MLB Player News

Pomeranz didn't factor into the decision in Boston's 5-3 victory over the Blue Jays on Sunday, giving up three earned runs on five hits, striking out six and walking five before departing after four innings.

Pomeranz struggled with his control in this one, issuing five free passes that bloated his pitch count to 103, forcing an early exit from the contest after just four innings. He's only thrown 24.2 innings since coming off the disabled list with a forearm injury, but the early returns haven't been strong, as Pomeranz sports a 5.47 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP over his first five starts. He was coming off back-to-back quality starts before Sunday's game, however, and he had a 3.32 ERA in each of the past two seasons, so hopefully Pomeranz can recapture that consistency as he logs more starts.

May (elbow) covered three scoreless innings in his first rehab start for High-A Fort Myers on Saturday. He scattered three walks and a hit and struck out five.

Taking the hill for the first time in affiliated ball since 2016 after requiring Tommy John surgery last spring, May turned in a quality performance in the 58-pitch outing. He'll likely require at least two or three more starts in the minors to build up to a starter's workload before the Twins activate May from the 60-day disabled list. May appears unlikely to have a spot in the big-league rotation waiting for him once he's ready to go, so it's possible the Twins use him out of the bullpen or assign him to Triple-A Rochester.

The Rays optioned Kittredge to Triple-A Durham on Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kittredge's demotion comes shortly after he was pummeled for six runs on six hits and a walk while failing to record an out in his 24-pitch appearance during Sunday's 17-1 loss to the Orioles. Look for the Rays to bring a fresh reliever onto the 25-man roster ahead of Monday's series opener in Kansas City.

Martin (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Frisco on Monday.

Martin, who last pitched April 30 before hitting the 10-day disabled list, may need to make a couple of appearances in the minors before the Rangers are comfortable adding him back to the active roster. Prior to allowing four runs in the April 30 outing, Martin had been one of the Rangers' top late-inning options, producing a 2.70 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over his first 15 appearances of the season.

White Sox manager Rick Renteria confirmed that Fulmer would make his next scheduled start Wednesday in Pittsburgh, Scot Gregor of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

Fulmer's back-to-back quality starts April 23 and 28 are beginning to look like major outliers, as the 24-year-old has otherwise been tagged for 22 runs (19 earned) on 27 hits and 15 walks across 17.1 innings in his other six outings (five starts) this season. Despite failing to escape the second inning his last time out Friday against the Cubs, Fulmer hasn't lost the faith of the White Sox skipper just yet, though Renteria's patience has surely been tested. Fulmer will get another chance to prove his worth Wednesday but could be at risk of a demotion to Triple-A Charlotte if he falters again with Miguel Gonzalez (shoulder) and Carlos Rodon (shoulder) both nearing returns from the disabled list.

Graveman (shin) completed a bullpen session and did some running Sunday, putting him on track to make his next scheduled start Wednesday against the Red Sox, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

MLB.com is already listing Graveman as the Athletics' probable starter for Wednesday, so it appears the bruised shin he sustained in his return to the big leagues Friday isn't an issue. After turning in a 8.89 ERA and 1.84 WHIP through his first six starts this season before being optioned to Triple-A Nashville, Graveman came through with a quality start Friday, holding a powerful Yankees offense to four runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks to capture his first win of the campaign. Graveman should hold down a rotation spot until Trevor Cahill (elbow) is cleared to return from the 10-day disabled list.

Merritt (knee) was diagnosed Sunday with left shoulder inflammation and will be shut down from throwing for about 3-to-5 days, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Merritt opened the campaign on the 10-day disabled list after a left knee issue suffered during the offseason delayed him in spring training, but the shoulder injury now looks to be the greater concern. The lefty made just one rehab start at Triple-A Columbus on May 4 before his rehab was put on hold after he felt "sluggish" while throwing, according to Bastian. Even if Merritt receives clearance to resume throwing next week and goes ahead with his rehab assignment soon thereafter, he'll likely need multiple outings to build up to a starter's workload. That will likely delay his activation until at least June, making him a candidate to shift to the 60-day DL if the Indians need to open up a 40-man roster spot for another player.

Colome fired a scoreless ninth inning during a win over the Orioles in the second game of a doubleheader Saturday.

After not having pitched since Sunday, Colome was called on by manager Kevin Cash for some low-leverage work in the blowout win. The 29-year-old closer has generated scoreless efforts in three of four May appearances, with his one hiccup having come when he surrendered the winning run versus the Blue Jays six days prior.

The Blue Jays designated Ramirez for assignment Sunday.

Ramirez will cede his spot on the 40-man roster to Deck McGuire, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. The right-hander, who enjoyed a 47.2-inning scoreless streak across three levels at one point in 2017, made two appearances for the big club this season, giving up a run on one hit and five walks in 2.1 innings. If Ramirez goes unclaimed off waivers, he'll likely report to Buffalo.

The Orioles recalled Hart from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Jimmy Yacabonis was optioned to Norfolk in a corresponding move, giving the Orioles a fresher arm in Hart to aid the bullpen on the heels of Saturday's doubleheader with the Rays. Hart previously made two appearances for Baltimore back in April, covering 2.2 innings and giving up an unearned run.