MLB Player News

Martinez (5-5) pitched a complete-game shutout with 11 strikeouts to beat the Phillies on Saturday.

While it would be nice to have a few more wins, it's difficult to complain about Martinez's high-end results this season. He boasts a 2.95 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with 99 strikeouts through 88.1 innings, and the 25-year-old righty is on track for a career year. He lines up for a home start against Milwaukee next.

Matz (elbow) allowed one run on five hits and one walk while striking out two batters over seven innings in a win over the Braves in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader.

The strikeout total was low, but it goes down as a highly successful 2017 debut for Matz nonetheless. He retired 15 of the first 17 batters he faced and was efficient throughout the outing, needing 98 pitches to complete the seven frames (67 strikes). A tough test awaits Matz next week in the Nationals, but the early returns are looking promising for those who stashed the lefty as he worked his way back from an elbow injury.

Pill was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas following Saturday's doubleheader, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

This move was made in anticipation of Seth Lugo's return from the DL on Sunday. Pill didn't exactly post stellar numbers during his time with the big-league club, but he figures to get another opportunity in long relief at some point later in the year when the bullpen is taxed.

Williams gave up five runs on six hits (including two homers) over four innings in a no-decision against the Marlins on Saturday. He struck three batters and did not issue a walk.

The offense rallied and the bullpen held steady to take Williams off the hook for the loss after a disappointing performance. His numbers don't look particularly good (5.13 ERA, 1.33 WHIP), but Williams did have back-to-back quality starts in his previous two outings, and with Tyler Glasnow demoted, it looks like Williams will continue on in a starting role.

Wood (shoulder) was activated from the DL on Saturday, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

This was fully expected, but Wood's inclusion in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Reds provides confirmation that the lefty will indeed make his return from the shoulder issue. Wood went 6-0 with a 1.69 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 60:15 K:BB in 10 appearances (eight starts) before being placed on the disabled list May 29.

Maeda tossed four innings of one-run ball while striking out six in relief Friday, picking up his first career save in the process.

It was a successful debut in the bullpen for the 29-year-old, who was recently booted from the rotation to make way for Alex Wood (shoulder). While he earned the rare four-inning save Friday, Maeda won't be seeing save opportunities regularly as a long reliever. His fantasy value is diminished in this role, but he could return to relevance should a spot in the rotation open up again.

Hill (3-2) went five innings while giving up one run and striking out five in Friday's win over the Reds.

Hill struggled with his pitch count (98 pitches), but he still managed to turn in his second win in three starts. The southpaw's inability to go deep into games (no start past five innings) and a lack of control (6.1 BB/9) has severely limited his fantasy value. That said, his blister issues seem to be behind him and the potential the 37-year-old flashed last season keeps him in the conversation in fantasy circles in the event he can recapture last season's dominance.

Matz (elbow) will start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Braves, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

It was confirmed earlier this week that Matz would start one of the Saturday games, and with the corresponding move of Matt Reynolds heading to Triple-A Las Vegas, Matz is set to join the roster and hit the bump for Game 2 against Atlanta. The southpaw has been out since September of last season, and is ready to roll after completing four rehab starts over the past month.

Gray (foot) will make his first rehab start Wednesday with High-A Lancaster, Patrick Saunders of MLB.com reports.

Gray recently threw 36 pitches in a simulated game while also fielding groundballs and throwing to bases during his rehab. The right-hander has been out for almost two months now, and will likely need two or three rehab starts to prepare for his return to Colorado.

Taillon (groin) will start Monday's game against the Rockies, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Taillon's start Monday marks the first appearance for the right-hander since undergoing surgery for testicular cancer about five weeks ago. He threw six innings with Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday in his final rehab start, allowing five runs but striking out nine and hitting 97 on the radar gun. Tyler Glasnow is headed to Indianapolis and Taillon is set to take his place in the rotation moving forward.