MLB Player News

Martinez was called up Friday night and will start Saturday against the Royals.

Martinez is needed as a spot starter with A.J. Griffin (ankle) now on the disabled list. Griffin is dealing with gout in his ankle and isn't expected to miss much time. Unless Martinez does something very impressive against Kansas City, expect his major league stay to be a short one.

Giles pitched a perfect ninth inning while striking out two batters to earn his fourth save Friday against the Rays.

Giles was called upon to protect a three-run lead, and easily closed out the contest without an ounce of drama. After getting roughed up in three consecutive outings, he's now settled down and held opponents scoreless in each of his last three contests. Assuming he doesn't go into another slump, he should have no problem holding down the closer role for the Astros.

Pomeranz (1-1) allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over 5.1 innings to take the loss Friday against the Orioles.

Although Pomeranz performed admirably on the road at Camden Yards, he wasn't given a single run of support, resulting in his first loss of the season. He's now pitched well in two of his three starts and, despite a 4.60 ERA, he should be able to pile up a solid number of wins as his offense is sure to perform better than they did in this contest. He'll make his next start Thursday against the Yankees.

Garton was called up to the majors on Friday, Fox Sports Florida reports.

Garton will be taking the roster spot vacated by the injured Xavier Cedeno. As a player with options who was one of the last men cut from the Rays in spring training, expect Garton to spend lots of time up-and-down between Triple-A Durham and the major leagues this year. He had an excellent start in the minors, as he racked up 10 strikeouts and allowed just one run on three hits over 6.2 innings.

Graveman (shoulder) felt "great" after a bullpen session Friday and is slated to return Tuesday against the Angels, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Graveman was on the disabled list with just mild shoulder soreness, the kind of injury that would have resulted in a pitcher merely being pushed back a few days prior to the new 10-day DL. He has been sharp in his first three starts, with a 2.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over 18 innings.

Valdez was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

This move suggests that Kendall Graveman's bullpen session Friday went well and that Graveman will indeed return to rotation next week after missing one start due to a shoulder injury. Valdez wasn't great Thursday in a spot start -- his first major-league start since 2010 -- but he at least kept the A's in the game with four innings of three-run ball against Seattle.

Strahm was recalled from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

The Royals' bullpen was taxed heavily in their 13-inning loss to Texas on Thursday, and with the left-handed pitching prospect being eligible to return from the minors Friday, he'll head back to Kansas City. Strahm will look to carry his four scoreless outings with the Storm Chasers into this next stint with the Royals. To make room for him on the roster, Raul Mondesi was sent back to Triple-A.

Flynn (ribs), who appeared in 36 games for the Royals last season, may be stashed in the minors once activated from the DL as the club takes advantage of his one remaining minor-league option, Patrick Brennan of Fansided reports.

Flynn provided 55.1 serviceable innings for the Royals in 2016, posting a top-20 ERA among relievers with at least 50 innings. The left-hander did benefit from the fourth-lowest BABIP (.228) among that same group, although it's tough to slam the 27-year-old's 2.60 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over such a solid sample size. Flynn has yet to begin a throwing program, so regardless of where he's assigned, the reliever isn't close to returning to a big-league mound.

Strahm, who was demoted to Triple-A Omaha due to early-season struggles, is eligible to return to the Royals on Friday, and may be recalled after the team's bullpen was taxed during Thursday's 13-inning contest, Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star reports.

Although the southpaw was expected to spend a bit longer refining his game in the minors, the Royals may be forced to take him back prematurely. Left-handers Mike Minor (38 pitches over three innings) and Travis Wood (31 pitches in 1.1 innings) were spent in Thursday's extra-inning affair, and with the bullpen already down to seven pitchers, the need for another arm -- especially a lefty -- seems to be a necessary move.

Valdez didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Mariners, giving up three earned runs on five hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out four.

Considering he'd last taken a big-league mound in 2010, Valdez acquitted himself reasonably well against an improving Mariners offense. He labored some, firing 76 pitches over his four frames. However, he notched nine swinging strikes and did enough to bridge the gap to the Oakland bullpen. With Kendall Graveman (shoulder) still slated to return in time for his next start, Valdez is likely headed back to Triple-A Nashville.