MLB Player News

The Athletics optioned Martinez to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

A four-run, 4.1-inning start Monday raised Martinez's ERA to an unimpressive 6.52 mark. It remains to be seen whether the righty gets more big-league opportunities this season.

Heller announced Tuesday via his personal Twitter account that he signed a minor-league contract with the Twins.

The 30-year-old right-hander totaled 31 appearances in the big leagues with the Yankees from 2016 through 2020, but he's been out of action for nearly two years since suffering a stress fracture of his elbow while he was attending spring training with the Diamondbacks in 2021. His signing with the Twins is an indication that he's healthy again, but due to his extended absence, Heller will likely need to ramp up at extended spring training for several weeks before he's assigned to one of the Twins' upper-level affiliates.

Marinaccio (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

Marinaccio will advance to mound work after his inflamed right shoulder responded well to long toss. The rookie reliever noted that his time on the 15-day injured list has allowed him to adjust some flaws in his mechanics, so he's hopeful that he'll remain effective upon returning from the shelf, likely at some point after the All-Star break. Marinaccio produced a 2.33 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in 19.1 innings before landing on the IL on July 2.

The Rays placed Fleming (oblique) on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The oblique injury which shortened Fleming's relief outing Monday against Boston will sideline him through the All-Star break. Even once healthy, the lefty may not pitch many innings for the Rays in their wild-card chase if he doesn't improve upon his 6.84 ERA and 1.97 WHIP.

Loaisiga (shoulder) had his rehab assignment shifted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and will start Tuesday.

Loaisiga will make another rehab appearance Tuesday, starting for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in what could be his final outing prior to returning to the big leagues. The right-hander could return prior to the All-Star break, though it may make more sense to wait until after the festivities to activate him.

The Guardians plan to call Pilkington up from Triple-A Columbus to start the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the White Sox, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Cleveland is expected to designate Pilkington as its 27th man for the twin bill, meaning that he'll presumably be optioned back to Columbus following the doubleheader. Pilkington has previously made 10 appearances (seven starts) for Cleveland this season, going 1-1 with a 4.08 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 34:20 K:BB across 35.1 innings.

The Royals returned Zerpa to Double-A Northwest Arkansas following Monday's doubleheader with the Tigers.

Zerpa had been designated as the Royals' 27th man for the twin bill, so he was never expected to stick around with the big club beyond Monday. He appeared in relief in the second game of the doubleheader, tossing two scoreless frames en route to securing his first MLB win.

Leclerc did not allow a hit or walk while striking out one over two scoreless innings in Monday's 10-8 win over Oakland.

Leclerc threw multiple innings for the third time in his last four outings. After a rough patch following his reinstatement from the 60-day injured list in mid-June, the right-hander has settled in nicely, pitching seven scoreless innings during the month of July. The former closer has been used to pitching single innings to this point, but manager Chris Woodward may have found a new role for Leclerc.

Martinez (2-2) allowed six runs (four earned) on four hits and four walks with three strikeouts in 4.1 innings, taking the loss Monday versus the Rangers.

Since rejoining the Athletics in late June, Martinez has two bad starts and one good one. Monday was a struggle, as he had two wild pitches and a balk lead to two runs in the second inning. The Rangers' got to him for three more runs in the fourth and another in the fifth before he exited the contest. With only a tenuous grasp on a rotation spot, Martinez can't afford much inconsistency. He's posted a 6.52 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB across 19.1 innings this year. If Frankie Montas (shoulder) returns during the upcoming three-game series versus the Astros, it's unclear if Martinez will make another start before the All-Star break. His turn would come up Sunday if he stays in the rotation.

Martin allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Monday's 10-8 win over the Athletics.

Martin made it a bit interesting by putting two runners on with two outs, but he struck out Chad Pinder to end the threat. All three of Martin's saves this year have come in his last three appearances, and he has a 3.2-inning scoreless streak. With Joe Barlow out of the closer role, it appears Martin has gotten the first look at the bulk of the ninth-inning duties. Dennis Santana and Matt Bush are also expected to get save chances based on matchups, but Martin's made the most of his opportunity with effective results so far. The southpaw owns a 2.89 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 24:10 K:BB through 28 innings this season.