MLB Player News

Martinez (elbow) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Martinez has been on the injured list since April 24 with a right elbow strain. The right-hander may need a rehab assignment before returning to the Oakland bullpen, but he should be back with the Athletics in a mop-up role later this month if he endures no further setbacks in his recovery from the injury.

Angels manager Phil Nevin said Tuesday that an MRI on Quijada's left elbow reviewed some ligament damage, but the southpaw will receive a second opinion before it will be determined whether he'll need to have surgery, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Registerreports.

Nevin called the first opinion that Quijada received "discouraging," based on the report provided by doctors. Quijada will get the second opinion before an announcement is made regarding the severity of the injury and whether it will require surgery. Even if a procedure isn't deemed necessary, the 27-year-old appears likely to be sidelined beyond the minimum 15 days.

The Giants recalled Waites from Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Waites had surrendered 10 earned runs on 11 hits and 12 walks through 9.2 innings this season at the Triple-A level, but the Giants need a fresh bullpen arm leading into the second of three games at Houston. The 24-year-old right-hander figures to operate in a low-leverage role.

The Giants optioned Hjelle to Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Hjelle was hammered for five earned runs on three hits and three walks in a one-inning relief appearance Monday against the Astros. Cole Waites will fill the vacant spot in the Giants bullpen Tuesday at Houston.

Brieske (elbow) will resume a throwing program in one week, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Brieske recently had to be shut down due to a setback with his right elbow, but it evidently wasn't a major bump in the road. He's been out all season with a ulnar nerve entrapment, which required a hydrodissection procedure.

Gage was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

With Luis Garcia (elbow) landing on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Gage will be brought up to the majors to fill Garcia's roster spot. Gage had quite a bit of success in the majors last season with Toronto, posting a 1.38 ERA and 0.92 WHIP across 13 innings. However, he's struggled early on in Triple-A this season to the tune of a 5.00 ERA and 1.89 WHIP in nine frames.

Jansen (back) is not expected to be available to pitch Tuesday versus the Blue Jays, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora had indicated that Jansen was available to pitch Monday, but that apparently wasn't the case and he's expected to be off limits Tuesday, too. The closer hasn't pitched since Saturday due to back tightness. Chris Martin or John Schreiber could see a save chance if one presents itself Tuesday.

Testing on Lopez's right biceps came back negative and he's expected to avoid an injured-list stint for the time being, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Lopez had to exit an appearance Sunday versus the Rays due to biceps fatigue, but it sounds like he's avoided anything serious. He will be shut down for a couple days but could conceivably be available to pitch later this week.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone gave Holmes a vote of confidence Monday, saying the closer is "in a good spot" and can "get through this" in reference to his recent struggles, Max Goodman of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Holmes suffered his second blown save Monday versus the Guardians and now has a 3.72 ERA on the season. It sounds like he will still be Boone's primary option to close for the time being, though. Even with this vote of confidence for Holmes, Michael King makes for a good roster stash.

The Cardinals recalled Zuniga from Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Zuniga will be making his MLB debut whenever he first gets the call out of the Cardinals bullpen. The 24-year-old right-hander had posted a 5.40 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 9:2 K:BB through 8.1 innings of relief this season at Memphis.