MLB Player News

The Phillies placed Ruiz on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to neck spasms, retroactive to May 1, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Ruiz may have tweaked his neck during his last outing against the Nationals on Wednesday, when he struck out two batters over 1.1 scoreless innings without allowing a hit or walk. He's eligible to return from the IL on May 16, but he'll undergo further testing to determine a clear timeline for his return. Ranger Suarez (back) was reinstated from the 15-day IL in a corresponding move.

The Astros optioned VanWey to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Since making his MLB debut April 11, VanWey has allowed one run on nine hits and a walk while striking out one batter and walking one over 5.2 innings. He'll now be sent back to the minors to clear a roster spot in preparation for Lance McCullers' (forearm) long-awaited return from the injured list Sunday.

The Pirates transferred Lawrence (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Lawrence was placed on the 15-day IL due to right elbow inflammation April 24. With his move to the 60-day injured list, the righty reliever isn't eligible to be activated until late June. Lawrence's move to the 60-day IL created room for fellow reliever Tanner Rainey, who had his contract selected from Triple-A on Saturday, to join the 40-man roster.

The Pirates selected Rainey's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday.

Rainey had a strong spring training, posting a 1.13 ERA and 0.50 WHIP with 12 strikeouts over eight innings in eight appearances, but didn't break camp with Pittsburgh. The righty reliever has posted a 6.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 12:4 K:BB over nine innings with Indianapolis and will now get a shot with the big-league bullpen. Rainey will fill the 26-man roster spot that opened up when Isiah Kiner-Falefa (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day IL on Saturday, and to make room for Rainey on the 40-man roster, Justin Lawrence (elbow) was moved from the 15-day to the 60-day IL.

Dunning cleared waivers Saturday and was sent outright to Triple-A Round Rock.

Dunning will officially stick with the organization after being dropped from the 40-man roster Wednesday. He's made five starts in the minors so far this season, posting a 5.40 ERA and 1.55 WHIP across 20 innings, and he could be in consideration for a move back to the Rangers if the big club's pitching depth is tested down the road.

The Brewers optioned Yoho to Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

Yoho was called up to the majors for his first major-league stint April 21 and got into five contests while with the big club. The right-hander struggled, however, posting a 9.53 ERA and 2.29 WHIP with a 4:6 K:BB over 5.2 innings. In a corresponding move Saturday, Milwaukee recalled pitcher Elvin Rodriguez from Nashville.

The Brewers recalled Rodriguez from Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

Rodriguez struggled in a stint earlier this season with Milwaukee, posting a 7.53 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over 14.1 innings, though his 13:2 K:BB was more promising. The righty's biggest problem was the long ball -- he served up six homers during that four-game span. Rodriguez worked twice as a starter and twice out of the bullpen while previously up with the the big club, with his final outing being a five-inning showing in relief. He figures to serve in a swingman role now that he's back with Milwaukee. Craig Yoho was optioned to Nashville on Saturday to make room for Rodriguez on the roster.

Martinez underwent an MRI on his right shoulder Saturday that showed no structural damage, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Martinez experienced a drop in velocity during his past two appearances and was subsequently placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to right shoulder inflammation. The righty received good news Saturday, however, and appears to have avoided a serious injury. Martinez is eligible to be activated from the IL on May 16, though it's not yet clear if he'll be ready to resume pitching in games at that point.

Hall (lat) began a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League on Saturday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Hall has spent all season working his way back from a left lat strain that he suffered early in spring camp. He's now due to begin pitching in a competitive environment, though he will require a healthy amount of reps in the minors before being ready to come off the IL.

The Mariners optioned Taylor to Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday.

With Matt Brash (elbow) returning from the injured list, Taylor will head back to the minors in order to create room on the active roster. The 23-year-old righty has struggled mightily this season, giving up four earned runs in three MLB innings while also posting a 10.13 ERA in the minors.