MLB Player News

Martin pitched a perfect inning with one strikeout to earn a hold in Monday's 5-3 win over Washington.

Martin made his first appearance since May 23, as he held been held out of action while managing vaccine side effects. The right-hander has been excellent when healthy with a 1.17 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 5:1 K:BB across 7.2 innings this season. He missed over a month with a shoulder injury, but his performance suggests he'll be in the mix for high-leverage work.

Smith pitched a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout to earn the save in Monday's 5-3 win over Washington.

After a so-so start from Charlie Morton, Atlanta's bullpen allowed just one hit over the last four innings of the game. Smith was able to close it out, and he remains a perfect 9-for-9 in save opportunities. He's had some shaky moments this year with a 1-4 record, 4.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB through 22 appearances.

Brewers manager Craig Counsell said after Monday's 3-2 win over Detroit in 10 innings that Williams wasn't available out of the bullpen due to an unspecified issue, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports. "Devin was a 'no,'" Counsell said. "He just didn't feel good [Monday], so we stayed away from him."

After claiming National League Rookie of the Year honors in 2020, Williams has taken a big step back in 2021, logging a 4.19 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 29:12 K:BB in 19.1 innings. The right shoulder injury Williams developed shortly before the playoffs last season may be having some effect on his downturn in velocity, command and control, but for now, the Brewers aren't indicating that he's being held out due to any concerning physical issue. Milwaukee could stay away from Williams again in Tuesday's series finale with Detroit, which would allow him to pick up another day of rest during Wednesday's off day.

Menez was recalled by the Giants on Monday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Menez joined the major-league roster for a doubleheader in early May but failed to make an appearance. He'll now rejoin the Giants after Scott Kazmir (personal) was placed on the restricted list Monday. Menez has made four appearances (three starts) for Triple-A Sacramento this year and has posted a 6.48 ERA and 1.85 WHIP in 8.1 innings.

Beede (elbow) has a 5.40 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 16:14 K:BB through 13.1 innings during his rehab stint with Triple-A Sacramento.

The right-hander has yet to pitch more than three innings in any of his six appearances. He's eligible to come off the 60-day injured list Monday, but based on the results so far, he'll likely continue rehabbing. Beede last pitched in the majors in 2019, when he had a 5-10 record with a 5.08 ERA and 1.48 WHIP across 117 innings. An official timeline for his return to the Giants' roster has yet to be announced.

Mears was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Mears was recalled from Indianapolis on May 26, but ultimately never made an appearance for Pittsburgh. Chad Kuhl (shoulder), who is slated to start Monday's game against the Royals, will be activated to take his roster spot.

Perez was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Perez was called up by Cincinnati on Thursday, but he'll return to the minors to make room on the active roster for Wade Miley (foot), who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Monday. Perez made two relief appearances during his most recent stint in the majors and allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out one in 1.2 innings.

Holmes pitched a scoreless inning Sunday in a 4-3 loss to Colorado, giving up one hit and a walk while striking out two.

Holmes collected his second hold of the season Sunday and first since Opening Day. The 28-year-old has not allowed a run in his last 14 outings covering 14.1 innings, lowering his earned run average to below 3.00 (2.96) for the first time since his April 6 blow-up (five runs in one-third inning). The righty entered 2021 with a career 5.91 ERA and 1.75 WHIP (in 77.2 innings) but has posted a 2.96 ERA and 1.11 WHIP (in 24.1 innings). He could move into a more high-leverage role if the team trades Richard Rodriguez and Kyle Crick at the trade deadline.

Hernandez (biceps) could return from the 60-day injured list when he's first eligible Thursday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Manager Don Mattingly recently named Miami's starters for Tuesday and Wednesday, but he hasn't yet announced who will take the mound Thursday. Hernandez made his third rehab start for Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday and allowed seven runs (six earned) on six hits and a walk while striking out five in 4.2 innings. Even though he struggled to limit offensive production, he still threw 54 of his 79 pitches for strikes during the outing.

Littell allowed two runs on two hits and struck out two in one inning of Sunday's 5-4 win over the Dodgers.

Sunday's outing was just the second time in 15 appearances the right-hander has allowed runs this season. He gave up a two-run home run to Max Muncy in the eighth inning. Littell has been an effective part of San Francisco's bullpen with a 1.98 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 12:4 K:BB across 13.2 innings. He's added four holds -- he's in the mix for high-leverage work, although Jake McGee and Tyler Rogers are expected to handle the vast majority of the closing duties.