MLB Player News

Martin was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

Martin began the season in the major-league bullpen and gave up two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out nine in six innings during his two relief appearances. Although he was relatively effective, he'll head to the minors after infielder Matt Davidson's contract was selected Thursday.

Lee was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

He was promoted Tuesday as bullpen depth and didn't get in a game before heading back to the minors.

Hader picked up his sixth save of the season in Wednesday's victory over the Orioles.

The save was Hader's sixth of the season and third since Sunday. Hader has been a fantasy force early on, as in addition to tying for the league lead in saves, he has yet to allow a run and has given up just two hits while posting a 9:2 K:BB over six innings.

Bender (0-1) took the loss Wednesday as the Marlins fell 2-0 to the Cardinals, giving up two runs on one hit and one walk while striking out two in the ninth inning.

The right-hander entered a 0-0 game in the top of the ninth and promptly struck out Paul Goldschmidt, but after walking Tyler O'Neill, Bender served up the game-winning homer to Nolan Arenado on a fastball that didn't get far enough inside to jam the third baseman. Bender has had a rough start to the season, posting an 8.31 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over 4.1 innings, and while he's converted two of his three saves chances, his hold on the closer job for Miami seems very tenuous.

Gallegos gave up a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his third save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Marlins.

There was some concern in the spring whether Gallegos would have to share save opportunities for the Cardinals this season or be the team's primary closer, but he's answered those questions decisively through the first couple weeks. The 30-year-old right-hander has yet to allow a run over five appearances, converting all three of his save chances and posting a 5:2 K:BB over 5.1 innings.

Leiter will start Thursday's game against the Pirates in Chicago.

Despite getting lit up for seven earned runs over 3.1 innings in his Cubs debut last weekend in Colorado, Leiter will make a second turn in the rotation while starting pitchers Wade Miley (elbow) and Alec Mills (back) remain on the injured list. Once one of those two pitchers are healthy, Leiter will likely lose his spot in rotation, and potentially his spot on the 40-man roster, too.

Kahnle (elbow) pitched two-thirds of an inning for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out one.

This was Kahnle's first rehab appearance at the Triple-A level following three outings with Low-A Rancho Cucamonga. The right-hander has struck out four batters over 3.2 innings combined while issuing just one walk. He's expected to be ready to return to the big club in early May.

Gilbreath allowed two earned runs on one hit and one walk across two-thirds of an inning Wednesday against the Phillies.

Gilbreath was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Monday, so this outing marked his season debut. He entered the game in the seventh inning with the bases loaded and the score tied. He hit the first batter he faced to force in a run, but the big blow came two hitters later when he allowed a three-run home run to Johan Camargo. Gilbreath was solid out of the Rockies' bullpen in 2021, maintaining a 3.38 ERA and 1.31 WHIP across 42.2 frames while also tallying four holds. He should hold a similar role in 2022.

Chavez was traded from the Cubs to Atlanta on Wednesday in exchange for Sean Newcomb and cash considerations.

Chavez signed a split deal with Chicago in March but will now return to Atlanta, where he spent the 2021 campaign. He had a 2.14 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 36:11 K:BB over 33.2 innings for the reigning champs last year.

Reed (oblique) was activated from the 10-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Reed was held out of Grapefruit League play due to his left oblique strain, and he spent the first two weeks of the regular season on the IL. Although he's now healthy, he'll head to Syracuse since the Mets don't have room in their big-league bullpen. The right-hander made 26 relief appearances at the Triple-A level last year and posted a 5.04 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 30.1 innings.