MLB Player News

Richards (3-0) was credited with the win in a victory over the Angels on Saturday, working two scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and did not record any walks or strikeouts.

Richards put together his second consecutive multi-inning scoreless outing following starter Tyler Glasnow's planned exit after three frames. The right-hander has allowed just three hits over the 4.2 innings covering his most recent pair of outings, lowering his ERA with the Rays to 2.11 in the process.

Green will serve as the opener Sunday against the Blue Jays, Randy Miller of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Green handles longer outings than most relievers do, but he hasn't thrown more than three innings in any game this season, so don't expect him to pitch long enough to be eligible for a win. Jordan Montgomery (shoulder) will follow Green for his first appearance of the season.

Pressly (knee) is expected to throw live batting practice when the Astros return home, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pressly threw a bullpen session Saturday, the first since undergoing right knee surgery, and passed that test. The Astros come back from the road to kick off a series against the Rangers on Tuesday, so the live BP session should occur in the next few days. Manager AJ Hinch intimated it could be the final hurdle before Pressly returns to active duty in the Astros' bullpen.

Colome (4-4) allowed a run on one hit while striking out one to pick up the loss against the Mariners on Saturday.

Colome entered a tied game in the 10th inning and served up a walkoff home run to former White Sox catcher Omar Narvaez. Putting aside the loss in a non-save situation, Colome has been the league's top closer in terms of percentage, converting 96.4 percent of his opportunities.

VerHagen tossed four scoreless innings in relief but didn't factor into the decision Saturday in the Tigers' 8-4 win over the Orioles in 12 innings. He scattered three hits and a walk and struck out two in the appearance.

The piggyback arrangement between Daniel Norris and Drew VerHagen once again proved favorable, as the two pitchers combined to cover seven scoreless frames. Since whiffing a career-high 11 in a spot start Aug. 23 in Minnesota, VerHagen has remained effective while working as a bulk reliever in his last four appearances. Over that stretch, VerHagen has supplied a 2.16 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 16.2 innings.

Barria (4-9) took the loss Saturday as the Angels were stung 3-1 by the Rays, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over 5.1 innings while striking out four.

The right-hander turned in one of his better recent outings, but the Angels' offense couldn't get anything going with Mike Trout (toe) and Justin Upton (knee) sidelined. Barria has now lost six straight decisions, with his last win coming July 24, and he'll carry a 5.95 ERA and 70:25 K:BB through 75.2 innings into his next start Friday in Houston.

Pagan struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his 20th save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Angels.

He's been impressive since the beginning of August, converting 12 of 13 save chances with a 2.29 ERA, 0.56 WHIP and 28:1 K:BB through 19.2 innings. Pagan's emergence as full-time closer has given the Rays' bullpen some structure and been a key factor in the team's push for a wild-card spot.

Norris tossed three shutout innings while allowing one hit and zero walks with three strikeouts during a no-decision against the Orioles on Saturday.

This one went into extra innings anyway, but Norris again failed to factor into the decision because he pitched just three innings. That should obviously be expected at this point, though, as Norris hasn't pitched into the fourth inning of any start since Aug. 6. Despite needing just 37 pitches to get through three Saturday, the Tigers still didn't let him take the mound for a fourth frame. The limited among of work has helped his ERA, but it caps his value in the wins and strikeout departments. He is 3-12 with a 4.62 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 119 strikeouts in 138.1 innings this season. Norris is scheduled to start again Friday at home against the White Sox.

Hendriks allowed a hit and a walk in the ninth inning, but recorded a strikeout and earned the save in Saturday's 8-6 win over the Rangers.

Hendriks walked Willie Calhoun to begin the inning, but erased the mistake with a double play. Nomar Mazara then reached on a single, but Hendriks whiffed Danny Santana to escape unharmed. The closer is up to 22 saves for the season. He's tossed seven straight scoreless innings, lowering his ERA to 1.59 for the year. Hendriks also boasts a 0.97 WHIP and 115:21 K:BB in 79.1 innings.

Hernandez will serve as an opener Sunday against Oakland.

Hernandez owns a 1.93 ERA in 9.1 innings for the Rangers this season, though his 8:7 K:BB is far from convincing. The Rangers have yet to announce who will follow him Sunday.