MLB Player News

Martinez (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Martinez took the mound for the first time since he was placed on the injured list May 1 due to right shoulder inflammation, or a case of "dead arm," as manager Torey Lovullo had described it. The report indicates that Martinez's side session went "real well," and that the reliever felt good. Martinez is first eligible for activation Friday, but it's unclear if he'll be cleared to return for this weekend's series versus the Rockies, or if he'll head out on a minor-league rehab assignment prior to being reinstated.

Romano struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Guardians.

Romano has pitched five consecutive scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out five and walking none in that span. He's picked up two saves and a hold during that stretch. Amid a rough start to the season, Romano was demoted to a low-leverage role, and a six-run blowup against the Marlins on April 19 didn't help him regain trust quickly. He's found a little bit of stability now, and it could be telling that Romano got the ninth inning against the heart of Cleveland's order while Jose Alvarado handled the eighth inning in Sunday's contest. However, barring an announcement from manager Rob Thomson, it's best to view the Phillies' bullpen as an emerging closer committee for now.

Lauer (1-0) allowed a hit and a walk while striking out five over 4.2 scoreless innings to earn the win Sunday over the Mariners.

Jose Urena started, but he covered two innings and was pulled after giving up a solo home run to Dylan Moore to lead off the third. Lauer then took over and threw over twice as many pitches as Urena (63 to 31). Lauer has made two bulk-relief appearances and one as a more traditional reliever. While Urena appears to officially have a spot in the rotation, Lauer has also been kept on a starter's schedule since his April 30 season debut. The situation is fluid for now, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Lauer eventually get a start since he has history in that role in his previous major-league stops with Milwaukee and San Diego.

Hodge (2-1) allowed three runs on three hits while retiring just one batter to take the loss Sunday against the Mets.

A day after converting his second save of the season, Hodge struggled to replicate the positive results. The righty saw things crumble in the eighth inning with the score tied 2-2, and his ERA climbed from 4.24 to 5.71 in the process. Hodge was potentially gaining on Ryan Pressly as Chicago's preferred closing option, though this might set the former back to some degree. With Pressly's ERA sitting at 7.07, neither pitcher is inspiring much confidence from fantasy managers at the moment.

Tonkin (shoulder) has developed biceps tendinitis during his rehab assignment and will receive an injection, MLB.com reports.

It's not clear what treatment he'll receive for the tendinitis, but this will be a significant setback. He was nearing the end of his 30-day rehab stint in the minors, so he'll need to start the process again when healthy. Tonkin suffered a right shoulder strain early in spring training and began the season on the injured list. He had made six rehab outings before developing the biceps issue.

Chapman earned the save in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Royals, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning.

Chapman was called upon to face the heart of the Royals' order and worked around an error and a single to secure his sixth save in as many chances. The veteran closer has been outstanding so far this season, posting a 1.88 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 20:5 K:BB across 14.1 innings.

Walker (1-2) yielded two runs (one earned) on two hits and an intentional walk while taking the loss against Minnesota on Sunday. He recorded two outs in the 10th inning and was charged with a blown save.

Walker entered the bottom of the 10th inning with a 6-5 lead and hit another speed bump. He gave up an RBI groundout to Ryan Jeffers and a walk-off single to DaShawn Keirsey. Walker has blown two of his nine save chances this season and has been tagged with nine earned runs over his last six innings. His ERA has ballooned up to 6.43 across 14 frames this season. Camilo Doval has gone 13.1 innings -- including one Sunday -- since yielding his last earned run.

Megill earned the save in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Rays, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Megill was called upon to protect a 4-2 lead in the ninth and did so on just 13 pitches. Since blowing his first save April 12, the 31-year-old has converted four straight chances while yielding only one run over nine appearances. On the season, he owns a 3.18 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB across 11.1 innings while securing five saves in six opportunities.

Booser threw a perfect ninth inning to earn a save against Miami on Sunday.

Booser needed only six pitches (five strikes) to retire the Marlins' 8-9-1 hitters in Sunday's win. It was his first save of the season after picking up his first win of the year Friday against Miami. He now owns a 4.80 ERA with a 15:8 K:B across 15 innings. Two of Booser's last three appearances have been save opportunities, and the White Sox's closer role still appears to be very fluid.

McFarland exited Sunday's 12-2 loss to the Yankees in the top of the eighth inning due to a left groin injury, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

McFarland suffered the groin injury while covering first base on a groundout by Austin Wells. Wells was the only batter McFarland faced before exiting the contest. The Athletics are likely to send McFarland in for more tests Monday before determining whether his groin issue is significant enough to force him to the injured list.