MLB Player News

Martinez (7-2) earned the win against the Diamondbacks on Friday, allowing one run on six hits and no walks with three strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

Martinez surrendered a solo homer in the first inning but cruised from there, throwing 62 of 85 pitches for strikes and falling one out shy of a quality start. Other than a six-run blowup June 3, the 35-year-old has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 15 of 16 outings this season. He'll carry a 2.66 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 58:17 K:BB across 94.2 innings into a road matchup with the Royals next week.

Sanchez was removed from Friday's game against the Rangers with a sprained right ankle, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Sanchez went 0-for-2 with a strikeout before being lifted in the seventh inning. X-rays on his ankle came back negative after the game, so he doesn't appear to be dealing with a severe injury. That said, the Jays may still give the 28-year-old a day or two off so he can recover.

Sulser will serve as the opening pitcher for the Rays in Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

With Shane McClanahan being pushed back in the pitching schedule for rest purposes, the Rays will lean on Sulser and their bullpen to get through Saturday's contest in what would have been McClanahan's turn in the rotation. The 36-year-old Sulser owns a 5.40 ERA and 1.55 WHIP through 31.2 innings on the season, but he's fired 5.1 shutout frames while striking out eight batters over his last four appearances. He's likely to work no more than an inning or two Saturday before exiting the contest.

Wilson (shoulder) isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Angels.

Wilson will sit out a second consecutive game following his removal from Wednesday's contest due to a left shoulder injury. It remains an encouraging sign that the A's haven't moved him to the injured list, though that may change if the young shortstop doesn't return in the next couple of days. Alika Williams will pick up a start in Wilson's absence and bat ninth.

Rodriguez (back) will make a rehab start Sunday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

After recently being placed on the injured list June 15, Rodriguez will make his return to a competitive setting Sunday. The 26-year-old recently threw off flat ground in the bullpen Sunday. Manager Kurt Suzuki said that it is possible this is the one and only rehab start that Rodriguez makes before rejoining the big-league club.

Boston recalled Cheng from Triple-A Worcester and he will start at shortstop against the Yankees on Friday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Cheng will make his season debut for Boston with Marcelo Mayer hitting the injured list with a left forearm injury. The 23-year-old Cheng may see extended playing time with Boston being depleted at the shortstop position with Isiah Kiner-Falefa (forearm), Trevor Story (abdomen) and Nick Sogard (oblique) all on the injured list in addition to Mayer. With Worcester, Cheng slashed .254/.351/.424 with seven homers and 18 RBI in 240 plate appearances.

The Red Sox placed Mayer on the 10-day injured list Friday with a stress reaction in his left forearm, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Interim manager Chad Tracy said that Mayer's injury is something that he's been dealing with for a while, so the team will place him on the IL to allow him to heal properly. Tsung-Che Cheng will come up from Triple-A Worcester to fill the open roster spot and is likely to receive a handful of starts while Boston also navigates injuries to Isiah Kiner-Falefa (forearm) and Nick Sogard (oblique).

Simpson is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against Arizona, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Simpson will ride the bench for the series opener despite recording at least one hit in six of his last seven games, and even with the Diamondbacks starting a righty in Zac Gallen. Victor Mesa will replace Simpson in left field and bat seventh Friday.

Kreidler is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Rockies.

Kreidler will hit the bench Friday after he went a collective 8-for-19 with a triple, a walk, six RBI and three runs while starting in the Twins' past five games. A lifetime .184/.257/.278 hitter in the big leagues, Kreidler's recent hot stretch at the plate is likely just a blip on the radar, but he could play ahead of Tristan Gray at shortstop more often than not until his bat cools.

Kirk is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Rangers.

Kirk will get a break Friday after he went 1-for-7 at the plate while catching 18 innings over the past two days. Brandon Valenzuela will step in at catcher for Kirk and will bat eighth.