MLB Player News

Martinez is expected to operate as a bulk reliever behind opener Brent Suter in Thursday's game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Martinez has made four starts this season, but because he'll be available on only three days' rest after recorded four outs of the bullpen in Sunday's 6-5 loss to the Giants, the Reds will deploy him in bulk relief Thursday in what would have been Nick Lodolo's (groin) turn in the rotation. With Lodolo on 15-day injured list and set to miss at least two weeks, Martinez could move into a more traditional starting role when that spot in the rotation comes up again next week.

Suter will serve as the Reds' opening pitcher for Thursday's game against the Dodgers, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

With Nick Lodolo (groin) landing on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, the Reds had a hole in the rotation for Thursday's series opener in Los Angeles. Suter has prior starting experience in the majors and previously worked three-plus innings on two occasions this season, but after making one-inning relief appearances Monday and Tuesday, Suter is unlikely to work more than one or two frames Thursday before exiting the contest. Nick Martinez will be available on three days' rest and is expected to work in bulk relief once Suter exits the contest, making Martinez the more attractive target for streaming purposes.

Blach is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Giants in San Francisco,

He'll be awarded a second consecutive turn through the rotation after he limited the Rangers to one run on seven hits and no walks over five innings en route to grabbing his first win of the season in his previous start Sunday. With Kyle Freeland's (elbow) return from the 15-day injured list not considered imminent, Blach should have a fair amount of security in the rotation.

Sewald worked a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his second save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Reds.

The right-hander needed only eight pitches (four strikes) to get the job done. Sewald has been his usual effective self since making his season debut May 7, giving up just one run with a 4:1 K:BB in his first four innings, and he has a firm hold on the closer role for Arizona.

Walker was unavailable for Wednesday's game versus the Dodgers due to back tightness, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Walker last pitched Sunday, allowing one run on four hits over one inning while taking a blown save versus the Reds, so it's possible he's been dealing with the issue for a while. For now, the right-hander can be considered day-to-day. The Giants are off Thursday before beginning a three-game series at home versus the Rockies on Friday.

Thompson (1-1) recorded Wednesday's win over Cincinnati, allowing one hit and striking out one over a scoreless eighth inning.

Thompson, who made an eighth consecutive scoreless appearance, has been the Diamondbacks' best reliever through the first month-and-a-half. The side-arming right-hander sports a 1.00 ERA with just two walks while striking out 13 over 18 innings. He leads the team with six holds.

Scott earned the save in Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Tigers, allowing two hits while striking out one in a scoreless inning.

The Tigers made things interesting with a pair of two-out singles off Scott in the ninth inning before the left-hander struck out Riley Greene, who represented the winning run, closing out Miami's shutout victory. Scott hasn't allowed an earned run in his last 10.1 innings, striking out 12 in that span. He's 5-for-6 in save opportunities with a 2.00 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 19:17 K:BB across 18 innings this season.

The Dodgers designated Crismatt for assignment Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Crismatt was added to the active roster April 27 and has since given up two earned runs through five innings across four appearances. The Dodgers are in need of fresh bullpen arms for Wednesday's game against San Francisco, so they will cast the 29-year-old right-hander off the 40-man for the second time this year and select Elieser Hernandez from Triple-A Oklahoma City to replace Crismatt.

The Dodgers optioned Varland to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Since coming up from the minors in late April, Varland has given up one earned run through 5.1 innings while striking out three batters and walking four. He last pitched Tuesday, so he'll return to the minors to make room for a fresh arm in Eduardo Salazar, as the Dodgers prepare to rely on their bullpen to get them through Wednesday's affair with the Giants.

The Dodgers recalled Salazar from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Through seven starts at Triple-A, Salazar has posted a 5.61 ERA and 1.78 WHIP across 33.2 innings. Although he's been used exclusively as a starter in the minors this season, he will come out of the bullpen for the Dodgers, giving the team depth during its bullpen game Wednesday against the Giants. Gus Varland was optioned to Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.