MLB Player News

The Giants recalled Beck from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday.

He's taking the roster spot vacated by the injured Justin Verlander (pectoral). Beck has been used in a multi-inning relief role this season with Sacramento, posting a 3.24 ERA and 29:11 K:BB over 25 innings. He could offer some length out of the bullpen Saturday behind Kyle Harrison.

The Cubs reinstated Brasier (groin) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Brasier had been on the shelf since March 27 due to a strained left groin, but he's been cleared to rejoin the Cubs after a lengthy rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa. In six appearances with Iowa, Brasier logged a 3.18 ERA and a 6:1 K:BB across 5.2 innings. Ethan Roberts was optioned to Iowa in a corresponding move.

The Cubs optioned Roberts to Triple-A Iowa on Friday.

Roberts joined the big-league club Tuesday after Porter Hodge (oblique) was put on the injured list. However, he'll head back to Triple-A now that Ryan Brasier (groin) is healthy. Roberts didn't appear in a game during his stint in Chicago.

The Rockies recalled Gordon from Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

Gordon will draw the start at Coors Field for the series opener against the Yankees. He allowed seven runs (four earned) on nine hits and a walk across 6.1 innings in his major-league debut earlier this month, and given the matchup Friday he will be an extremely risky fantasy option.

The Diamondbacks activated Martinez (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Martinez has been shelved for most of May with right shoulder inflammation but is ready to go after making two scoreless rehab appearances. He reached 101.1 mph with his sinker during his last outing at Triple-A Reno, which is particularly encouraging after his velocity had dipped prior to the IL stint. Martinez might be eased back into ninth-inning duty, but it shouldn't be long before he reclaims the closer role with Shelby Miller carrying a 5.63 ERA and 2.13 WHIP in May.

The Reds transferred Spiers (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Friday.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Garrett Hampson. Spiers recently began a throwing program as he comes back from a right shoulder impingement, but he now will not be eligible for activation until late June.

The Reds optioned Hinds to Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

While he popped two home runs during his time with the big club, Hinds went just 3-for-19 with 10 strikeouts. The Reds are replacing him with a more versatile player in Garrett Hampson.

The Reds activated Greene (groin) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Greene will make his return to the Cincinnati rotation with a start against the Cubs after missing the past two-plus weeks with a Grade 1 right groin strain. The right-hander is skipping a rehab assignment, so his workload Friday might be limited. Through 45.2 innings over eight starts this season, Greene sports a 2.36 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 61:8 K:BB.

The Reds signed Hampson to a one-year contract Friday.

Hampson was cut loose by the Diamondbacks earlier this week after slashing only .167/.359/.167 over 41 plate appearances, but he has quickly landed on his feet with a new big-league contract. The 30-year-old will serve in a utility role for Cincinnati.

Lowder (forearm) was removed from a rehab start with Triple-A Louisville in the second inning Thursday with an apparent left side injury, Dusty Baker of WAVE 3 News reports.

Lowder threw a scoreless first inning before having to exit after throwing just one pitch in the second. The righty was making his second rehab start with Louisville and fourth rehab start in total as he comes back from a right forearm strain. Lowder had been roughed up for 11 runs (10 earned) over 7.1 innings on the rehab assignment prior to this setback.