MLB Player News

Martinez (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at Single-A Visalia on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Martinez participated in a camp game Friday and reportedly hit 100 mph on his four-seamer. The recent upheaval in the Diamondbacks' bullpen -- Paul Sewald was removed as closer -- indicates Martinez could reclaim the job once he's healthy. That may not happen until September, however.

Sewald allowed five runs on five hits and failed to retire a batter in Saturday's 12-8 win over the Guardians.

Sewald was making his first appearance since being dropped from the closer's role earlier in the week, and it didn't go well. It appeared that manager Torey Lovullo was giving the demoted closer an opportunity to build confidence -- Arizona was leading 10-2 when Sewald entered to begin the eighth inning -- but he allowed five straight hits and was on the hook for three runners on base when he was removed from the game.

Miller (4-1) blew a save but earned the win over the Giants on Saturday, allowing one hit and walking one batter while striking out three over 1.2 innings.

Miller was summoned with one out and the bases loaded in the eighth inning to try to protect a two-run lead. He struck out the first batter he faced but then gave up a two-run, game-tying double to Osleivis Basabe. Miller retired the final batter he faced in the frame and also pitched a scoreless ninth, and he emerged with the win after San Diego walked it off in the bottom of the frame. Though he wasn't charged with any runs, Miller was tagged with his first blown save of the campaign in his 29th opportunity. He nonetheless lowered his ERA to a sparkling 0.76 and now has a jaw-dropping 88:16 K:BB across 47.1 innings spanning 45 appearances.

Megill pitched a perfect inning with no strikeouts to earn the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Angels.

Megill has given up just three runs over 20.1 innings since the start of June. After some early struggles this season, the Brewers closer continues to get the job done -- he's now 18-for-20 in save chances while also adding seven holds. He's maintained a 2.83 ERA with a 0.94 WHIP and 50:11 K:BB through 41.1 innings this year.

Mikolas (3-8) took the loss against Atlanta on Saturday, allowing four runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out three batters over six innings.

Mikolas struggled to keep the ball in the park, at Atlanta teed off for three homers against him, including two in the first inning. The right-hander at least managed to give Washington six frames, but he ultimately fell to his eighth defeat of the campaign and his first since June 29. Mikolas' ERA now stands at 5.67 through 108 frames, which would be the worst mark in the league if he had enough innings to qualify (he's currently four frames short). He's lined up for a tough road matchup in Philadelphia his next time out.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Saturday that Lopez (knee) will likely go on the 15-day injured list, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Lopez was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday against the Nationals due to left knee inflammation. He'll undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the knee injury, but Atlanta is already anticipating Lopez to be down for at least the next two weeks. JR Ritchie is expected to be called up from Triple-A Gwinnett to start in Sunday's series finale and could make a few turns through the rotation while Lopez is shelved.

Soto secured the save Saturday against the Reds, throwing a clean ninth inning. He struck out one.

Soto made quick work of the Reds, firing nine of his 11 pitches for strikes. The Pirates acquired Camilo Doval from the Yankees on Saturday to bolster the back end of their bullpen, and 29-year-old possesses closing experience that offers Pittsburgh another option for high-leverage spots. Soto has been shaky as the club's primary closer this season, posting a 3.69 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 53:20 K:BB with 14 saves in 19 attempts over 46.1 innings.

Thielbar earned the save in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Yankees, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not record a walk or a strikeout.

With Jacob Webb used in the eighth inning against the heart of the Yankees' order, Thielbar was called upon to protect a three-run lead in the ninth and worked around a leadoff single to earn his first save since April 21. The 39-year-old Thielbar owns a 3.97 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 43:13 K:BB to go along with seven holds and three saves across 34 innings this season. He shouldn't be counted on as a reliable source of saves going forward with Daniel Palencia (elbow) nearing a rehab assignment.

Atlanta acquired Falter and outfielder Lane Thomas from Kansas City on Saturday in exchange for left-hander Carter Holton and right-hander Lucas Braun, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Falter lost his spot on the Royals' 40-man roster in early June after he was lit up for 15 earned runs on 24 hits and six walks over 9.2 innings in five appearances (two starts). He had righted the ship upon clearing waivers and joining the rotation at Triple-A Omaha, where he had submitted a 3.10 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 26:15 K:BB In 29 innings over his last seven outings. Falter won't regain a 40-man roster spot in Atlanta, but he'll bolster the organization's starting depth at the Triple-A level.

Bachar recorded his second save of the season in Saturday's 6-2 win over the Mets, allowing one hit and striking out two over three scoreless relief innings.

The right-hander needed just 35 pitches (26 strikes) to get the job done and give most of the rest of the Marlins' bullpen a breather. The three innings tied for Bachar's longest appearance of the season, and a bumpy July may have taken him out of the mix for higher-leverage opportunities. Over his last 13.2 innings, Bachar has served up four homers and stumbled to a 6.58 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB.