MLB Player News

Cruz (shoulder) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

Cruz said afterward that his mound session went well, and he's expected to begin facing live hitters Saturday. Assuming he doesn't experience any setbacks over the next several days, he seems to be on track to return when eligible Tuesday.

Rafaela went 3-for-5 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Brewers.

The 24-year-old opened the scoring in the top of the second inning when he lofted a Freddy Peralta fastball just over the fence in left-center field. Rafaela ended a 26-game homer drought with the blast, his third of the year, while the three hits tied his season high. Through 25 contests in May, he's hitting .253 (21-for-83) with five RBI and 19 runs while routinely batting at the bottom of the Boston order.

Bello came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Brewers, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out two.

It was another abbreviated outing for Bello, who got the hook after 77 pitches (46 strikes). The right-hander has gone five straight starts without being able to complete the fifth inning, posting a 4.84 ERA, 1.97 WHIP and 17:15 K:BB over 22.1 innings during that stretch, and his inability to provide any length or last long enough to quality for a win is making him increasingly difficult to roster even in deep fantasy formats. Bello will try to find some efficiency in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Angels.

Kahnle struck out two in two perfect innings Wednesday to record his seventh save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Giants.

With Will Vest having picked up saves in the first two games of the series Monday and Tuesday, Kahnle was brought in to bail out John Brebbia with runners on second and third and nobody out in the eighth inning. After escaping that jam, Kahnle stayed on the mound and dispatched San Francisco's 2-3-4 hitters in the ninth to earn his second save in May. Vest appears to be the preferred closing option for Detroit right now, but Kahnle remains in the ninth-inning mix thanks to a 1.52 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB through 23.2 innings.

Martinez went 2-for-5 with a double, a three-run home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 7-4 win over the Dodgers.

Getting the start in center field and batting second, the 23-year-old switch hitter provided the game-winning hit for the Guardians when he took Alex Vesia deep in the eighth inning to break a 4-4 tie. Two of Martinez's three homers on the season have come in the last seven games, a stretch in which he's batting .222 (6-for-27) with two doubles, five runs and eight RBI, and that power surge may have come at the right time to keep him in the lineup on a regular basis with Lane Thomas (foot) and Steven Kwan (wrist) both banged up.

Clase struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his 11th save of the season in a 7-4 win over the Dodgers.

The Cleveland closer needed only 10 pitches (eight strikes) to carve up the Dodgers' 6-7-8 hitters, fanning Enrique Hernandez to end the afternoon contest. After an uneven beginning to the campaign, Clase has been charged with an earned run in only one of his 10 appearances in May, posting a 0.93 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB on the month while converting all six of his save chances.

Allard didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 7-4 win over the Dodgers, giving up two runs on four hits over four innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.

Making his first start of the season after seven relief appearances, Allard threw 44 of 62 pitches for strikes but left the mound in line for the loss, only for the Guardians' offense to rally late against Tanner Scott and the Dodgers' bullpen. Allard has been effective as a long reliever and swingman this year, posting a 2.05 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB through 22 innings, but that lack of dominance -- not to mention a 5.71 career ERA in the majors -- makes him a risky fantasy option even in AL-only formats.

Wells is not in the Yankees' starting lineup against the Angels on Wednesday.

Wells will get a breather after going 1-for-7 with one RBI in the first two games of the series. J.C. Escarra will serve behind home plate to catch for Clarke Schmidt.

Bichette is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Texas due to lower-back tightness, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Manager John Schneider noted that Bichette may still be available off the bench Wednesday, so it doesn't seem like the 27-year-old infielder's injury is anything too severe. Michael Stefanic and Ernie Clement will make up the Jays' middle infield while Bichette recovers.

Gimenez (quadriceps) was cleared to begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Dunedin on Wednesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Gimenez will play at second base for Dunedin over the next two days before being re-evaluated by the Blue Jays. The 26-year-old has been on the 10-day injured list since May 9 due to a right quadriceps strain. Prior to suffering the injury, Gimenez was slashing .195/.273/.305 with nine steals, three home runs and 10 RBI in 143 plate appearances.