MLB Player News

Graveman (shin) completed a bullpen session and did some running Sunday, putting him on track to make his next scheduled start Wednesday against the Red Sox, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

MLB.com is already listing Graveman as the Athletics' probable starter for Wednesday, so it appears the bruised shin he sustained in his return to the big leagues Friday isn't an issue. After turning in a 8.89 ERA and 1.84 WHIP through his first six starts this season before being optioned to Triple-A Nashville, Graveman came through with a quality start Friday, holding a powerful Yankees offense to four runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks to capture his first win of the campaign. Graveman should hold down a rotation spot until Trevor Cahill (elbow) is cleared to return from the 10-day disabled list.

Merritt (knee) was diagnosed Sunday with left shoulder inflammation and will be shut down from throwing for about 3-to-5 days, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Merritt opened the campaign on the 10-day disabled list after a left knee issue suffered during the offseason delayed him in spring training, but the shoulder injury now looks to be the greater concern. The lefty made just one rehab start at Triple-A Columbus on May 4 before his rehab was put on hold after he felt "sluggish" while throwing, according to Bastian. Even if Merritt receives clearance to resume throwing next week and goes ahead with his rehab assignment soon thereafter, he'll likely need multiple outings to build up to a starter's workload. That will likely delay his activation until at least June, making him a candidate to shift to the 60-day DL if the Indians need to open up a 40-man roster spot for another player.

Colome fired a scoreless ninth inning during a win over the Orioles in the second game of a doubleheader Saturday.

After not having pitched since Sunday, Colome was called on by manager Kevin Cash for some low-leverage work in the blowout win. The 29-year-old closer has generated scoreless efforts in three of four May appearances, with his one hiccup having come when he surrendered the winning run versus the Blue Jays six days prior.

The Blue Jays designated Ramirez for assignment Sunday.

Ramirez will cede his spot on the 40-man roster to Deck McGuire, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. The right-hander, who enjoyed a 47.2-inning scoreless streak across three levels at one point in 2017, made two appearances for the big club this season, giving up a run on one hit and five walks in 2.1 innings. If Ramirez goes unclaimed off waivers, he'll likely report to Buffalo.

The Orioles recalled Hart from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Jimmy Yacabonis was optioned to Norfolk in a corresponding move, giving the Orioles a fresher arm in Hart to aid the bullpen on the heels of Saturday's doubleheader with the Rays. Hart previously made two appearances for Baltimore back in April, covering 2.2 innings and giving up an unearned run.

The Orioles optioned Yacabonis to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Yacabonis worked 1.1 innings in relief in the second game of the Orioles' doubleheader Saturday, giving up a run on one hit and three walks. With Yacabonis needing 38 pitches to get through the outing, he likely wouldn't have been available for another day or two, prompting the Orioles to bring up a fresh arm in Donnie Hart from Norfolk to fortify the bullpen.

Lawrence was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Lawrence lost his spot in the Mariners bullpen after the team activated Dan Altavilla (shoulder) from the 10-day disabled list Saturday ahead of the second game of a doubleheader against the Tigers. The 30-year-old Lawrence hadn't appeared in a game since May 6 and sports a 10.13 ERA and 1.75 WHIP over eight frames on the season.

Leclerc has taken on a right-handed setup role in the Rangers' bullpen, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Leclerc was entrusted with a 1-0 lead during Friday's win over the Astros, entering the game with none out and a man on first, and retired all three batters faced, including Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa. The right-hander has allowed just one of 13 inherited runners to score and now has a 2.30 ERA with 18 strikeouts and six walks over 13.1 innings. Results like that is deserving of manager Jeff Banister's trust. The 24-year-old Leclerc was trending this way in 2017 before a second-half implosion took him out of consideration for a regular gig as a setup reliever. Here in 2018, he's managed to keep the walks down, a major reason for last year's downturn.

Martin (forearm) has thrown two bullpen sessions this week and is close to beginning a medical rehabilitation assignment, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Martin has been out since April 30 with irritation in the right forearm. Prior to the injury, he had emerged as a primary right-handed setup reliever, having posted a 2.70 ERA and 1.20 WHIP before giving up four runs in two-thirds of an inning during the game in which he suffered the injury.

Rodney worked around two walks in a scoreless inning against the Angels on Saturday for his seventh save of the season.

After the Twins took the lead in the top of the 12th, Rodney closed out the win for his second save in as many days. He's really settled in nicely since a string of three consecutive blown save chances in April, allowing just two hits over his last seven innings (all scoreless). The ratios still leave something to be desired, but Rodney has been getting the job done lately.