MLB Player News

Santillan (back) was pulled off his rehab assignment Friday due to right knee discomfort.

Santillan had been pushing toward his season debut after battling a back injury last year and again this spring, but that plan will be put on hold due to this knee issue he picked up at Triple-A Louisville. The severity of the setback is not yet clear.

Stephenson (elbow) was activated Friday from the 15-day injured list.

Stephenson will join the Pirates' bullpen Friday night in St. Louis after missing the first three weeks of the 2023 regular season due to right elbow soreness. He could eventually work his way into a prominent setup role, though Pittsburgh's relief corps has been impressive all around in the early going.

Hjelle was recalled Friday from Triple-A Sacramento, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Hjelle was just sent down Wednesday, but the Giants had an opening on their 26-man roster after having to place outfielder Bryce Johnson on the 7-day concussion IL. Hjelle will get another look out of the bullpen.

Strzelecki tossed 1.1 scoreless innings and picked up his second hold of the season in Thursday's victory over the Padres.

Strzelecki became a reliable reliever for the Brewers last season, and he has been all that and more early on in the 2023 campaign, firing 6.1 scoreless frames over six appearances while allowing just five runners to reach base. He currently slots in as the third option in the Brewers' bullpen behind closer Devin Williams and setup man Matt Bush, but Bush has not been particularly sharp since joining the Brewers last August, so it's possible Strzelecki could move up a peg in the pecking order.

Williams struck out all three batters he faced and picked up his second win of the season in Thursday's victory over the Padres.

Williams was summoned from the bullpen with both teams even on the scoreboard in the bottom of the ninth inning, and he earned the win when the Brewers plated a run in the top of the 10th. Williams has had only one save opportunity thus far, but more are sure to come, particularly if the 9-4 Brewers -- who sit second league-wide in run differential -- maintain their winning ways.

Diaz picked up the save Thursday against the Phillies and struck out the only batter he faced.

Diaz came in to get the last out, as he was assigned to face Phillies superstar Trea Turner with runners on first and second. The right-hander retired him on five pitches to secure his second save in as many chances. Diaz has been unscored upon in four of five outings but has an inflated 6.23 ERA since he allowed three earned runs in his other appearance.

Martinez did not factor in the decision against Milwaukee on Thursday, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two batters over six innings.

Martinez was far from overpowering in the outing, as he allowed as many homers as he notched strikeouts. However, he kept San Diego in the game and finished with his first quality start of the campaign. The right-hander continued to struggle with his control, issuing three more walks to bring his season K:BB to 11:10 over 17.2 innings. Seth Lugo and Ryan Weathers have both pitched well at the back end of the Padres' rotation, so it will be interesting to see which of Lugo, Weathers and Martinez moves to the bullpen when Joe Musgrove (toe/shoulder) is able to return to action.

Payamps earned a save against the Padres on Thursday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter in a scoreless 10th inning.

Milwaukee closer Devin Williams was deployed to keep a 3-3 tie intact in the bottom of the ninth inning, which he did successfully. After the Brewers took the lead in the top of the 10th, manager Craig Counsell turned to Payamps to close things out. The right-hander came through in the clutch situation, allowing a two-out infield single but nothing else in compiling a scoreless frame and notching his first career save. Despite the positive outcome, Williams is the clear closer for the Brewers, and Payamps isn't likely to see many (if any) additional save chances moving forward.

Lawrence has allowed only one earned run while maintaining an 8:3 K:BB across his first 7.1 innings of the 2023 season.

Lawrence has been trusted as a high-leverage reliever out of Colorado's bullpen, as he's entered in the seventh inning or later in all six of his appearances and the Rockies have had the lead on five of those occasions. Some caution is required due to Lawrence's home park, and he's given up three runs (one earned) across his last two games at Coors Field. However, with Daniel Bard (personal) still sidelined and Pierce Johnson experiencing some struggles on the mound, Lawrence could enter the picture for saves at some point this season.

Pomeranz (elbow) was diagnosed Thursday with a neck strain, delaying his minor-league rehab assignment, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Pomeranz was supposed to begin pitching for Triple-A El Paso on Thursday, but he's run into another setback in his return from August 2021 flexor tendon surgery. At least it's not related to his forearm or elbow. The estimated timetable for his 2023 debut will probably have to be pushed back at least a week or two.