MLB Player News

Martin (undisclosed) could be placed on the injured list prior to Tuesday's game against Atlanta, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

It's not clear exactly what injury Martin is dealing with. He last pitched May 30, giving up three runs on a couple home runs. If a roster move is indeed made, Martin is expected to be replaced by Zack Kelly.

The Red Sox plan to call up Kelly from Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Boston optioned Kelly to the minors May 26, but he'll be eligible to rejoin the team in fewer than the minimum 15 days with Chris Martin (undisclosed) set to be placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. In 16.2 innings of relief with Boston, Kelly owns a 2.16 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.

The Blue Jays optioned Burr to Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Burr had just joined the Jays last week and allowed one run over 3.1 innings covering two relief appearances. He's clearing out to make room for Bowden Francis' (forearm) return from the injured list.

The Mariners signed Bowman to a minor-league contract Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Bowman elected free agency last week after the Diamondbacks had removed him from their 40-man roster, but it didn't take him a long time to find a new home. He will make $1 million if he joins the major-league roster and his deal includes multiple opt-outs, per Heyman. Bowman holds a 5.02 ERA and 10:6 K:BB over 14.1 innings at the big-league level this season.

Strickland (2-1) earned the win in relief over San Diego on Monday, allowing one hit and one walk over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Tyler Anderson allowed just one run over 6.2 standout frames before turning the ball over to Strickland with runners on second and third and two outs in the seventh inning. The reliever escaped the jam by getting David Peralta to fly out, then wiggled out of his own two-on, one-out situation in the eighth. Strickland subsequently became the pitcher of record when the Angels broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of that frame. Though he has primarily pitched in lower-leverage situations this year, Strickland has been arguably the team's most effective reliever, posting a 1.75 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB over 25.2 innings while notching two wins and two holds.

Triple-A Salt Lake placed Wantz on its 7-day injured list April 19 with a right forearm injury, Taylor Blake Ward of TheSportingTribune.com reports.

Wantz has worked almost exclusively as a reliever at the big-league level with the Angels over the previous three seasons, but he had been working out of the rotation at Salt Lake after being optioned to Triple-A coming out of spring training. The right-hander had gotten off to a solid start in his first four starts with Salt Lake with a 4.15 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 24:8 K:BB across 17.1 innings, but the forearm injury has halted any momentum Wantz might have built toward a possible promotion to the big leagues. It's unclear when Wantz might be ready to head out on a rehab assignment with one of the Angels' lower-level affiliates.

Richards will serve as the Blue Jays' opening pitcher Tuesday against the Orioles, Mike Wilner of The Toronto Star reports.

Richards has gone more than one inning in seven of his 25 relief appearances this season, including a 3.1-inning appearance last Wednesday against the White Sox. However, he hasn't thrown more than 38 pitches in any outing and will be pitching on just one day of rest after making an one-inning appearance Sunday versus Pittsburgh. The expectation is that Bowden Francis (forearm) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to work in bulk relief behind Richards.

Major League Baseball announced Tuesday that Kelly has received a one-year suspension for violating the league's gambling policy, Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal reports.

MLB's investigation determined that Kelly bet a total of $99.22 on MLB games during a time he was with the Astros' Triple-A affiliate in Sugar Land during the 2021 season. Currently, Kelly is on the Oakland roster and has posted a 2.59 ERA over 28 relief appearances with the big club. He won't appeal the suspension.

The Athletics optioned Basso to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Basso has made two scoreless relief appearances for the Athletics this season. The left-hander has been used as a starter during his time with Las Vegas and will likely get stretched back out in its rotation.

Estevez struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning and earned a save over the Padres on Monday.

Estevez needed only 10 pitches to quickly finish off the 2-1 victory. He's given up one earned run over his last 6.1 innings, lowering his season ERA to 4.50 through 18 frames. Estevez has converted three straight save chances and is now nine for 12 in those situations this season.