MLB Player News

The Cardinals recalled Svanson from Triple-A Memphis on Friday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Svanson has pitched well during his time with the big club this season, permitting two runs with a 7:3 K:BB across 6.2 frames. He will operate in middle relief out of the St. Louis bullpen.

The Cardinals optioned Roycroft to Triple-A Memphis on Friday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Roycroft has had two different stints in the majors this season and neither of them have been successful, as he's yielded a 10 runs (eight earned) with a 6:8 K:BB over 10 innings. His spot on the roster and in the bullpen will be absorbed by Matt Svanson.

The Brewers optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

Rodriguez will yield his spot on the active roster for Aaron Ashby (oblique), who's being activated from the 15-day injured list. The 23-year-old served as a bulk reliever for the Brewers on Thursday, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks across 3.1 innings.

The Giants announced that Harrison will start Saturday's game against the Nationals, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Harrison will take over the rotation spot that previously belonged to Justin Verlander (pectoral), who was placed on the injured list Thursday. The 23-year-old lefty has made four relief appearances since being recalled earlier this month, allowing two runs with a 7:3 K:BB over 5.1 frames. Harrison had been starting at Triple-A Sacramento prior to his call-up but hasn't pitched more than two innings in over three weeks, so he's likely to have a limited workload versus the Nationals.

The Giants recalled Beck from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday.

He's taking the roster spot vacated by the injured Justin Verlander (pectoral). Beck has been used in a multi-inning relief role this season with Sacramento, posting a 3.24 ERA and 29:11 K:BB over 25 innings. He could offer some length out of the bullpen Saturday behind Kyle Harrison.

The Cubs reinstated Brasier (groin) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Brasier had been on the shelf since March 27 due to a strained left groin, but he's been cleared to rejoin the Cubs after a lengthy rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa. In six appearances with Iowa, Brasier logged a 3.18 ERA and a 6:1 K:BB across 5.2 innings. Ethan Roberts was optioned to Iowa in a corresponding move.

The Cubs optioned Roberts to Triple-A Iowa on Friday.

Roberts joined the big-league club Tuesday after Porter Hodge (oblique) was put on the injured list. However, he'll head back to Triple-A now that Ryan Brasier (groin) is healthy. Roberts didn't appear in a game during his stint in Chicago.

The Diamondbacks activated Martinez (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Martinez has been shelved for most of May with right shoulder inflammation but is ready to go after making two scoreless rehab appearances. He reached 101.1 mph with his sinker during his last outing at Triple-A Reno, which is particularly encouraging after his velocity had dipped prior to the IL stint. Martinez might be eased back into ninth-inning duty, but it shouldn't be long before he reclaims the closer role with Shelby Miller carrying a 5.63 ERA and 2.13 WHIP in May.

Estrada (1-3) was charged with the loss and a blown save Thursday against Toronto, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and one walk while retiring one batter in the 11th inning.

Estrada didn't get the Padres' first save opportunity of the game -- that went to closer Robert Suarez, who allowed the Blue Jays' automatic runner to score in the bottom of the 10th to tie the game. After San Diego posted a run in the 11th, Estrada came in and gave up a game-tying triple on his second pitch, before Nathan Lukes singled home the winning run for Toronto. Estrada has just one save in his career, but he's been effective in a high-leverage role for the Padres as he ranks second on the team with nine holds while compiling a 2.86 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 33:6 K:BB over 22 frames on the season.

Rutledge (1-1) picked up the win in Thursday's extra-inning victory over Atlanta, allowing one hit in a scoreless 10th inning.

After Kyle Finnegan blew the save in the ninth, Rutledge held Atlanta's 5-6-7 hitters in check in the 10th before Amed Rosario walked it off with an RBI single in the bottom of the frame. Thye 26-year-old righty has given up earned runs in only two of his last 12 appearances, posting a 1.72 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB across 15.2 innings over that stretch. Should Finnegan be unavailable for closing duties at any point, Rutledge might be positioning himself to become the next man up for the Nats.