MLB Player News

Assad (oblique) left before the start of the fifth inning in Tuesday's rehab start with Triple-A Iowa, Jason Kempf of the Iowa Cubs' broadcast team reports.

Assad, who started the season on the 15-day injured list due to a left oblique strain, was warming up for the fifth inning before grabbing at his side. He immediately went to the dugout, and the team should have an update on the 27-year-old right-hander once he is thoroughly evaluated by trainers.

The Cubs recalled Hollowell from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

It's the corresponding move for Jordan Wicks, who was optioned to Iowa on Monday. Hollowell had allowed three runs with a 10:3 K:BB over 6.1 frames with Iowa this season. He holds a career 6.00 ERA across 33 big-league appearances.

Blewett will be Atlanta's opening pitcher Tuesday against the Cardinals, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

He's expected to be followed by Nathan Wiles, who will provide bulk relief. It will be the team debut for Blewett, was just acquired via trade from the Orioles on Sunday.

Birdsong (1-0) picked up the win in Monday's 5-2 victory over the Brewers, allowing a hit and two walks while striking out four in three innings.

The 23-year-old recorded his first big-league win as a reliever, entering the game in the sixth frame for Robbie Ray. Birdsong threw 30 of his 49 pitches for strikes and generated nine whiffs. The right-hander joined the bullpen after Landen Roupp was named the fifth starter, but Birdsong has been impressive in his new role, posting a 1.38 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 13:6 K:BB across 13 innings in six appearances. The Giants will likely continue to use Birdsong in a long-relief role, with manager Bob Melvin saying Monday, "We're looking for spots like that for him. It worked out really well today," according to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area.

Moll (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Moll has been shelved since mid-April with a left shoulder impingement but has been cleared to test things out in a game setting. He is eligible for activation Saturday, and, given that his absence has been relatively brief, he should have a good shot to return at that time.

Atlanta optioned Petersen to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Petersen's stay with the big club lasted all of one day, with the right-hander not getting called upon in relief in Monday's 7-6 win over the Cardinals. He'll cede his spot on the 26-man active roster to right-hander Nathan Wiles, who was called up from Triple-A and is expected to work in bulk relief during Tuesday's game.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that Martinez was unavailable to pitch in Sunday's extra-innings win over the Cubs due to "fatigue" and a recent heavy workload, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.

Martinez hadn't pitched since Thursday and threw only 10 pitches in that appearance, but trainers told Lovullo the reliever could use another day of rest Sunday. The Diamondbacks took the lead in the top of the 10th inning that day before Shelby Miller gave up the tying run in the bottom of the frame in his second inning of work. After Arizona grabbed the lead again with a run in the top of the 11th, Drey Jameson came on to secure his second career save. Martinez did not undergo any imaging and presumably will be available for Tuesday's series opener against the Rays. With A.J. Puk (elbow) out and Kevin Ginkel (shoulder) also still working his way back, Martinez is the clear favorite for saves in Arizona's bullpen right now.

Diaz allowed three runs on three hits and one walk over 1.1 innings in Monday's 6-3 loss to Miami. He also hit a batter.

Diaz stranded a pair of inherited runners to get out of the sixth inning but ran into trouble in the seventh, when pinch hitter Kyle Stowers took him deep for a three-run home run. It was the first time in four outings that Diaz was scored upon. The former closer has allowed four hits and four walks while striking two over four innings.

Hoeing (shoulder) has been throwing for a few weeks and tossed a full bullpen session that included breaking pitches April 15, per MLB.com.

The April 15 session was Hoeing's first bullpen that included breaking pitches since he landed on the IL in late March. The right-hander didn't get into any spring games as he battled a right shoulder injury throughout camp, so he'll likely need to spend some time on a minor-league rehab assignment before he's ready to join the Padres' bullpen. That said, Hoeing could be activated sometime in May.

Doval earned a save against the Brewers on Monday, striking out one batter in a perfect ninth inning.

The Giants held a comfortable three-run lead when Doval entered in the ninth frame, and the righty reliever worked quickly to end the contest, needing just seven pitches to retire the side in order. He got the save chance in part because Ryan Walker was unavailable after pitching on back-to-back days and throwing 25 pitches in a blown save Sunday. Despite that blow-up, Walker remains the Giants' primary closer, though Doval looks to be first in line for spare save chances given that he's gone 3-for-3 in such opportunities and has a 2.61 ERA overall on the season.