MLB Player News

Johnson was forced to leave his start with Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday after injuring his right calf, Josh Norris of Baseball America reports.

The southpaw had cruised through 1.2 innings, recording five strikeouts and allowing two hits, before he suffered an untimely pop in his calf. Johnson was a potential candidate to start in the big leagues next Friday -- when the Red Sox will need a fifth starter to replace the injured Eduardo Rodriguez (knee) -- but the team may need to look elsewhere for replacements. Expect a firm reevaluation sometime within the next week to determine the extent of his injury.

Magnifico was recalled by the Angels on Saturday.

A post-DFA trade sent Magnifico from the Orioles to the Angels in early May. He has mostly struggled during his time with Triple-A Salt Lake, giving up eight earned runs on 13 hits and five walks in just nine innings, but the Angels were in desperate need of a fresh arm after JC Ramirez was chased early Friday.

Martinez will be available out of the bullpen Saturday and Sunday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The Rangers are in need of some length after Dillon Gee worked four innings Friday, and Martinez will be the one ticketed for relief duty, at least temporarily. There's still a chance Martinez could start Tuesday if he is not needed out of the bullpen in the coming days, but otherwise, the team will likely be forced to dip into the minor-league system for an arm. Martinez was knocked around for five runs on six hits (including three homers) over 4.1 innings in his last start.

Farmer is the leading candidate to be recalled to join the Tigers' rotation next week, presumably starting Wednesday against the Angels, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

With Matt Boyd getting demoted, the Tigers could wait until June 10 before needing to move from a four-man rotation, but manager Brad Ausmus said they will add a fifth starter before then. Woodbery stressed that this is simply a guess at to who might join the rotation, but it makes sense, as Farmer last started for Triple-A Toledo on Thursday, so he could start Wednesday on an extra day of rest. He struck out 11 in a 6.1-inning scoreless start for the Tigers earlier this year, so he also has recent production on his side. Farmer has a 3.86 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 56:12 K:BB in 60.2 innings with Toledo this year, so that big-league start looks like a major outlier.

Farquhar struck out one and gave up four earned runs on three hits and two walks over an inning in Friday's 12-4 loss to the Mariners.

The veteran reliever was touched up for the highest amount of earned runs he's given up on the season, and he's now surrendered seven earned runs over the 1.2 innings encompassing his last two outings. Farquhar has seen his ERA rise from 2.59 to 4.85 over that stretch, while his WHIP has seen a bump up to 1.42.

Goldberg was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday.

With Michael Ynoa (hip flexor) landing on the 10-day DL, Goldberg was called up to add some depth to a depleted bullpen. He should serve in low-leverage situations.

Neal struck out one and surrendered seven earned runs on nine hits over 3.1 innings in Friday's 13-3 loss to the Nationals.

The right-hander threw a whopping 69 pitches during his brief time on the mound, surrendering home runs to Jayson Werth, Brian Goodwin and Anthony Rendon that netted a total of six runs. It was only Neal's second appearance since being recalled from Triple-A Nashville on May 24, with the 28-year-old having fired three scoreless frames against the Indians last Monday in his other outing.

Chapman (shoulder) threw a side session Saturday and is on track for a June 15 return date, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

This is yet another encouraging development in Chapman's rehab as he threw 15 pitches on the side Saturday. The Yankees will likely continue to have him gradually ramp up his workload in the coming weeks with the intent of getting him back in Pinstripes by the middle of the month. Given the length of Chapman's absence, the Yankees could send him on a brief rehab stint before activating their hard-throwing closer.

Johnson is the scheduled starter for Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday.

The Saturday slot puts Johnson right on schedule for a potential callup to pitch for Boston next Friday, the next time the Red Sox will need a fifth starter. Boston will need a starter after the team placed Eduardo Rodriguez (knee) on the 10-day disabled list Friday. The left-hander experienced a subluxation of the ligament in his right knee following a stumble in the bullpen prior to Thursday's game in Baltimore. If Johnson comes out of Saturday's start without issue, he's expected to make his third start for the Red Sox next week.

Giles allowed a home run and struck out one over one inning in a non-save situation in Friday's 7-1 win over the Rangers.

Giles hadn't pitched since the previous Friday, so his arm needed the work. The home run was the first he's allowed this season and the sixth run he's allowed during non-save opportunities. In non-save situations, Giles' ERA is 7.61 compared to 1.29 when a save is on the line.