MLB Player News

Cronin gave up a hit and struck out one in 1.2 scoreless innings Wednesday, recording his first hold of the season in a win over the Tigers.

The 26-year-old right-hander entered the game in the sixth inning with the Marlins ahead 2-0 and blanked Detroit over 22 pitches (14 strikes) before passing the baton to Andrew Nardi in a combined shutout. Cronin isn't seeing consistent high-leverage usage, but he's been one of the few bright spots in Miami's bullpen this season, posting a 1.33 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 22:10 K:BB through 20.1 innings in a long-relief role.

Johnson (elbow) said he felt good after throwing live batting practice Wednesday, and he's on track to come off the injured list ahead of Friday's game against the Padres, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The right-hander has been on the shelf since late April due to right elbow inflammation. Johnson has been an effective part of Atlanta's setup crew this season, recording two wins, a save and three holds in 13 appearances with a 3.00 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB through 12 innings.

Doval earned the save over the Dodgers on Wednesday, allowing one hit and one walk over one inning while striking out two.

Doval entered the game with a three-run lead in the ninth and quickly retired the first two batters on strikes before walking Mookie Betts and surrendering a single to Shohei Ohtani. However, the right-hander was able to get Freddie Freeman to ground out for the final out and notch his seventh save in as many chances. Doval has also recorded two strikeouts in three straight appearances.

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.

Martinez picked up the save in a win over the Athletics on Wednesday, allowing two walks over two innings while striking out one.

Martinez entered the contest with a three-run lead in the top of the eighth and struck out the first batter on seven pitches before issuing a walk to JJ Bleday. The right-hander would quickly work his way through it, however, thanks to a double play ball in the following at-bat, before returning for the ninth. Despite also issuing a walk in the final frame, Martinez was able to wrap up the game with another scoreless inning to notch his first save of the season. It was a nice bounceback effort for the reliever, who had allowed three runs in his previous appearance on May 12 against the Tigers. Closer Josh Hader covered two innings Tuesday while Ryan Pressly, Bryan Abreu and Rafael Montero pitched two straight days, which opened up the save chance for Martinez.

Munoz gave up a hit and struck out three over 1.2 scoreless innings Wednesday to record his seventh save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Royals.

Austin Voth ran into trouble in the eighth inning, so Munoz got the call with runners on second and third and only one out to protect a 3-1 lead. The Mariners' closer did allow an inherited runner to score, but Seattle got the run right back in the bottom of the frame and Munoz dominated the ninth. It's the fourth time this season he's worked more than one inning to notch a save, and with Matt Brash (elbow) done for the year and Gregory Santos (lat) potentially not back until the All-Star break, Munoz may have to continue putting in extra work until Seattle settles on a new setup crew.

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.