MLB Player News

Martinez cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday.

Martinez was designated for assignment last Saturday but will remain in the Angels organization after clearing waivers. He's gone 1-for-3 over five games with the big-league club this season but is slashing a meager .189/.308/.369 with six homers and 14 RBI over 130 plate appearances at Salt Lake.

Ramirez was removed from Saturday's tilt against Detroit in the sixth inning for unspecified reasons, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

It's not immediately clear why Ramirez was removed, but he fouled out during a plate appearance in the bottom of the fifth inning and was pulled for a defensive substitute in the top of the sixth. His removal is the continuation of a brutal day for the Guardians, who earlier lost outfielders Chase DeLauter (ribs) and Angel Martinez (foot) due to injuries. Cleveland has consequently had to shuffle around players on defense Saturday -- Daniel Schneemann is playing third base, Kyle Manzardo has entered at first base, Steven Kwan has taken over in center field and Rhys Hoskins is in left field for his first appearance in the outfield since 2018.

The Rockies sent Bellozo outright to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.

Bellozo was jettisoned off the Rockies' 40-man roster after posting an 8.83 ERA and 1.83 WHIP across 52 innings in the minors. No team was willing to pick him up off waivers, so the 26-year-old righty will remain in the organization as rotation depth at Albuquerque. Eiberson Castellano was selected to the MLB roster in a corresponding move.

Ragans (elbow) had a throwing session cut short Friday and will undergo additional testing, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

According to manager Matt Quatraro, Ragans "woke up yesterday [Friday], not feeling as well arm-wise." The southpaw still attempted to throw, but he had to cut the session short. As a result, Kansas City has elected to have Ragans sent in for more testing, which will take place "in the next couple of days." The 28-year-old had progressed to throwing bullpen sessions in his rehab from a left elbow impingement, but the setback may push back his timeline to rejoin Kansas City's rotation.

The Rockies optioned Criswell to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.

Criswell turned in scoreless frames in both of his appearances after being recalled from Triple-A on Tuesday, but he'll be sent back down so the Rockies can get a fresh bullpen arm in the form of Eiberson Castellano. Criswell hasn't performed nearly as well at Albuquerque this season (nine earned runs in 10.2 IP), but his performance with the Rockies could keep him in consideration for a return to Colorado later in the year.

Blanco (elbow) tossed 40 pitches in a simulated game Saturday and will soon start a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Florida Complex League, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Blanco has been sidelined all season while continuing his recovery from last June's Tommy John surgery with an internal brace. The right-hander has been throwing bullpen sessions for a few months and progressed to facing live hitters in late May. Blanco now appears ready to return to game action in the FCL, though he isn't expected to be ready to pitch for the Astros until after the All-Star break.

The Rockies selected Castellano's contract from Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.

Castellano has spent most of the season at Double-A Hartford, though he made his last appearance at Albuquerque and pitched six shutout innings while striking out seven batters and allowing three men to reach base. The 25-year-old will now get a chance to show what he can do in the majors while presumably working in a long-relief role. Jeff Criswell was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Castellano on the active roster, and Valente Bellozo was outrighted to Albuquerque to free up a 40-man spot.

Diaz (oblique) could be reinstated from the 10-day injured list during the Astros' upcoming series versus Detroit, which begins Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Diaz has been shelved since early May due to a left oblique strain. He began a minor-league rehab assignment Tuesday and has gone 2-for-11 with a walk through three games with Triple-A Sugar Land. Diaz should reclaim his job as Houston's No. 1 catcher upon his return, though his .602 OPS through 26 games this season may leave the door open for the defensively superior Christian Vazquez to force a timeshare.

Martinez had X-rays come back negative and was diagnosed with a bruised left foot Saturday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Martinez was pulled from Saturday's matchup against Detroit due to the injury, which occurred when he fouled a ball off his foot in the first inning. The fact that he initially stayed in the game bodes well for his likelihood of avoiding of a long-term absence, as does the negative X-rays. Still, it's too early to tell whether Martinez will need to miss additional time.

Lodolo didn't factor into the decision in Friday's loss to the Diamondbacks, giving up two earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five batters over 5.1 innings.

Lodolo was working with a lead for the vast majority of his start, but hopes of capturing his first win of June were dashed in the sixth inning after he plunked Jordan Lawlar, who then swiped second base and came around to score on LuJames Groover's single. Having to settle for a no-decision doesn't change the fact that Lodolo has been showing improvement on the mound after running into early struggles this year, turning in a 3.91 ERA and 1.39 WHIP with a 19:5 K:BB across his last four starts, each of which has lasted at least five innings.