MLB Player News

Martinez earned a hold against the Mets on Friday with a perfect eighth inning of work.

Yu Darvish gave the Padres a standout seven-inning start during which he allowed only one run, and Martinez continued that excellence by retiring all three batters he faced on 12 pitches in the eighth frame. The outing was the fourth straight in which Martinez has worked one inning or fewer after he went at least two frames in each of his first 16 appearances -- most of which came as a starter -- this season. With two holds in his past three relief outings, it appears that the right-hander is moving into more of a high-leverage role in the San Diego bullpen.

Vesia (2-0) earned the win against San Francisco on Friday by retiring the only batter he faced.

With the game tied 1-1 in the eighth inning, Vesia was summoned with two outs and two runners on base to face David Villar. Vesia got Villar to ground out, and the lefty reliever earned the win as a result of Los Angeles scoring four times in the bottom of the frame. It was a nice bounce-back effort from Vesia after he allowed two runs in two-thirds of an inning against the Giants on Thursday.

Rogers worked a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his 27th save of the season in a 4-1 win over the Mets.

He did hit a batter with a pitch but otherwise Rogers was sharp, tossing 11 of 15 pitches for strikes. The southpaw may be over his early July struggles, as he's converted four straight save chances and turned in three straight scoreless appearances. On the season, Rogers sports a 3.72 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 44:7 K:BB through 38.2 innings.

Hudson (neck) threw a pain-free bullpen session Thursday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Hudson's next step is likely to be a rehab assignment, though a date for that has yet to be announced. If all goes well, he could be activated for next weekend's series versus the Nationals. The Cardinals are expected to get by with a four-man rotation next week since they have both Monday and Thursday off.

Long (1-3) took the loss Friday versus the Dodgers. He allowed four unearned runs on two hits, a walk and a hit batter while striking out one in one inning.

Long had some control issues, as evidenced by a wild pitch and his plunking of Jake Lamb before serving up a grand slam to Cody Bellinger. While this mess wasn't his alone, it was the third time Long's allowed multiple runs in his last five outings. The southpaw has a 2.92 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 26:12 K:BB through 37 innings in 23 appearances (six starts). With Jakob Junis back from the injured list and ready to rejoin the rotation, Long is likely to serve as a middle reliever capable of working multiple innings.

Arano (knee) allowed three runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks without recording a strikeout in one inning during Friday's 10-1 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Arano's return after more than a six-week absence wasn't a great one, though an error by Maikel Franco extended the Diamondbacks' eighth-inning rally. Arano allowed only one baserunner while striking out five over three innings in three appearances with Triple-A Rochester after his rehab progressed past rookie ball. The right-hander has a 5.18 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 25:6 K:BB in 24.1 innings this year, but he'll likely handle mostly low-leverage work for now.

Graterol (shoulder) played catch from 90 feet Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Graterol was reportedly pain-free prior to the session and hasn't felt any discomfort since. He'll continue to ramp up and a return in early-to-mid August appears realistic, barring any setbacks.

Treinen (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Treinen threw 36 pitches in a bullpen session July 13 and threw off flat ground during the All-Star break. Assuming all goes according to plan, Treinen will face hitters in live batting practice by the close of July. He'll likely need at least a brief rehab appearance, putting him in line for a mid-August return.

Holderman was traded to the Pirates in exchange for Daniel Vogelbach on Friday, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Holderman will head to Pittsburgh after producing a 2.04 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with 18 punchouts over 17.2 innings in 15 appearances with the Mets this season. He'll likely fill a middle relief role with the Pirates, but the rookie could slip into a high-leverage spot if the Bucs trade some veteran relievers at the deadline.

May (triceps) is expected to begin a rehab assignment in the near future, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Manager Buck Showalter said Friday that he believes May is close to starting a rehab assignment. The reliever has been out since early May while nursing a stress reaction in the lower portion of his humerus. Prior to getting hurt, May had struggled to a 8.64 ERA and 1.92 WHIP over 8.1 innings in eight appearances.