• Alexis Díaz nearly blows save versus Cubs
    Alexis Díaz escaped with his 11th save after giving up a run in the ninth Friday against the Reds.

    Advice: Díaz got lucky when a pitch that hit both Nick Madigal’s hand and the knob of his bat was ruled a foul ball and was then fortunate again when Madrigal, as the tying run, was thrown out at home plate trying to score on Seiya Suzuki’s double. Díaz has a 5.91 ERA this season. He’s walked 15 and hit three batters in 21 1/3 innings. He’s simply not worthy of trust right now, but since he’s blown only two saves and the Reds don’t have anyone else they’re really wanting to turn to, he’ll probably remain in the closer’s role for now. Lucas Sims is likely still second in line, even if Fernando Cruz is the more interesting reliever these days. Rotoworld Friday, 2:40 pm
  • Walks tightrope for 11th save
    Diaz earned the save Friday against the Cubs despite allowing a run on two hits in a walk in the ninth inning.

    Advice: Diaz allowed the first two baserunners to reach safely before surrendering a one-out double to Seiya Suzuki. While one run scored on the play, Jacob Hurtubise would throw out Nick Madrigal at the plate as the tying run before Diaz got Cody Bellinger to fly out, sealing a 5-4 victory. While it didn't come easy for Diaz on Friday, he's now converted four straight save opportunities while allowing just one earned run in his last 5.2 innings. Diaz's ERA still sits at an uninspiring 5.91 with a 1.55 WHP and 22:15 K:BB across 21.1 innings this year. He's converted 11 of 13 save chances overall. Rotowire.com Friday, 2:40 pm
  • Royals recall Klein from Triple-A
    Royals recalled RHP Will Klein from Triple-A Omaha.

    Advice: Klein has appeared in one game for the Royals this year. At Triple-A, he had a 1.93 ERA in 21 appearances with a SO:BB of 23:14. The 24-year-old right-hander gives Kansas City another option in the bullpen. Rotoworld Friday, 11:48 am
  • Recalled from minors
    Kansas City recalled Klein from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

    Advice: The 24-year-old righty will rejoin the Royals after being optioned down in late April, while southpaw Daniel Lynch gets sent down to Omaha in a corresponding move. Klein has seen just one inning with Kansas City this year and logged two strikeouts with no runs allowed. Rotowire.com Friday, 11:34 am
  • Completes bullpen session
    Mahle (elbow) threw a bullpen session off a game mound May 18, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

    Advice: According to Grant, Mahle took the mound for biomechanical evaluation, so it's not entirely clear if he's at a point in his rehab from May 2023 Tommy John surgery where he's regularly throwing bullpen sessions, or if the Rangers simply wanted to get a quick gauge of his progress. In any case, Mahle is unlikely to be cleared for game action until after the All-Star break, and he's expected to require an extended minor-league rehab assignment before he's activated from the 60-day injured list. Rotowire.com Friday, 8:26 am
    Tyler MahleTEX - SP
    5:05 pm vs DET
     
  • Zach Eflin throws bullpen session Thursday
    Zach Eflin (back) threw a bullpen session on Thursday.

    Advice: Eflin threw 26 pitches before Thursday’s series finale against the Athletics. He has another bullpen session scheduled for this Sunday. If all goes well, Eflin could return to the Rays rotation as early as next week. Rotoworld Friday, 6:14 am
     
  • Works three innings
    Martinez allowed three hits and one walk while striking out two over three scoreless innings in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Mets.

    Advice: Martinez had never recorded more than six outs in an MLB game, but he gave the Diamondbacks nine outs on a night when starter Zac Gallen (hamstring) was removed after six pitches. The reliever worked around traffic, helped by double plays in the fourth and fifth innings. The right-hander has made 12 consecutive scoreless appearances and given up just one run over 18.2 innings. Rotowire.com Friday, 4:33 am
  • Could be activated next week
    Manager Kevin Cash said that Eflin (back) will throw a light bullpen session Thursday and a "ramped-up bullpen session" Sunday before the Rays decide his next steps, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

    Advice: Cash noted that the Rays will wait and see how Eflin feels following Sunday's session, but if his lower-back injury isn't providing any complications, he could be cleared to return from the 15-day injured list next week. When Eflin was placed on the IL on May 20, Cash estimated that the right-hander would need 2-to-4 weeks to make a full recovery, and Eflin currently looks to be tracking toward the short end of that timeline. Rotowire.com Thursday, 8:25 am
     
  • Aiming to return Tuesday
    Rays manager Kevin Cash said Thursday that Lowe (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham this weekend and hopes to be activated from the 10-day injured list Tuesday versus the Marlins, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

    Advice: Last week, Lowe made his second trip to the IL this season with a right oblique strain. The strain was deemed mild, allowing him to resume baseball activities ahead of this weekend's rehab assignment. If Lowe does indeed return Tuesday, he will have missed just a little more than the minimum 10 days. Rotowire.com Thursday, 8:23 am