MLB Player News

Raley was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with left elbow inflammation, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

It's unclear when Raley suffered the injury, but he last pitched Friday and delivered a scoreless two-thirds of an inning. The left-hander landed on the shelf with a similar injury last April and missed just the minimum 15 days, though it's unclear how long he's expected to be out this time around.

Leiter should be one of the Cubs' top options for saves after manager Craig Counsell indicated Sunday that Adbert Alzolay isn't currently considered the club's closer, Steve Greenberg of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Alzolay blew his fourth save of the season in Saturday's doubleheader against Miami, and Counsell has apparently seen enough. Leiter has collected a hold in four straight appearances and has given up just two unearned runs across 10.2 innings this season. Hector Neris earned the save in Game 2 on Saturday and is likely the top candidate for saves, but Counsell hasn't officially named a new closer.

Neris should be one of the top options for saves after manager Craig Counsell indicated Sunday that Adbert Alzolay isn't currently considered the closer, Steve Greenberg of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Neris picked up his first save of the year in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader after Alzolay blew his fourth save. Counsell didn't name a replacement, but Neris is the obvious candidate given his usage Saturday and his experience as a high-leverage arm. Mark Leiter should also be in the mix.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell indicated Sunday that Alzolay isn't currently the club's closer, and the skipper said he'll treat the role as a "day-to-day thing," Steve Greenberg of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The right-hander blew his second straight save, and fourth of the season, during Saturday's doubleheader, so it appears he'll get a break from the ninth inning. Alzolay has a 4.50 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 9:4 K:BB across 10 innings and is now set to fill a lower-leverage role, at least temporarily. Hector Neris and Mark Leiter are now the top candidates for the ninth inning, though Counsell didn't indicate if he'll go with one reliever or utilize a committee approach.

The Diamondbacks optioned Martinez to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Martinez was called up by Arizona on Wednesday. He appeared in two games for the Diamondbacks, allowing four walks but no hits or runs while striking out two over three frames. The move corresponds with Arizona recalling right-hander Slade Cecconi from Triple-A Reno.

Walker (2-2) struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the win Saturday over the Diamondbacks.

Starter Kyle Harrison went just four innings, and Walker ended up in line for the win when the Giants went ahead for good in the fifth. Since his three-run blow-up versus Miami on Tuesday, he's pitched a pair of perfect innings with five strikeouts. Walker continues to serve as a middle reliever, posting a 3.75 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB with one hold over 12 innings.

The Brewers recalled Koenig from Triple-A Nashville on Sunday.

Koenig is back with the Brewers after being optioned by the team April 17. He hasn't given up a run in each of his last three appearances with Nashville, striking out six batters while walking two over 3.2 innings in that span. The move corresponds with Milwaukee placing DL Hall (knee) on the 15-day injured list.

The Rockies transferred Bard (elbow) to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

The move comes with Bard undergoing right flexor tendon surgery on his right elbow. With Bard set to miss the rest of the season, the Rockies selected the contract of southpaw Ty Blach from Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday.

The Cardinals recalled Robertson from Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.

Robertson hasn't given up a run or a hit over his last three appearances, and he has a 2.84 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 6.1 innings with Memphis this season. Robertson will serve in the Cardinals' bullpen, with St. Louis optioning right-hander Andre Pallante to Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move.

The Cardinals optioned Pallante to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.

In his last outing Saturday against the Brewers, Pallante gave up three runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk. He has a 6.30 ERA, 1.90 WHIP and 6:5 K:BB over 10 innings to start the season. St. Louis recalled right-hander Nick Robertson in a corresponding move.