FILE - Milwaukee Brewers' Elvin Rodriguez looks back during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash, FIle)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers optioned right-hander Elvin Rodriguez to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday, one day after he allowed six runs over 3 1/3 innings of relief in a 9-1 loss to the Houston Astros.

Rodriguez, 27, has an 0-2 record and 8.68 ERA in six appearances with Milwaukee this season. He has allowed seven homers in 18 2/3 innings.

While 10 other NL pitchers also had given up at least seven homers this season heading into Thursday’s games, each of the others had pitched at least 28 innings.

The Brewers also announced Thursday that right-hander Aaron Civale has been sent to Nashville for a rehabilitation assignment as he recovers from a strained left hamstring.

Civale has been on the injured list since making his lone appearance of the season in a 12-3 loss to the New York Yankees on March 30.

Pittsburgh Pirates

fire Shelton

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates fired manager Derek Shelton following a rocky opening month to the season that saw Pittsburgh quickly slip into last place in the NL Central.

General manager Ben Cherington made the announcement Thursday. Bench coach Don Kelly will take over for Shelton.

The decision comes with Pittsburgh riding a seven-game losing streak that saw its record fall to 12-26.

Shelton, hired by Cherington in November 2019 as part of a franchise-wide reset by owner Bob Nutting, went 306-440 in five-plus seasons with the Pirates.