MLB Player News

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.

The Padres placed Arraez (concussion) on the 7-day injured list prior to Monday's 6-4 loss to the Tigers.

San Diego called up infielder Mason McCoy from Triple-A El Paso to fill the open spot on the 26-man active roster, but Gavin Sheets ended up picking up the start at first base in Arraez's stead Monday, while Oscar Gonzalez served as the Padres' designated hitter. Arraez experienced concussion symptoms after he collided with the Astros' Mauricio Dubon in the first inning of Sunday's 3-2 win over Houston, resulting in the 28-year-old being carted off the field and taken to a hospital. Arraez has since relayed that he's feeling well, but he'll be out for at least this week while he recovers from the concussion.

Diaz allowed three runs on three hits and one walk over 1.1 innings in Monday's 6-3 loss to Miami. He also hit a batter.

Diaz stranded a pair of inherited runners to get out of the sixth inning but ran into trouble in the seventh, when pinch hitter Kyle Stowers took him deep for a three-run home run. It was the first time in four outings that Diaz was scored upon. The former closer has allowed four hits and four walks while striking two over four innings.

Lux went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Monday's 6-3 loss to the Marlins.

Lux was the lone Red to deliver with runners in scoring position -- the team was 1-for-10 in such situations -- when he launched a two-run home run as part of a three-run eighth inning. The homer was the first of the season for Lux, who extended a hit streak to seven games, during which he's 13-for-25 (.520) with three extra-base hits, six RBI, one steal and eight runs scored. Since injured teammates have returned, Lux has moved around the diamond, getting starts at third base, second base, DH and left field during the streak.

Herrera (knee) began a baserunning progression Sunday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Herrera did some straight-line running from base to base and will progress to rounding bases as his injured left knee allows. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that Herrera has been able to increase other baseball activities without setbacks, and the catcher has also been taking batting practice and catching pitches from a high-velocity pitching machine. Herrera is just past the two-week mark of an absence that's expected to last at least four weeks, and his recovery seems to be coming along well. The young catcher is dealing with a bone bruise in his knee.

Fedde pitched through a calf issue after being struck by a line drive in the second inning of Monday's outing in Atlanta, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Fedde wound up covering six innings in the start and limited Atlanta to two runs. He worked with a trainer in between innings to keep the muscle loose and felt fine while pitching, but Fedde had trouble putting weight on the leg while talking to the media after the game. Fedde will have six days of rest before his next scheduled start Monday in Cincinnati, and there's no indication at this point that he might be in danger of missing that start.