MLB Player News

Erceg blew the save in Monday's 7-5 loss against the Orioles. He allowed one run on a hit and three walks with no strikeouts over one inning.

Erceg entered the ninth inning with a one-run lead but was unable to secure the save, struggling with control and allowing an RBI single to Samuel Basallo that sent the game to extra innings. It marked the right-hander's second blown save in as many appearances after converting each of his first five opportunities this season. Now sporting a 6.48 ERA and 1.80 WHIP across 8.1 innings, Erceg will look to get back on track while incumbent closer Carlos Estevez (foot) remains on the injured list.

Nunez (1-0) recorded the win Monday against the Royals, allowing one unearned run on one hit and one walk in two innings of relief. He struck out one.

The rookie right-hander is emerging as a multi-inning weapon out of the Baltimore bullpen, producing a 1.59 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB over his first 11.1 frames. Nunez has three holds and one save opportunity so far, and he's making a serious case for more high-leverage work going forward.

Garcia (elbow) will throw live batting practice Wednesday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Garcia will take another step forward in his rehab Wednesday by going up against live batters for the first time since undergoing surgery to clean up scar tissue around his right elbow. If all goes well in his first live BP session, he could be cleared to begin a rehab assignment in the minors shortly after.

Hiraldo is scheduled to meet with Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday to receive a second opinion on his inflamed right shoulder, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Though the Orioles are still labeling Hiraldo's shoulder injury as inflammation, the team's decision to move him from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL last week would seem to suggest that he could be dealing with something more significant. After he receives a second opinion from Dr. ElAttrache, Hiraldo will decide on a treatment plan for his injury. The righty reliever made just three appearances for Baltimore before landing on the shelf.

The Red Sox will recall Samaniego from Triple-A Worcester prior to Tuesday's game versus the Yankees, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Samaniego will absorb the roster spot vacated by the injured Sonny Gray (hamstring). The left-handed Samaniego turned in three scoreless appearances during an earlier stint with Boston, collecting a 4:3 K:BB in 3.2 innings.

Bolton (back) will throw a live batting practice session Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Bolton landed on the 15-day injured list last week with mid-back inflammation. He's eligible for activation April 28 and has a good chance to be back by that date, given that he's already been cleared to face hitters.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Monday that Uceta will be shut down for 2-to-3 weeks after being diagnosed with a right shoulder strain, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Uceta began the season on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement, and he suffered a new shoulder injury during his last rehab appearance with Triple-A Durham on Wednesday. The righty reliever will need time to get built back up once he does resume throwing, so Uceta will be out for several more weeks even in a best-case scenario. He's a candidate to be moved to the 60-day IL when/if the Rays need to free up a spot on their 40-man roster.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Pepiot's injured right hip felt "unstable" while the pitcher played catch Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Pepiot suffered a setback with his right hip last week when he threw a bullpen session, which resulted in him being shifted to the 60-day injured list. He was given an injection and shut down for a few days, and it seems the hip issue is still lingering. It's unclear whether Pepiot will be shut down again, but clearly the righty isn't progressing as well as hoped. He won't be eligible to make his season debut with the Rays until May 24.

Lambert is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Guardians in Cleveland, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Summoned from Triple-A Sugar Land last week after submitting a 1.84 ERA and 0.95 WHIP over his first three starts in the minors, Lambert stepped in to fill one of the opening in Houston's injury plagued rotation. Though he was dealt a loss Friday against the Cardinals after yielding four runs and allowing 10 baserunners in five innings, Lambert posted a strong 8:1 K:BB and racked up 23 swinging strikes on 90 pitches. That massive whiff total alone makes Lambert a worthwhile speculative pickup in deeper leagues, and another quality showing against the Guardians could allow the 29-year-old righty to solidify a more permanent spot in a rotation that isn't expected to get any of its injured starters back anytime soon.

The Rays selected Martin's contract from Triple-A Durham on Monday.

He'll be absorbing the roster spot vacated by Mason Englert (forearm), who was placed on the 15-day injured list. Martin earned his first-ever big-league promotion after allowing just two unearned runs with an 11:6 K:BB in his first 9.1 innings with Durham.