MLB Player News

The Dodgers are expected to place Graterol on the paternity list prior to Tuesday's series opener in Pittsburgh, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Graterol is one of two Dodgers players who is expected to skip the three-game series in Pittsburgh while awaiting the birth of a child, as Max Muncy (personal) has already been confirmed to be placed on the paternity list. The Dodgers haven't yet announced a replacement on the 26-man active roster for Graterol, but Los Angeles could activate Evan Phillips -- who was placed on the paternity list last Thursday -- in a corresponding move. Phillips should then have a clear path to closing duties throughout the series in Pittsburgh.

Oakland placed Martinez on the 15-day injured list Monday with a right elbow strain.

Martinez holds a 6.75 ERA and 14:5 K:BB over 17.1 innings this season while working exclusively out of the bullpen. It's not clear how long he might be sidelined.

Long, whom the Athletics acquired from the Giants on Sunday in exchange for cash considerations, was added to the 26-man active roster Monday.

Though Long has a minor-league option remaining and posted a 9.90 ERA and 1.90 WHIP across 10 innings at Triple-A Sacramento, the Athletics will have him report to the big club right away rather than joining their top affiliate in Las Vegas. Long is expected to fill a multi-inning role out of the bullpen after the Athletics placed one of their other long relievers, Adrian Martinez (elbow), on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.

Milwaukee recalled Cousins from Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

Cousins will provide a fresh arm after the Brewers' bullpen was roughed up Sunday. The 28-year-old has major control issues but also boasts a 2.70 ERA with 65 strikeouts over 43.1 innings in the majors the last two seasons.

The Brewers designated Guerra for assignment Monday.

Guerra held an 8.64 ERA and 5:9 K:BB over 8.1 innings to earn a ticket off the 40-man roster. The former position player has a big arm but hasn't been able to find consistency since converting to pitching.

The Marlins optioned Soriano to Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

He's a victim of the Marlins needing a fresh arm in the bullpen, as he wasn't going to be available for a bit after throwing 47 pitches Sunday in Cleveland. Soriano pitched well in his first taste of the majors, though, so he should be back with the big club before long.

The Marlins selected Nolin's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

After the Marlins acquired him from the Twins earlier this month, Nolin had made just one appearance with his new organization, allowing four runs -- three earned -- over four innings in an April 19 start for Jacksonville. He'll give the bullpen a fresh arm for Monday's series opener in Atlanta, and though the Marlins currently have an opening in the rotation for Tuesday, the veteran left-hander is uncertain to get the start even if he goes unused Monday.

The Blue Jays placed Cimber on the 15-day injured list Monday with a right rhomboid strain.

Right-hander Nate Pearson was summoned from Triple-A Buffalo to replace Cimber on the 26-man active roster and in the Toronto bullpen. Cimber opened the season with four scoreless innings and scooped up a save across his first four appearances, but he's logged a 7.50 ERA and 1.67 WHIP over his subsequent seven relief outings. Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Cimber is expected to resume throwing later this week and could be in line for a "minimal stay" on the IL, per Mitch Bannon of SI.com.

The Blue Jays recalled Pearson from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.

As anticipated, the flamethrowing right-hander will move into the Toronto bullpen on the heels of a spectacular start to the season at Buffalo, with whom he posted a 2.16 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB over 8.1 innings. Though he has prior starting experience, Pearson wasn't asked to record more than four outs in any of his eight appearances with Buffalo, so he could be deployed as more of a traditional reliever than a multi-inning option out of the Blue Jays bullpen. If he can continue make bats miss at a prolific clip while keeping his walks in check, Pearson could quickly move into a high-leverage role in front of closer Jordan Romano.

Graterol earned a save against the Cubs on Sunday, allowing three hits and no walks over two scoreless innings.

Graterol got the call in the eighth inning with Los Angeles up by two runs. He gave up a two-out double but completed the scoreless frame on just 12 pitches. The Dodgers put up a pair of runs in the top of the ninth, and Graterol was allowed to finish off the win despite allowing two singles in the bottom of the frame. The save was his first of the season, and the outing extended his streak of appearances without allowing a run to six. Evan Phillips, who has two saves this season, wasn't with the team Sunday while on paternity leave, so it's not certain how manager Dave Roberts would have deployed the pair of relivers under normal circumstances. However, the team hasn't yet indicated a commitment to a full-time closer, so both Phillips and Graterol should be seen as candidates for ninth-inning duties for the time being.