MLB Player News

The Giants recalled Avila from Double-A Richmond on Thursday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Avila was optioned Wednesday but will return to the 26-man active roster one day later to replace lefty Blake Snell (personal), who was placed on the paternity list. Manager Bob Melvin will have another relief option at his disposal while Avila is with the big club, but the 26-year-old will likely be sent to Triple-A Sacramento once Snell rejoins the team.

The Giants placed Snell on the paternity list Thursday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Snell will be off the active roster for a few days while welcoming a new baby, but he's expected to rejoin the Giants in time for his next start, which is slated for Monday against the Phillies at Oracle Park. Reliever Nick Avila was called up from Double-A Richmond to take over Snell's spot on the 26-man active roster.

Williamson (shoulder) struck out four and allowed one earned run on five hits and one walk over 3.2 innings Sunday in his rehab start with Triple-A Louisville.

Sunday's outing was Williamson's first with Louisville but the second overall of his rehab assignment, which he began with High-A Dayton on May 14. Williamson, who has been on the shelf all season with a left shoulder strain, is eligible for activation next week, but he'll likely need at least another rehab start or two to get fully stretched out for a traditional starting role. With Nick Lodolo (groin) tentatively in line to return from the 15-day injured list Monday to bring the Cincinnati rotation back to full strength, Williamson may have to settle for a bullpen role once activated, if the Reds don't elect to option him to Louisville to remain on a starter's schedule.

Martinez (1-3) took the loss Wednesday as the Reds were downed 7-3 by the Padres, coughing up five runs on eight hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. He struck out two.

Making his fifth start of the season, Martinez served up a leadoff homer to Luis Arraez that proved to be a bad omen for the rest of the game as he lasted only 66 pitches (40 strikes) before getting the hook. The right-hander has been volatile in a swingman role for Cincy, posting a 4.81 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 31:6 K:BB through 43 innings, but with Nick Lodolo (groin) set to rejoin the rotation Monday, Martinez should be headed back to the bullpen.

Arraez went 4-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in Wednesday's 7-3 win over the Reds.

The 27-year-old led off the game with his first homer of the season as he produced his seventh straight multi-hit performance. Arraez has been raking since being traded to the Padres, slashing .391/.425/.478 in 73 plate appearances, and with Xander Bogaerts (shoulder) facing a lengthy absence, he should be locked in as San Diego's everyday second baseman.

King (4-4) picked up the win Wednesday, giving up three runs on four hits and two walks over 6.2 innings in a 7-3 victory over the Reds. He struck out six.

The right-hander delivered his fifth quality start of the year, and his third in four May outings, on 92 pitches (62 strikes). King has had trouble maintaining consistency as he adjusts to being a full-time starting pitcher, but his 3.24 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 27:7 K:BB through 25 innings this month is encouraging. He'll look to put together another solid start in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Marlins.

Bae will start in center field and bat ninth in Thursday's game against the Giants, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Bae will stick in the starting nine for the second time in three games and may end up getting a look in the strong side of a platoon in center field with the right-handed-hitting Michael Taylor, who is on the bench Thursday and has been withheld from the lineup in four straight matchups versus righties. After being called up from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Bae impressed in his 2024 big-league debut later that night, going 1-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base, two runs and an RBI.

Beeks allowed one earned run on two hits and a walk to blow the save Wednesday against the Athletics.

Beeks was tasked with protecting a one-run lead and retired two of the first three batters he faced. However, he went on to allow the next two hitters to reach base, blowing his first save since taking over as the Rockies' closer. Beeks has allowed only two earned runs in seven innings since stepping into ninth-inning duties, but his 1.57 WHIP and 6:4 K:BB in that span are likely more indicative of his future results.

Friedl (thumb) has progressed to hitting flipped balls in the batting cage and hopes to be cleared to take batting practice soon, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Friedl is making a rapid recovery from a fractured left thumb, an injury he suffered just 11 days ago. If the outfielder is able to take batting practice soon, a brief rehab assignment should follow shortly after. He would appear on track for an early June return from the 10-day injured list.

Koch picked up the save in an extra-innings win over Oakland on Wednesday, allowing one walk over one-third of an inning.

Koch entered the contest with two outs and a runner on first in the bottom of the 12th and proceeded to walk the first batter he faced, putting him in an even bigger jam. However, the right-hander was able to get Max Schuemann to fly out in the following at-bat to secure his first save of the season. Koch got the opportunity after Jalen Beeks blew the save in the ninth, marking the former's first big-league appearance this season.