MLB Player News

Martinez (2-3) allowed one hit over 4.1 scoreless innings to earn the victory Sunday against the Dodgers. He struck out three.

Martinez followed Brent Suter, who faced three batters and served as the opener, tossing 64 pitches while working through the fifth to pick up his second victory of the season. Martinez has now earned both of his wins this season against the Dodgers in similar fashion. Ten days ago, Martinez worked five innings of relief and allowed one baserunner while earning the win in LA, then pulled off the same feat over 4.1 innings Sunday. With Nick Lodolo (groin) slated to return to the rotation Monday, Martinez looks primed to return to his usual long-relief role.

Kimbrel struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 4-1 win over the White Sox.

Kimbrel hasn't allowed a walk or a hit over his last 4.2 innings, and he's pitched 6.2 consecutive scoreless innings. He's earned a save in each of his last four outings, retaking the closer role after a shaky stretch in late April and early May saw him take a short stint in lower-leverage assignments. Kimbrel is 12-for-15 in save chances this season while posting a 3.15 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 29:9 K:BB over 20 innings. He's also collected four holds and a 4-1 record, but it looks like most of his appearances will be in the ninth inning going forward.

The Twins optioned Funderburk to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Funderburk tossed 1.1 scoreless frames in relief Sunday against the Rangers and will head back to the minors until the Twins have need of a fresh bullpen arm. He has a 5.18 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 24.1 innings.

Phillips (hamstring) is scheduled to pitch in a rehab game Sunday with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.

Phillips will require multiple rehab outings before coming off the 15-day injured list, and Sunday's scheduled appearance will mark the first of these. Daniel Hudson recorded the last Dodgers save May 20, and Phillips will presumably return to the closing role once he's active.

Fairbanks allowed two hits and a walk in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Royals.

Fairbanks allowed back-to-back two-out singles to load the bases, but he got Bobby Witt on a groundout to end the threat. Despite the danger, Fairbanks turned in his seventh straight scoreless outing since returning from a nerve issue in his arm. He's allowed just four baserunners in that span. The 30-year-old has a 4.50 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 18:9 K:BB and five saves over 14 innings this season.

The Diamondbacks recalled Walston from Triple-A Reno ahead of his scheduled start Sunday against the Marlins in Arizona.

Walston will be making his first MLB start, joining the rotation as a replacement for Slade Cecconi, who was optioned to Reno on Wednesday. A 22-year-old lefty, Walston made his major-league debut earlier this month in long relief before heading back to Reno, with whom he's produced a 4.54 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 35:20 K:BB across 35.2 innings this season.

The Cardinals recalled Pallante from Triple-A Memphis on Sunday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Reliever Nick Robertson (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Before being sent down to the minors April 21, Pallante appeared in nine games for the Cardinals, registering a 6.30 ERA and 1.90 WHIP across 10 frames. The 25-year-old right-hander has since been deployed as a starter for Memphis, and he worked 4.1 innings in his most recent outing May 17. He could be used as a spot starter for Wednesday's game against the Reds, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The Cardinals placed Robertson on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to right elbow inflammation, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Robertson was promoted to the big club April 21 after registering a 2.84 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 6.1 innings with Triple-A Memphis. He's appeared in eight games for the Cardinals this season and has a 4.38 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 14:2 K:BB over 12.1 innings out of the bullpen. With Robertson on the shelf, St. Louis recalled right-hander Andre Pallante from Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move.

The White Sox claimed Peralta off waivers and optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday.

After being designated for assignment by the Mariners on Thursday, Peralta returned to the White Sox organization Sunday, re-joining a team he started the season with. The 26-year-old left-hander will stay in the minors, where he has a 9.24 ERA and 1.97 WHIP across 12.2 innings in Triple-A.

The Giants optioned Avila to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday.

Avila will cede his spot on the 26-man active roster to left-hander Blake Snell (personal), who was reinstated from the paternity list. The 26-year-old Avila has made eight relief appearances for the Giants this season, logging an 8.49 ERA and 1.71 WHIP across 11.2 innings.