MLB Player News

The Cardinals optioned Roycroft to Triple-A Memphis on Friday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Roycroft has had two different stints in the majors this season and neither of them have been successful, as he's yielded a 10 runs (eight earned) with a 6:8 K:BB over 10 innings. His spot on the roster and in the bullpen will be absorbed by Matt Svanson.

The Brewers optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

Rodriguez will yield his spot on the active roster for Aaron Ashby (oblique), who's being activated from the 15-day injured list. The 23-year-old served as a bulk reliever for the Brewers on Thursday, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks across 3.1 innings.

The Giants announced that Harrison will start Saturday's game against the Nationals, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Harrison will take over the rotation spot that previously belonged to Justin Verlander (pectoral), who was placed on the injured list Thursday. The 23-year-old lefty has made four relief appearances since being recalled earlier this month, allowing two runs with a 7:3 K:BB over 5.1 frames. Harrison had been starting at Triple-A Sacramento prior to his call-up but hasn't pitched more than two innings in over three weeks, so he's likely to have a limited workload versus the Nationals.

The Giants recalled Beck from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday.

He's taking the roster spot vacated by the injured Justin Verlander (pectoral). Beck has been used in a multi-inning relief role this season with Sacramento, posting a 3.24 ERA and 29:11 K:BB over 25 innings. He could offer some length out of the bullpen Saturday behind Kyle Harrison.

The Cubs reinstated Brasier (groin) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Brasier had been on the shelf since March 27 due to a strained left groin, but he's been cleared to rejoin the Cubs after a lengthy rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa. In six appearances with Iowa, Brasier logged a 3.18 ERA and a 6:1 K:BB across 5.2 innings. Ethan Roberts was optioned to Iowa in a corresponding move.

The Cubs optioned Roberts to Triple-A Iowa on Friday.

Roberts joined the big-league club Tuesday after Porter Hodge (oblique) was put on the injured list. However, he'll head back to Triple-A now that Ryan Brasier (groin) is healthy. Roberts didn't appear in a game during his stint in Chicago.

The Diamondbacks activated Martinez (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Martinez has been shelved for most of May with right shoulder inflammation but is ready to go after making two scoreless rehab appearances. He reached 101.1 mph with his sinker during his last outing at Triple-A Reno, which is particularly encouraging after his velocity had dipped prior to the IL stint. Martinez might be eased back into ninth-inning duty, but it shouldn't be long before he reclaims the closer role with Shelby Miller carrying a 5.63 ERA and 2.13 WHIP in May.

The Mariners outrighted Lawrence to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.

Lawrence cleared waivers after being designated for assignment earlier in the week. The 37-year-old appeared in five games out of the bullpen for Seattle, logging a 3.00 ERA and 6:1 K:BB across 15.1 innings.

Speier allowed one hit in a scoreless inning with no strikeouts during Thursday's 9-2 loss to the Astros.

Speier turned in his seventh scoreless outing out of nine appearances in May. On the season, the 30-year-old owns a 2.25 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 28:4 K:BB with seven holds over 20 innings. Speier has been one of Seattle's top high-leverage options as the team's lone left-hander, locking into a setup role ahead of closer Andres Munoz.

Zeferjahn recorded a hold against the Athletics on Thursday, allowing one hit and issuing one walk while striking out one batter in one scoreless inning.

Zeferjahn entered in the eighth inning with the Angels up two runs and quickly got into trouble, allowing a walk and a single to the first two batters he faced. However, the righty reliever then induced a double-play groundout before striking out Brent Rooker to escape the jam. Zeferjahn has claimed a high-leverage role in a beleaguered Angels bullpen -- he's registered a hold in five straight outings to move into the team lead with eight this season. His 4.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP on the campaign aren't great, but he has 26 punchouts (along with 10 walks) in 18 frames while adding two wins and a save.