MLB Player News

Marte was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Monday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Marte appeared in Sunday's series finale against the Cardinals but didn't fare well, as he surrendered four runs (two earned) on three hits and four walks over 1.2 innings. The right-hander owns a 7.71 ERA and 1.71 WHIP with a 7:6 K:BB across 9.1 frames so far this season in the big leagues.

Ferguson (elbow) was activated off the injured list Monday.

Ferguson is finally ready to go after making his way back from Tommy John surgery, a procedure he underwent back in September of 2020. He's ready to go after making six rehab appearances, though he struggled significantly in those outings, allowing eight runs (six earned) on 10 hits across 4.2 frames. Michael Grove was optioned to clear space on the roster.

Peters is listed as the Pirates' starting pitcher for Monday's game against the Cubs.

Peters is presumably serving as an opener or tandem starter in front of Bryse Wilson, who should step in for the lefty in the middle innings. Over his 10 appearances (three starts) this season, Peters hasn't recorded more than 10 outs, so the Pirates will likely pull him well before the Chicago lineup turns over a third time.

Martinez will be replaced in the rotation by Blake Snell (groin) this week, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Martinez struggled in his last start, allowing five runs over four innings against the Cubs. That may have clinched his move out of the rotation in the wake of Snell's return Wednesday, especially since MacKenzie Gore has outpitched Martinez overall. Gore is also expected to to spend some time coming out of the bullpen, as San Diego has the enviable "problem" of having so much starting pitching depth that there isn't enough room for every talented arm in the rotation. Martinez will likely pitch in long relief but could move back into the rotation at some point in the campaign if necessitated by injuries.

Suter (personal) was reinstated from the paternity list Monday.

Suter missed the Brewers' weekend series against the Marlins following the birth of his child, but he'll rejoin the club prior to Monday's series opener in Milwaukee against Atlanta. Over five appearances since the start of May, the southpaw has posted a 1.80 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in five innings.

The Marlins recalled Castano from Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Castano had been on track to Tuesday's game for Jacksonville, so unless he's needed out of the bullpen in the Marlins' series opener with the Nationals on Monday, he would be lined up to fill the void in the big-league rotation for Tuesday's game, which was created by Jesus Luzardo's (forearm) recent placement on the injured list.The Marlins deployed Castano as a one-inning reliever in both of his prior appearances at the big-league level this season, but the lefty stretched out to 5.2 innings in his most recent outing for Jacksonville on May 11. Long reliever Cody Poteet looms as another option to enter the rotation Tuesday if the Marlins elect to go in a different direction.

McHugh didn't allow a baserunner in two-thirds of an inning during Sunday's loss to the Padres.

Despite his own line being clean, McHugh got stuck with his second blown save of the season as he entered the game with one out in the seventh inning and Atlanta holding a 3-2 lead, and he allowed an inherited runner to score. The veteran righty has been a disappointment so far in 2022, posting a 4.97 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB through 12.2 innings with only one hold.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said discussions are ongoing about Melancon remaining the team's closer, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.

Melancon was unavailable to pitch Sunday after appearing in three of the last four games, so Ian Kennedy entered the ninth inning with the score tied. Lovullo has used Melancon in tie games before, including a pair of epic losses last week, but was not prepared to answer the question about a role change. "We're going to still have some more discussions about his availability," Lovullo said. "You know, he's had a heavy workload, he was on (the injured COVID list) for a short period of time. I was probably asking a little too much too soon. So I'll take a little bit of the blame for what he did three out of four, but I don't know that answer right now." Should there be a change, Kennedy is the most likely to serve as closer.

Bard (1-1) allowed two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out one in one inning to take the loss and the blown save Sunday against the Royals.

After tossing eight scoreless innings while converting seven saves between April 15 and May 7, Bard has struggled over his last two outings. During that time, he's allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits and four walks while striking out two in 1.1 innings. The Rockies came back from a 6-0 deficit by scoring seven runs in the bottom of the seventh inning Sunday, but Bard let the lead slip away in the ninth. In spite of his recent struggles, the right-hander has built up decent job security as Colorado's closer by converting all but two of his 11 save chances this season.

Bednar tossed a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Sunday's win over the Reds.

Bednar failed to record a strikeout during an appearance for the first time this year during Sunday's outing, but he still picked up his fifth save in his last six appearances. The right-hander has converted all seven of his save chances while posting a 1.00 ERA, 25:3 K:BB and 0.61 WHIP in 18 innings over 15 appearances this season. Chris Stratton has also taken on some ninth-inning duties early in the season, but Bednar appears to be the current favorite for save chances.