MLB Player News

Murfee was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with elbow inflammation, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Per Divish, the Mariners don't think Murfee's injury is serious and hoped he could avoid an IL stint, but the team decided to take a long-term view with regard to his health. Juan Then was called up from Double-A Arkansas to take Murfee's place in the bullpen.

Diekman was released by the White Sox on Saturday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Diekman owns a career 3.96 ERA over parts of 12 big-league seasons, but it's not clear that there's much left in his 36-year-old left arm. After he posted a 4.99 ERA last season, he owns a 7.94 ERA in 11.1 frames this year, walking more batters (13) than he struck out (11).

Zuniga was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Zuniga was called up Tuesday and struck out two batters in a clean inning of work in his MLB debut. He'll return to the minors for now as Adam Wainwright (groin) returns from the injured list.

Dubin has been placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Sugar Land with a right elbow strain, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The 27-year-old righty could have been an option for spot starts in the big-league rotation amid recent injuries to Luis Garcia and Jose Urquidy if he'd been pitching well and was healthy. However, Dubin had a 6.27 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 18.2 innings prior to the injury. He should be considered out indefinitely.

Blanco was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

He logged a 4.50 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 16 strikeouts in 12 innings while working in a low-leverage role. The move clears a roster spot for Saturday's starter J.P. France.

Littell's contract was selected from Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

The 27-year-old righty had a 3.82 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 106 innings for the Giants from 2021 through 2022, but he'd been working as a Triple-A reliever for the Rangers prior to getting shipped to Boston for cash. Littell should work in low-leverage spots.

Ort was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

He was recalled Friday and didn't get into a game before being sent back to the minors. Zack Littell, who was acquired from Texas, takes Ort's spot in the bullpen.

Pomeranz is experiencing reduced discomfort in his left arm, and he could resume his throwing progression soon, per MLB.com.

Pomeranz was pulled from a minor-league rehab assignment after just one game in late April as a result of discomfort in his throwing arm, but the issue has reportedly "mostly subsided." The veteran reliever appears to have a chance to start throwing again soon, though the Padres may want to be cautious given the series of setbacks Pomeranz has experienced as he's attempted to work his way back to the big club. The 34-year-old hasn't pitched in the majors since 2021.

Winder was optioned Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday. He gave up two runs and three hits with one walk and one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning in his only appearance this season with the Twins after he was activated from the injured list April 27.

Winder looked set to begin the season as Minnesota's long reliever but came down with a right shoulder injury during spring training. He didn't pitch well during his first outing in the majors, but this move more likely reflects the Twins wanting to rotate fresh pitchers into the bullpen. He'll likely be called back up to a long relief role again soon.

Alcala was recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Saturday.

Alcala was sent to Triple-A on April 21, and he gave up one run in 4.2 innings with six strikeouts and four walks for St. Paul. Alcala had surrendered six runs -- five earned -- on seven hits and five walks through 10 innings of relief. His walk rate was a concern, so his Triple-A stint isn't overly reassuring. He'll return to a middle relief role with the Twins.