MLB Player News

Sands was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Friday.

Sands has appeared in two games with the Twins so far in 2023, surrendering one run on six hits, including a homer, while striking out three batters over four innings. It seems likely that the 25-year-old will get another shot with Minnesota at some point this season, but for now Louie Varland was called up from Triple-A and will replace him on the major-league roster.

The Royals recalled Staumont from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

After impressing during spring training with a 1.13 ERA over eight innings and throwing four scoreless frames in Triple-A to start the season, Staumont will get another crack at the big leagues. He will fill the roster spot previously held by Dylan Coleman, who was optioned to Omaha on Thursday.

Strzelecki tossed 1.1 scoreless innings and picked up his second hold of the season in Thursday's victory over the Padres.

Strzelecki became a reliable reliever for the Brewers last season, and he has been all that and more early on in the 2023 campaign, firing 6.1 scoreless frames over six appearances while allowing just five runners to reach base. He currently slots in as the third option in the Brewers' bullpen behind closer Devin Williams and setup man Matt Bush, but Bush has not been particularly sharp since joining the Brewers last August, so it's possible Strzelecki could move up a peg in the pecking order.

Williams struck out all three batters he faced and picked up his second win of the season in Thursday's victory over the Padres.

Williams was summoned from the bullpen with both teams even on the scoreboard in the bottom of the ninth inning, and he earned the win when the Brewers plated a run in the top of the 10th. Williams has had only one save opportunity thus far, but more are sure to come, particularly if the 9-4 Brewers -- who sit second league-wide in run differential -- maintain their winning ways.

May (2-2) took the loss to the Orioles on Thursday, allowing a game-winning solo home run to the only batter he faced.

May's ill-fated outing lasted all of two pitches, with Adley Rutschman launching the right-hander's second offering, a four-seam fastball, 405 feet to right center for a game-winning homer. May qualified for just two decisions all of last season with the Mets across 26 appearances, but he's been put into his fair share of pivotal game scenarios early in his Athletics tenure, albeit with mixed results that now include three straight appearances with at least one earned run allowed.

Martinez fired 3.2 scoreless relief innings in a loss to the Orioles on Thursday, allowing a walk and recording five strikeouts.

Starter Adam Oller was chased after allowing seven earned runs on eight hits over 2.1 innings, so Martinez spared his fellow bullpen mates some work with his effective pitching. It was an encouraging bounce-back effort from the 26-year-old, who'd fired three scoreless, one-hit frames against the Angels in his first appearance of the season April 2 but then had allowed two earned runs apiece in his next pair of outings.

Diaz picked up the save Thursday against the Phillies and struck out the only batter he faced.

Diaz came in to get the last out, as he was assigned to face Phillies superstar Trea Turner with runners on first and second. The right-hander retired him on five pitches to secure his second save in as many chances. Diaz has been unscored upon in four of five outings but has an inflated 6.23 ERA since he allowed three earned runs in his other appearance.

Martinez did not factor in the decision against Milwaukee on Thursday, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two batters over six innings.

Martinez was far from overpowering in the outing, as he allowed as many homers as he notched strikeouts. However, he kept San Diego in the game and finished with his first quality start of the campaign. The right-hander continued to struggle with his control, issuing three more walks to bring his season K:BB to 11:10 over 17.2 innings. Seth Lugo and Ryan Weathers have both pitched well at the back end of the Padres' rotation, so it will be interesting to see which of Lugo, Weathers and Martinez moves to the bullpen when Joe Musgrove (toe/shoulder) is able to return to action.

Payamps earned a save against the Padres on Thursday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter in a scoreless 10th inning.

Milwaukee closer Devin Williams was deployed to keep a 3-3 tie intact in the bottom of the ninth inning, which he did successfully. After the Brewers took the lead in the top of the 10th, manager Craig Counsell turned to Payamps to close things out. The right-hander came through in the clutch situation, allowing a two-out infield single but nothing else in compiling a scoreless frame and notching his first career save. Despite the positive outcome, Williams is the clear closer for the Brewers, and Payamps isn't likely to see many (if any) additional save chances moving forward.

Lawrence has allowed only one earned run while maintaining an 8:3 K:BB across his first 7.1 innings of the 2023 season.

Lawrence has been trusted as a high-leverage reliever out of Colorado's bullpen, as he's entered in the seventh inning or later in all six of his appearances and the Rockies have had the lead on five of those occasions. Some caution is required due to Lawrence's home park, and he's given up three runs (one earned) across his last two games at Coors Field. However, with Daniel Bard (personal) still sidelined and Pierce Johnson experiencing some struggles on the mound, Lawrence could enter the picture for saves at some point this season.