MLB Player News

Kimbrel pitched a clean ninth inning with two strikeouts to record the save Tuesday against the Nationals.

One of the two batters Kimbrel struck out reached base when the pitch got away from the catcher, but the closer was otherwise perfect in his inning of work. It was a nice bounce-back effort after Kimbrel blew his second save of the season in his last appearance Saturday. The veteran reliever now has eight saves in 10 chances to go along with a strong 1.08 ERA.

Graterol (forearm) completed a 20-pitch bullpen session Tuesday and is scheduled for another session Friday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Assuming all goes well Friday, the right-hander will throw another bullpen session next Tuesday before embarking on a rehab assignment. Graterol seems on track for a return from the injured list at the end of May or first week of June.

Vesia was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

The 25-year-old was optioned to Triple-A on Monday, but it was a short absence with Garrett Cleavinger (forearm) landing on the injured list. Vesia has given up five runs (three earned) with a 7:5 K:BB through four innings this season.

Cleavinger was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with left forearm inflammation, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

The 27-year-old last pitched Saturday against the Marlins and covered two-thirds of an inning without allowing a run. It's unclear how long Cleavinger is expected to be sidelined.

Quijada was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The 25-year-old was a late arrival to spring training due to visa issues and will join the Angels on Tuesday with Mike Trout (calf) landing on the injured list. Quijada appeared in six games for Los Angeles last season but saw more extensive work in 2019, when he posted a 5.76 ERA, 1.79 WHIP and 44:26 K:BB over 29.2 innings.

Mejia was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old was unable to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster but will join Cleveland six weeks into the season with the chance to make his major-league debut. Mejia started two games at Triple-A this season, allowing two runs on six hits with 10 strikeouts and five walks over nine innings.

Megill (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Thursday, Maddie Lee of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Megill hit the injured list with a strained forearm in late April. He doesn't have a clear timeline and may not return to the big-league roster once healthy, as he's only made two career MLB appearances, tossing two scoreless innings with two hits, a walk and two strikeouts prior to his injury.

Hicks received an injection in his elbow last week and is expected to rest for a month before beginning to build his arm strength back up, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Hicks won't be returning any time soon, as he landed on the 60-day injured list Friday, knocking him out until at least early July. Whether or not he's on track to return when first eligible is not yet clear.

Martin was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday and will start against the Dodgers.

Martin made five starts for the Astros in 2019, struggling to a 5.59 ERA before being shut down for Tommy John surgery. He was a fairly highly rated prospect prior to the injury, good enough to headline a trade for Zack Greinke even after undergoing the procedure, but he'll face a tough test against the defending champions in his first start for his new team.

Ponce de Leon (shoulder) returned from the injured list Tuesday.

Ponce de Leon struggled to an 8.71 ERA and 1.84 WHIP in two starts in three relief appearances before being sidelined with shoulder inflammation in late April. He'll likely fill a lower-leverage relief role for now. Junior Fernandez was optioned in a corresponding move.