MLB Player News

Bailey went 1-for-3 with two RBI in Monday's 5-2 win over Milwaukee.

Bailey lined an RBI single into right field to put the Giants on the board in the second frame. The 25-year-old added a sacrifice fly in the eighth, driving in San Francisco's final run. Bailey recorded just his second hit over his last five appearances, during which he's gone 2-for-18 with four RBI and a 1:9 BB:K. The switch-hitting catcher is now slashing a lackluster .169/.231/.271 with eight RBI, seven runs scored, five extra-base hits and a 5:23 BB:K across 65 plate appearances.

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.

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 selected Wiles' contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Atlanta had an opening in its rotation after Spencer Strider strained his right hamstring while playing catch Monday and was placed on the injured list, and Wiles looks like he'll get the first chance to fill the void. According to David O'Brien of The Athletic, Atlanta plans to use an opening pitcher to work the first inning or two of Tuesday's game against the Cardinals, but Wiles should be in line to see the bulk of the innings in relief. The 26-year-old right-hander had been the top starter for Gwinnett through his first three outings of the season, logging a 0.64 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB in 14 innings. If Wiles is able to deliver an adequate performance in his MLB debut, he could be in store for multiple turns through the rotation while Atlanta awaits Strider's return from the IL.

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.

Alexander struck out five and allowed one hit and no walks over three scoreless innings in relief en route to earning a save in Sunday's 14-1 win over the Athletics.

After allowing eight runs (four earned) in his previous appearance as a starter in an April 14 loss to the Tigers, Alexander shifted to the bullpen and gave up his spot in the rotation to rookie Logan Henderson. Henderson dazzled in his MLB debut and picked up the win after the limiting the Athletics to one run while striking out nine over six innings, but Alexander finished out the contest in efficient fashion, needing just 42 pitches to retire nine of the 10 batters he faced. The save was the first of Alexander's seven-year MLB career, but the veteran lefty is likely to be used mainly in lower-leverage spots moving forward.

Sheets went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in a loss to Detroit on Monday.

For the first time this season, Sheets began the game in the top- third of San Diego's order -- he batted in the No. 2 slot behind Fernando Tatis. The veteran first baseman proved to be a good fit there, as he reached base twice, including with a solo shot to left-center in the fifth inning. Sheets' move up the order was largely due to the absence of Luis Arraez, who was placed on the 7-day concussion IL on Monday. Sheets has done plenty with the bat to deserve being pushed up higher in the lineup, though, as he's slashing .344/.388/.557 with three home runs, 12 RBI, seven runs and a stolen base through 67 plate appearances.

Soroka (biceps) is expected to make a rehab start for Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday.

Soroka was placed on the injured list April 4 due to a right biceps strain but has made positive strides in his recovery in recent days. He completed a bullpen session over the weekend without issue and has now received the green light to take the next step forward in his rehab process by heading to the minors. The Nationals haven't outlined their plans for Soroka, but he may need to make an additional rehab start after Tuesday before becoming an option for the big-league rotation.

Abrams (hip) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday.

Abrams is eligible for activation from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, but the Nationals want him to play at least one rehab game first. Barring any setbacks, Abrams should rejoin the Nats' active roster later this week. He's been out since mid-April with a right hip flexor strain.