MLB Player News

General manager Jeff Luhnow said Sunday that Martin is slated to receive a second opinion on his injured right elbow later this week, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. "I don't think he's going to be pitching any time soon," Luhnow said of Martin.

The Astros will wait until the results of the second opinion are available before deciding on Martin's next step, but the 23-year-old's absence seems likely to extend through the end of July. After an underwhelming stint in Houston earlier this season, Martin gave up nine runs on 19 hits and six walks in 12 innings with Triple-A Round Rock before being shut down and placed on the 7-day injured list.

Alvarado, who was activated off the restricted list Friday, allowed an earned run on a hit and a wild pitch over an inning in a win over the Rangers on Saturday.

The left-handed closer got his first taste of game action since June 1 in the low-leverage scenario, and he showed a bit of rust while putting a pair of men on and throwing 18 pitches overall during his one frame. However, Alvarado ultimately got through the inning by allowing just one run on a Logan Forsythe groundout.

Manager Aaron Boone said Sunday that he expects Betances (lat) to resume a throwing program this week, George A. King III of the New York Post reports.

Betances has been sidelined since spring training with a right shoulder impingement, but his latest shutdown earlier in June came after an MRI revealed that he was dealing with a low-grade lat strain. The health of Betances' lat appears to be the greater concern at this juncture, though the fact that he's close to throwing off flat ground again suggests he's making progress. Because he's been sidelined all season, Betances will likely spend most of July rehabbing before the Yankees consider bringing him back from the 60-day injured list.

White Sox manager Rick Renteria feels Bummer can be a closer, David Just of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Bummer is having a breakout season in the bullpen, and Renteria made a case for him as an All-Star and a closer Saturday. "He's got good enough stuff to do that," Renteria said of Bummer closing. "I think nobody would mistake that his stuff is lights out. When he's good he can dominate any hitter." Alex Colome has filled the closer's role well for the White Sox, so Bummer's not about to be promoted unless the team falls out of postseason contention and trades Colome. Bummer, who has one save and eight holds, has a 1.95 ERA with one home run allowed and 28 strikeouts over 27.2 innings.

Hudson (5-2) was charged with the blown save Saturday against the Royals but still earned the win after giving up one run on one hit during the ninth inning. He had one strikeout and one walk.

Hudson allowed a single and a walk to start the inning, and the Royals scratched across the tying run with a sacrifice bunt and sacrifice fly. According to Laura Armstrong of the Toronto Star, manager Charlie Montoyo wanted to avoid using closer Ken Giles after he threw 17 pitches Friday fresh off the injured list, though Hudson was unable to take advantage to grab his second save of the year. Hudson has otherwise been a fairly reliable option for the Blue Jays with a 2.92 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 38:19 K:BB over 37 innings.

Treinen (shoulder) threw a successful 31-pitch bullpen session prior to Saturday's game against the Angels, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The veteran closer reportedly came away healthy from the session, and he'll now get a rest day Sunday. Treinen is next slated to pitch a rehab outing with one of the organization's minor-league affiliates Monday, and if he remains free of setbacks, he's projected for activation when first eligible Wednesday.

Soto allowed three runs on four hits with a walk and strikeout across 3.2 innings in a no-decision against the Nationals on Saturday.

Both starters in this one made it through the first three frames unscathed, but Soto couldn't finish the fourth. Three Nationals reached base in that frame and knocked Soto out of the game. Detroit came back to tie, though, so Soto avoided a loss. Still, this performance erases all the good feelings he gave the organization after he threw four scoreless innings in his last outing two weeks ago. He is 0-2 with a 8.83 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and 12 strikeouts in 17.1 MLB innings this season. If Soto sticks around the big club for one more start before the All-Star break, his turn in the rotation will come up again Thursday on the road against the White Sox.

Harvey has been promoted to Triple-A Norfolk, where he will pitch out of the bullpen, David Hall of The Viginian-Pilot reports.

At this point in his development, Harvey seems more appealing as a potential closer in waiting than as a starting pitching prospect, and he will continue on that track at the highest level of the minors. Harvey pitched nine scoreless innings of relief at Double-A Bowie, allowing one hit while striking out 11. He could reach the majors late this season or early next season and could soon prove to be Baltimore's best reliever on the strength of a plus fastball and plus curveball.

Armstrong will not start Saturday's game against the Indians, contrary to previous reports, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Andrew Cashner was originally scratched because the Orioles thought the game might end up being postponed, but now that they think they can fit it in, Cashner will make the start after all.

Lambert underwent Tommy John surgery on his elbow last week.

Lambert was diagnosed with a strained forearm in early June, and the White Sox ultimately decided he would need to undergo surgery. Lambert will begin the recovery path with an eye on returning at some point next season.