MLB Player News

Martinez was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.

The Rangers needed a roster spot for Monday starter Cesar Ramos, and Martinez ended up being the casualty. He'll likely slot into the Triple-A rotation for the time being, but could be back with the major league club fairly soon if they need a long reliever.

Ortiz, 20, has a 4.50 ERA and 16:3 K:BB through 14 innings for High-A High Desert.

Ortiz will have to deal with the friendly hitting confines of the California League this season, but his health will be the most important development in 2016. Ortiz has pitched just 84.1 professional innings since being drafted in the first round in 2014.

Ferrell was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list Monday and optioned to Triple-A Toledo.

Ferrell was shut down toward the end of spring training with a shoulder impingement, but after dominating batters in a three rehab appearances with High-A Lakeland, he seems to be back to full health. He'll likely slot into the bullpen with Toledo and could find his way to the majors if he can improve against upper-level hitters.

Burdi (forearm) returned to action Saturday, tossing a scoreless inning on 12 pitches.

The 2014 second-round pick by the Twins has begun climbing the organizational ranks but struggled after his promotion to Double-A Chattanooga last season, posting 4.53 ERA and 1.65 WHIP over 30 games. He's started his 2016 season off on the right foot, but the question remains whether he can sustain it over the course of a full campaign.

Barnes entered Sunday's game in the fourth inning and pitched two scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk in a 7-5 extra-inning win over Houston.

Boston's unreliable starting pitching reared itself again Sunday -- this time, it was Henry Owens failing to get out of the fourth -- requiring the bullpen to shoulder a heavy load. Barnes' performance has been uneven to start the season. Overall, he's allowed five runs (three earned) on 12 hits and six walks in 10.1 innings, and has had difficulty staying around the plate, throwing 55 percent of his pitches for strikes. That's not good for the long-term sustainability of a reliever, even one who can throw in the mid-to-high 90s.

Devenski pitched 3.1 scoreless innings of relief against Boston on Sunday.

Devenski entered the game in the fifth inning in relief of struggling starter Scott Feldman and breezed through 3.1 innings, striking out two. The 25-year-old right-hander sports a 0.66 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 12:1 K:BB over his first 13.2 big league innings.

Kimbrel blew his first save of the season Sunday versus the Astros, allowing two runs on two hits with a pair of strikeouts.

Kimbrel entered the game in a save situation, and he was promptly squared up for a double by Carlos Correa before Colby Rasmus took him yard to tie the game. Kimbrel had gone six scoreless innings before this hiccup and should still viewed as a strong fantasy reliever despite his unsightly ERA of five.

May gave up two runs and three hits in one inning in Sunday's extra inning loss to the Nationals, but earned his first hold of the season. His ERA rose to 3.60.

Kevin Jepsen blew his second save in four chances in the ninth inning, but May has struggled a bit in April as his 3.60 ERA doesn't include two outings with key poor outings that cost the Twins games with a wild pitch and an error. He does have a 16:6 K:BB ratio in ten innings, so his strikeout totals could move him into the closer role eventually if Jepsen struggles.

Duffey, who suffered a right arm contusion after being struck with a line drive in Sunday's game, said the injury is not serious, MLB.com reports. "It hit me square in the shoulder," he said. "I'll probably feel it tomorrow a bit."

Duffey left in the fifth inning after getting hit by the pitch. Duffey's status for his next start is uncertain given that this injury could cause him to miss time and with Ervin Santana trying to return from a sore back. It's most likely Duffey will return to the minors, but he could make another start if he's healthy and Santana isn't ready.

Robertson saved his seventh game with a perfect ninth inning while striking out three Sunday against the Rangers.

After blowing his first save of the season Saturday, Robertson was back to his dominating ways as he protected a three-run lead. He's only made eight appearances this season, but seven of those have resulted in saves, and he has a stellar 1.08 ERA.