MLB Player News

Pomeranz collected the save in Monday's 5-2 victory over the Marlins, allowing one hit and no walks over a scoreless inning with two strikeouts.

The veteran southpaw collected his first save since Aug. 11, 2020 against the Dodgers when he was on the Padres. Pomeranz could enter the saves discussion in Chicago since Porter Hodge unraveled in high leverage during Sunday's loss to the Mets and Ryan Pressly has struggled to a 7.07 ERA across 14 innings. Pomeranz has been steady since debuting with the Cubs on April 25, firing 7.2 scoreless innings with a 0.52 WHIP and 8:2 K:BB.

Puk (elbow) is expected to begin a throwing program within the next week, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Puk was placed on the 15-day injured list April 19 with left elbow inflammation before later being transferred to the 60-day IL on May 1. The left-hander isn't eligible to be activated for over a month, but beginning a throwing program will be the first step in his build up to returning to action later on this season.

Martinez (shoulder) will throw to live hitters Wednesday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Martinez felt strong after completing a bullpen session Sunday, and it's another positive sign that he's progressing to throwing against hitters Wednesday. The Diamondbacks haven't indicated whether the 23-year-old will require a minor-league rehab assignment, as he'll be eligible to be activated from the 15-day injured list Friday after going down with shoulder inflammation at the beginning of the month. Arizona will presumably wait and see how Martinez comes out of the live session Wednesday before deciding on his next step.

The Diamondbacks designated Castillo for assignment Monday.

Castillo will lose his spot in the Arizona bullpen with the Diamondbacks activating right-hander Kendall Graveman (back) from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. After getting called up from Triple-A Reno on May 1, Castillo filled a low-leverage relief role and gave up eight earned runs on 10 hits and three walks in 6.1 innings across five appearances. The 29-year-old lefty is likely to clear waivers and will have the option of either accepting an outright assignment to Reno or electing free agency.

The Diamondbacks reinstated Graveman (back) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Arizona designated lefty Jose Castillo for assignment to open up a spot in the bullpen for Graveman, who missed the first month and a half of the season while recovering from a right lumbar strain. Graveman had previously missed the entire 2024 campaign while on the mend from right shoulder surgery, but he checked out healthy after tossing 3.1 scoreless innings across his three minor-league rehab appearances. Prior to his shoulder surgery, Graveman found success as a setup man and occasional stopgap option at closer, but he may have to settle for a middle-relief role initially with Arizona coming off a lengthy absence from big-league action. The back end of the Diamondbacks bullpen is highly unsettled, however, so Graveman could move up in the pecking order quickly if he excels in his first few relief appearances.

The Cubs optioned Hollowell to Triple-A Iowa on Monday.

He'll cede his spot on the 26-man active roster and in the bullpen to left-hander Caleb Thielbar (personal), who was reinstated from the paternity list. Hollowell has fared well over his five appearances for the Cubs between his two separate stints in the big leagues this season, giving up just one earned run and striking out five batters across 6.1 innings.

The Cubs reinstated Thielbar (personal) from the paternity list Monday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

Thielbar was away from the Cubs for the maximum three games while he welcomed a new addition to his family. Chicago optioned righty Gavin Hollowell to Triple-A Iowa to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster and in the bullpen for Thielbar.

Miller was charged with a blown save in Sunday's 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Twins, allowing two earned runs on three hits and one walk without retiring a batter.

Miller entered the game in the sixth inning with a 4-3 lead and was tagged with his second blown save of the season after a lackluster performance. The left-hander surrendered three singles and threw just six of his 12 pitches for strikes before being pulled. Miller now owns a 2.19 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and an 11:9 K:BB across 12.1 innings in 15 appearances.

Stanek (1-3) struck out two in a perfect eighth inning Sunday to pick up the win over the Cubs.

With the score tied 2-2, the right-hander breezed through Chicago's 9-1-2 hitters on 11 pitches (eight strikes) before the Mets' offense erupted for four runs in the bottom of the frame. After a rough end to the month of April that included three straight losses and blown saves, Stanek has yet to allow a run in May, posting a 5:0 K:BB over five scoreless innings as he re-establishes himself as a reliable high-leverage option for the Mets.

Gibault (shoulder) struck out two over one inning for Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

Gibault landed on the 15-day injured list April 26 with a right shoulder impingement. The right-hander is expected to make multiple rehab appearances before the Reds activate him.