MLB Player News

The Rockies placed Vodnik on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right bicep inflammation.

Dating back to the start of July, Vodnik had posted a 3.74 ERA while going 9-for-10 in save chances over 20 appearances to solidify himself as the Rockies' closer, but his shoulder injury now creates an opening at the back end of the bullpen. Tyler Kinley previously converted a save Aug. 1 and would appear to be first in line to step in at closer as a replacement for Vodnik. A clear timeline for Vodnik's return hasn't been established, but the fact that he has been diagnosed with bicep inflammation rather than a strain could make him a candidate to return from the IL once his 15 days are up.

Giants manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday that he expects Doval to be recalled from Triple-A Sacramento sometime during the team's Aug. 23-29 road trip, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

What role Doval would fill has not yet been determined, as Ryan Walker has been excellent since taking over the closer role. Since being demoted to Sacramento, Doval has allowed two runs with a 5:1 K:BB over four innings of work. Just one free pass is encouraging to see, as Doval's 13.3 percent walk rate was a major reason why the Giants opted to send him down. When the former closer does rejoin the big-league bullpen, he could work in low-leverage spots initially.

The Astros recalled Martinez from Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Martinez was sent down earlier Wednesday but is back to fill the spot vacated by Kaleb Ort, who went on the paternity list. The Astros will likely option Martinez to Triple-A later this week when Ort returns.

The Astros placed Ort on the paternity list Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Ort will miss a minimum of one and a maximum of three games while welcoming a new member to the family. His spot on the active roster and in the bullpen will be absorbed by Seth Martinez, who was called up from Triple-A Sugar Land.

Pressly (back) threw a bullpen session at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Pressly landed on the injured list over the weekend with a lower-back strain but is already moving through a throwing program. Astros manager Joe Espada said that Pressly probably won't require a rehab assignment, so the reliever would seem to have a shot to be ready for activation from the 15-day injured list Aug. 29 when he's first eligible.

Holmes (2-0) was credited with the win in Tuesday's 3-1 victory over the Phillies, striking out two over two perfect innings of relief.

Bumped back to the bullpen upon the return of Reynaldo Lopez from the injured list, Holmes wound up taking over for Lopez in the sixth inning Tuesday and become the pitcher of record when Atlanta took the lead in the bottom of the frame. Holmes has pitched well in a swingman role in his first MLB campaign, and the 28-year-old righty has a 3.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 49:10 K:BB through his first 47 big-league innings.

The Astros optioned Martinez to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Martinez had been recalled this past weekend but didn't make an appearance during this stint in the majors. He's clearing out to make room on the roster for Justin Verlander (neck), who returns from the injured list to start versus the Red Sox.

Bednar struck out one without allowing a baserunner in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday against the Rangers.

Bednar allowed at least one earned run in six consecutive outings from July 29 to Aug. 16, and he also blew two saves and took two losses in that span. Nevertheless, he has maintained the closer role and has now turned in consecutive scoreless appearances. If Bednar can remain on track, he should be a decent source of saves the rest of the season.

The Orioles designated Avila for assignment Wednesday.

Baltimore claimed Avila off waivers from San Francisco on June 17, but he spent much of the past two months on Triple-A Norfolk's injured list before returning to action for the Orioles' International League affiliate last week. He was lit up over his three relief appearances for Norfolk, giving up 10 earned runs over just 1.1 innings before the Orioles moved him off their 40-man roster. Avila is expected to clear waivers and will most likely stick around in the organization as a bullpen arm at Norfolk.

The Orioles optioned Tate to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Tate was recalled Tuesday and did not make an appearance in the Orioles' win over the Mets. The transaction clears a spot on the active roster for Cole Irvin, who was called up from Triple-A to start Wednesday's series finale at Citi Field.