MLB Player News

Ribalta (biceps) will throw a 20-to-25 pitch bullpen session Saturday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The bullpen session -- which will feature all fastballs -- will be Ribalta's first since he landed on the 15-day injured list with a right biceps strain nearly a month ago. He will progress to facing hitters before eventually going out on a rehab assignment if all goes well.

The Brewers recalled Hudson from Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

Hudson posted a 4.15 ERA and 9:9 K:BB across 8.2 innings with the Brewers earlier this season but showed better control at Nashville with no walks in four frames. He'll operate in middle relief.

Vodnik (shoulder) is throwing from 90 feet, MLB.com reports.

Vodnik resumed throwing in late April, but he has progressed slowly since. He was previously expected to return at some point in early May, but his timeline is now unclear.

Martinez (shoulder) extended his throwing program out to 90 feet Thursday and could get back on a mound this weekend, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Martinez began his throwing program earlier in the week and may need just the minimum stay on the 15-day injured list, per manager Torey Lovullo. "I know you guys want to know on Day 16 is he gonna be available?" Lovullo said. "I think it's gonna potentially be around that time. It's not gonna be much longer than that if it's not on that day." Since Martinez landed on the IL, Shelby Miller and Kevin Ginkel have been given save opportunities.

Strahm picked up the save in Thursday's 7-6 extra-inning win over the Rays after allowing one unearned run on two hits in the 10th inning. He struck out two.

It was the second save of the year for Strahm, who was brought in to work the 10th frame after closer Jose Alvarado kept the game tied in the ninth. While Strahm began the season with a scoreless streak of 6.1 innings, he has a 4.82 ERA over his last 9.1 frames and has seen just three save chances overall this year. The southpaw is still one of Philadelphia's top left-handed relievers, but Strahm remains behind Alvarado in the bullpen pecking order when it comes to ninth-inning work.

Ginkel allowed a run on one hit over one inning to earn the save in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Dodgers.

Ginkel gave up a two-out solo shot to Shohei Ohtani, but the right-hander was able to get a flyout from Mookie Betts to end the game. While Ginkel has allowed three runs, including two homers, on five hits and three walks over 4.1 innings, he remains part of the Diamondbacks' high-leverage mix. This was his first save of the year to go with three holds. While A.J. Puk (elbow) and Justin Martinez (elbow) are sidelined, Ginkel is competing with Shelby Miller and Ryan Thompson for save chances. The presence of a closer committee, as well as Arizona's 4.78 bullpen ERA, which ranks 25th in the majors through Thursday's games, makes this a risky landscape for chasing saves in fantasy.

Ashcraft blew the save Thursday against Atlanta after allowing two runs and two hits and one walk in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

Closer Emilio Pagan worked each of Cincinnati's past two games, which opened the door for Ashcraft to receive his second save opportunity of the season. However, Ashcraft failed to convert in both instances, and he's given up six runs over his last seven outings after opening the season on a nine-inning scoreless streak. The right-hander owns a 2.95 ERA and 19:9 K:BB over 18.1 innings and should continue to see high-leverage work, but his shakier 1.36 WHIP could give manager Terry Francona some trepidation the next time he needs to choose an arm if/when Pagan is unavailable for a save situation.

Casparius will work in a relief role during the Dodgers' weekend series against the Diamondbacks, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Casparius worked in a bulk-relief role and earned a win after completing four innings against the Marlins on Monday. He was projected to start or work multiple innings again Sunday, though manager Dave Roberts suggested that Casparius would instead take on a more traditional relief role. Tony Gonsolin will start Sunday for Los Angeles.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Thursday that Puk is no longer feeling any symptoms in his left elbow, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Puk has been sidelined since April 19 due to a strained flexor tendon and was then shifted to the 60-day injured list May 1. While he'll still face an extended absence, it's a positive sign that he's no longer feeling significant pain in his elbow.

Milwaukee optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday.

After giving up six earned runs in 3.1 innings of long relief in Wednesday's 9-1 loss to the Astros, Rodriguez was unlikely to be available out of the bullpen for the next few days, so Milwaukee will remove him from the 26-man active roster. Expect the team to call up another reliever from Triple-A in advance of Friday's series opener at Tampa Bay.