MLB Player News

Martin isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Blue Jays.

Martin raised his batting average to .333 with a three-hit performance in Friday's loss, but the Twins will keep him in the dugout to begin Saturday's game. Matt Wallner will start in right field and bat seventh.

Lewis isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Toronto.

Lewis will get a day off to reset after going 0-for-7 with three strikeouts through the first two games of the series. His absence will give Tristan Gray a start at the hot corner.

The Athletics recalled Morales from Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

Morales was optioned to Triple-A on April 4 after giving up 10 earned runs in just 7.1 innings across his first two starts. His performance at Las Vegas hasn't been much better (8.76 ERA, 2.23 WHIP), but the A's will bring him back to the big leagues nonetheless to replace Brady Basso. Eleven of Morales' 12 career major-league appearances have been as a starter; however, his recent struggles make it likely that he works in long relief while with the A's.

Osuna started in left field and went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Friday's 5-4 win over Detroit.

Osuna's double plated the game-winning run in the top of the eighth inning, and he's now 4-for-12 with two RBI since his call-up. With news that Wyatt Langford (forearm) was pulled from an extended spring training game Thursday due to continued soreness, the lefty-hitting Osuna should remain in the outfield mix. All six of his starts have come against right-handed starters, although Osuna is usually lifted for a pinch hitter when a lefty reliever enter games. Sixteen of his 17 plate appearances have come against righties.

The Reds transferred Lodolo's (finger) rehab assignment to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Lodolo looked sharp in his rehab outing with High-A Dayton this past Sunday, when he allowed two hits and zero walks while striking out seven across five innings. He's been cleared to move his rehab assignment to Triple-A, and he may need just one outing with Louisville before being cleared to return to the big club. Lodolo is in the final stages of his recovery from a blister on his left index finger that landed him on the 15-day injured list prior to the start of the regular season.

The Athletics optioned Basso to Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

Basso made three appearances after being promoted from Triple-A on April 20, allowing two earned runs on five hits and a walk over 2.2 innings. He'll aim to get back on track in the minors; meanwhile, the A's will call up Luis Morales to replace Basso and give their bullpen a fresh arm.

The Reds optioned Maxwell to Triple-A Louisville following Friday's game against the Pirates.

The move corresponds with the Reds activating right-hander Graham Ashcraft (personal) from the bereavement list Saturday. Maxwell was roughed up during Friday's outing against Pittsburgh, as he allowed four runs on three hits (including two homers) and two walks while striking out one batter in one inning of work. He'll return to Triple-A, where he has a 5.91 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB across 10.2 innings this season.

The Reds activated Ashcraft (personal) from the bereavement list Saturday.

Ashcraft went on the team's bereavement list Wednesday, but he is back with the Reds and available for the rest of the weekend road series against the Pirates. He has not given up an earned run since April 3 and boasts a 1.20 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 15:8 K:BB across 15 innings this season. Zach Maxwell was optioned to Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move.

Lukes (hamstring) resumed hitting in the batting cages Friday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The team estimates that Lukes is still about a week away from starting up a running progression, but a return to hitting marks a significant milestone in his recovery from a left hamstring strain. It remains unknown when he'll be cleared to return from the injured list, though a timeline could emerge once he begins running.

Palencia (lat) returned to the Cubs from his rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday and is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list in the coming days, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Palencia landed on the 15-day injured list in mid-April due to a left lat strain. He made his lone rehab outing Friday in Triple-A, striking out one batter while allowing one hit and zero walks in two-thirds of an inning. Palencia has not yielded a run across five major-league innings this season and will resume closing duties for the Cubs once activated from the IL.