's Cole Palmer celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Everton in London, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)

Chelsea's Cole Palmer celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Everton in London, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)

Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool fans hold placard depicting Liverpool's Mohamed Salah before the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool fans hold placard depicting Liverpool's Mohamed Salah before the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, left, challenges for the ball with Brighton's Lewis Dunk during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, left, challenges for the ball with Brighton's Lewis Dunk during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

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