MLB Player News

Martin (9-5) took the loss against the Blue Jays on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out five across 5.2 innings.

Martin and Shane Bieber were locked in a pitcher's duel Saturday at Rogers Centre. Martin did everything he could, but the lone run he gave up -- a George Springer RBI single in the fourth frame -- turned out to be the difference in what ended as a 1-0 win for the Blue Jays. Martin was one out shy from logging his 11th quality start of the season, and he ended his day at 85 pitches (55 strikes) with 10 whiffs and five groundouts. He'll take a 3.31 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 106 innings into his next start, which is lined up for next weekend at home against the Astros.

Bieber (1-1) earned the win against the White Sox on Saturday, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out six across six scoreless innings.

Saturday was a pitcher's duel between Bieber and Davis Martin, with the former coming away with the win. It was the best outing of the season for Bieber, who needed just 80 pitches (51 strikes) to get through six innings while generating 13 whiffs and eight groundouts. It was a welcome sign for the Blue Jays, especially with Max Scherzer (back/side/thumb) on the 15-day IL and the recent struggles of 23-year-old right-hander Trey Yesavage. Bieber's next start is tentatively slated for next week at home against the Rays.

Guerrero went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored during the Blue Jays' 1-0 win over the White Sox on Saturday.

Neither team could get its offense going Saturday, but Guerrero helped the Blue Jays get the job done with a double in the fourth inning before being brought home on a George Springer single. Guerrero has still not hit a home run at Rogers Centre this season and is slashing .265/.349/.362 with seven steals, 41 RBI and six home runs across 395 plate appearances overall.

The Athletics selected Hartlieb's contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

With Justin Sterner (knee) headed for the injured list, the A's will turn to Hartlieb to provide depth to their bullpen. The 32-year-old righty will presumably be limited to middle-relief duty after giving up five earned runs in 8.2 innings during a stint with the big club in late June.

Varland earned the save in Saturday's 1-0 win over the White Sox, striking out one batter in a clean ninth inning.

Saturday was a low-scoring affair, and Varland was tasked with protecting the Blue Jays' one-run lead. He needed just nine pitches (six strikes) to get the job done, highlighted by five-pitch strikeout of Colson Montgomery. Varland has converted all 20 of his save opportunities this season and boasts a 1.08 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 68:13 K:BB across 50 innings. He hasn't given up an earned run in 40 of his 45 outings this year.

The Athletics placed Sterner on the 15-day injured list Saturday with right knee chondromalacia.

Sterner gave up six earned runs in just one-third of an inning during Friday's contest, and he'll now be sidelined until at least Aug. 2 due to his knee injury. Geoff Hartlieb will come up from Triple-A Las Vegas to fill the vacancy in the Athletics' bullpen.

Manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that a specialist determined that Judge (ribs) is not yet ready to resume baseball activities, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Judge is reportedly feeling significantly less pain now that he's more than a month removed from suffering a stress fracture of the first rib on his right side, but he hasn't shown enough signs of healing to be cleared to ramp up just yet. A timeline for his return will remain foggy until he gets the green light to resume activity, though it's likely safe to assume he'll spend at least a few more weeks on the injured list.

Walker was removed from Saturday's game against the Orioles with an apparent injury, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Walker was grabbing at his right side after taking a swing in the fourth inning and had to be removed from the game before he could finish his at-bat. The Astros will presumably send him in for imaging to determine what exactly he's dealing with, and an update on his status should come in the near future.

Weathers and the Yankees won't face the Dodgers on Saturday since the game was postponed due to rain.

Saturday's contest will be made up as part of a doubleheader Sunday, and Weathers will presumably start one of the two games. The 26-year-old southpaw currently holds a 4.15 ERA through his first 18 starts with the Pinstripes, but he's given up two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five outings.

Pena was removed from Saturday's game against the Orioles due to an apparent leg injury, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pena was visited by one of the Astros' trainers after taking a swing in the third inning, and he appeared to be having problems with his right leg. He was able to stay in and complete the at-bat but was replaced on defense to begin the fourth. The specifics of the injury remain unknown, but the Astros may offer an update in the near future.