MLB Player News

The Guardians transferred Stephan (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

The move frees a spot on the 40-man roster for Will Wilson, who was called up Tuesday. Stephan is still working his way back from UCL reconstruction surgery and the shift to the 60-day IL doesn't alter his timetable.

Lawrence cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday.

The right-hander was designated for assignment over the weekend by the Mariners for the second time in April, but he'll again stick in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. Lawrence has given up two earned runs with a 1:1 K:BB over five frames in the majors this season and has a 4.35 ERA across 10.1 innings as a starter for Tacoma.

Triple-A Columbus placed Walters on its 7-day injured list Monday due to an unspecified injury.

After failing to win a spot in the Guardians' Opening Day bullpen coming out of spring training, Walters had gotten off to a strong start to the season with Columbus, producing a 1.35 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB in 6.2 innings over seven appearances. However, the right-hander sustained an apparent injury during his most recent appearance Wednesday, temporarily halting any momentum he might have built for a promotion to the big leagues.

Birdsong (1-0) picked up the win in Monday's 5-2 victory over the Brewers, allowing a hit and two walks while striking out four in three innings.

The 23-year-old recorded his first big-league win as a reliever, entering the game in the sixth frame for Robbie Ray. Birdsong threw 30 of his 49 pitches for strikes and generated nine whiffs. The right-hander joined the bullpen after Landen Roupp was named the fifth starter, but Birdsong has been impressive in his new role, posting a 1.38 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 13:6 K:BB across 13 innings in six appearances. The Giants will likely continue to use Birdsong in a long-relief role, with manager Bob Melvin saying Monday, "We're looking for spots like that for him. It worked out really well today," according to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area.

The Red Sox will option Kelly to Triple-A Worcester prior to Tuesday's game against the Mariners, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

The transaction will clear a spot on the active roster for Brayan Bello (shoulder), who is slated to make his season debut. Kelly boasts an 11:2 K:BB over 10 innings this season but has also surrendered 10 runs across his seven appearances.

Moll (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Moll has been shelved since mid-April with a left shoulder impingement but has been cleared to test things out in a game setting. He is eligible for activation Saturday, and, given that his absence has been relatively brief, he should have a good shot to return at that time.

Atlanta optioned Petersen to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Petersen's stay with the big club lasted all of one day, with the right-hander not getting called upon in relief in Monday's 7-6 win over the Cardinals. He'll cede his spot on the 26-man active roster to right-hander Nathan Wiles, who was called up from Triple-A and is expected to work in bulk relief during Tuesday's game.

Atlanta released Willingham (undisclosed) on Tuesday.

A waiver pickup from Washington in January, Willingham failed to win a spot in Atlanta's Opening Day bullpen and began the season at Triple-A Gwinnett. He made two relief appearances and gave up one earned run on six hits and three walks while striking out five over 4.2 innings before landing on Gwinnett's 7-day injured list April 4. Atlanta hasn't shed light on the nature of Willingham's injury, but he'll now be moved off the 40-man roster as the big club looks to clear a spot for right-hander Nathan Wiles, whose contract was selected from Gwinnett in a corresponding move.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that Martinez was unavailable to pitch in Sunday's extra-innings win over the Cubs due to "fatigue" and a recent heavy workload, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.

Martinez hadn't pitched since Thursday and threw only 10 pitches in that appearance, but trainers told Lovullo the reliever could use another day of rest Sunday. The Diamondbacks took the lead in the top of the 10th inning that day before Shelby Miller gave up the tying run in the bottom of the frame in his second inning of work. After Arizona grabbed the lead again with a run in the top of the 11th, Drey Jameson came on to secure his second career save. Martinez did not undergo any imaging and presumably will be available for Tuesday's series opener against the Rays. With A.J. Puk (elbow) out and Kevin Ginkel (shoulder) also still working his way back, Martinez is the clear favorite for saves in Arizona's bullpen right now.

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre placed Arias on the 7-day injured list March 28.

The hard-throwing righty was dealt from the Cubs to the Yankees in exchange for cash in January after the Cubs had designated Arias for assignment. The days of Arias starting are over, but he had eight strikeouts and one walk in five one-inning spring training appearances and could develop into a high-leverage reliever in a couple years.