MLB Player News

The Diamondbacks reinstated Graveman (back) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Arizona designated lefty Jose Castillo for assignment to open up a spot in the bullpen for Graveman, who missed the first month and a half of the season while recovering from a right lumbar strain. Graveman had previously missed the entire 2024 campaign while on the mend from right shoulder surgery, but he checked out healthy after tossing 3.1 scoreless innings across his three minor-league rehab appearances. Prior to his shoulder surgery, Graveman found success as a setup man and occasional stopgap option at closer, but he may have to settle for a middle-relief role initially with Arizona coming off a lengthy absence from big-league action. The back end of the Diamondbacks bullpen is highly unsettled, however, so Graveman could move up in the pecking order quickly if he excels in his first few relief appearances.

The Cubs optioned Hollowell to Triple-A Iowa on Monday.

He'll cede his spot on the 26-man active roster and in the bullpen to left-hander Caleb Thielbar (personal), who was reinstated from the paternity list. Hollowell has fared well over his five appearances for the Cubs between his two separate stints in the big leagues this season, giving up just one earned run and striking out five batters across 6.1 innings.

The Cubs reinstated Thielbar (personal) from the paternity list Monday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

Thielbar was away from the Cubs for the maximum three games while he welcomed a new addition to his family. Chicago optioned righty Gavin Hollowell to Triple-A Iowa to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster and in the bullpen for Thielbar.

Miller was charged with a blown save in Sunday's 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Twins, allowing two earned runs on three hits and one walk without retiring a batter.

Miller entered the game in the sixth inning with a 4-3 lead and was tagged with his second blown save of the season after a lackluster performance. The left-hander surrendered three singles and threw just six of his 12 pitches for strikes before being pulled. Miller now owns a 2.19 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and an 11:9 K:BB across 12.1 innings in 15 appearances.

Stanek (1-3) struck out two in a perfect eighth inning Sunday to pick up the win over the Cubs.

With the score tied 2-2, the right-hander breezed through Chicago's 9-1-2 hitters on 11 pitches (eight strikes) before the Mets' offense erupted for four runs in the bottom of the frame. After a rough end to the month of April that included three straight losses and blown saves, Stanek has yet to allow a run in May, posting a 5:0 K:BB over five scoreless innings as he re-establishes himself as a reliable high-leverage option for the Mets.

Gibault (shoulder) struck out two over one inning for Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

Gibault landed on the 15-day injured list April 26 with a right shoulder impingement. The right-hander is expected to make multiple rehab appearances before the Reds activate him.

Graveman (back) rejoined the Diamondbacks on Sunday and could be activated from the 15-day injured list during the upcoming week, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Graveman completed a three-appearance minor-league rehab assignment Friday, and all signs point to him being activated at some point during the series against the Giants that kicks off Monday. Though the back end of the Arizona bullpen is unsettled, Graveman is unlikely to immediately factor into the closer mix and will likely work in a setup role or in middle relief.

Martinez (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Martinez took the mound for the first time since he was placed on the injured list May 1 due to right shoulder inflammation, or a case of "dead arm," as manager Torey Lovullo had described it. The report indicates that Martinez's side session went "real well," and that the reliever felt good. Martinez is first eligible for activation Friday, but it's unclear if he'll be cleared to return for this weekend's series versus the Rockies, or if he'll head out on a minor-league rehab assignment prior to being reinstated.

Romano struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Guardians.

Romano has pitched five consecutive scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out five and walking none in that span. He's picked up two saves and a hold during that stretch. Amid a rough start to the season, Romano was demoted to a low-leverage role, and a six-run blowup against the Marlins on April 19 didn't help him regain trust quickly. He's found a little bit of stability now, and it could be telling that Romano got the ninth inning against the heart of Cleveland's order while Jose Alvarado handled the eighth inning in Sunday's contest. However, barring an announcement from manager Rob Thomson, it's best to view the Phillies' bullpen as an emerging closer committee for now.

Hodge (2-1) allowed three runs on three hits while retiring just one batter to take the loss Sunday against the Mets.

A day after converting his second save of the season, Hodge struggled to replicate the positive results. The righty saw things crumble in the eighth inning with the score tied 2-2, and his ERA climbed from 4.24 to 5.71 in the process. Hodge was potentially gaining on Ryan Pressly as Chicago's preferred closing option, though this might set the former back to some degree. With Pressly's ERA sitting at 7.07, neither pitcher is inspiring much confidence from fantasy managers at the moment.