MLB Player News

Rodney retired both batters he faced with one strikeout during Sunday's outing against the Rays.

Rodney's outing was hardly notable aside from the fact that he was used in the fifth inning, after starter Fernando Romero faltered. His deployment seems even odder considering the team coughed up a lead in the ninth inning before winning the game in extras. Despite this development, Rodney still seems to have a solid grasp on the team's closer role heading into the All-Star break, though he might be a trade candidate heading into the July 31 non-waiver deadline.

Stanek allowed one run on two hits with no walks and two strikeouts in two innings during Sunday's outing against the Twins. He didn't factor into the decision.

Serving as the opener once again, Stanek breezed through the first inning before allowing a run on two hits in the second. He threw 21 of 31 pitches for strikes but was capped at two innings as the Rays paraded out nine pitchers on the day. Stanek has a solid 2.08 ERA to go along with a sharp 0.95 WHIP, but his inability to pile up wins or saves limits his fantasy appeal.

Kittredge was optioned to Triple-A Durham following Sunday's matchup against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After getting called up to the big club July 11, Kittredge appeared in one outing, tossing 2.1 innings and surrendering one run on three hits and one walk while fanning two. Through 15 games for the Rays this season, the 28-year-old right-hander has accrued a 8.14 ERA and 1.90 WHIP with 14 strikeouts over 21 innings.

Johnson (hip) lasted 4.2 innings and didn't factor into the decision in his start Sunday in the Red Sox's 5-2 win over the Blue Jays. He allowed two runs on two hits and four walks and struck out five.

Johnson bounced back from a bout of hip inflammation to return from the 10-day disabled list in the minimum amount of time, but he didn't exhibit much command or control in his return to the mound. Both of the hits Johnson allowed went for extra bases -- including a two-run blast by Teoscar Hernandez in the third inning -- and he needed 84 pitches to retire 14 hitters. Despite the southpaw's middling results as a starter this season, he'll be guaranteed at least one more start July 21 against the Tigers, according to Matt Vautour of MassLive.com reports. If Johnson turns a corner in that outing, he'll have a good chance at earning an extended stay in the rotation with Eduardo Rodriguez (ankle) likely out until at least mid-August and Drew Pomeranz (biceps) and Steven Wright (knee) also on the disabled list.

The Angels recalled Paredes from Triple-A Salt Lake prior to Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic Los Angeles reports.

It's already the eighth callup of the season for Paredes, who has yielded 14 earned runs on 25 hits and six walks over 16.1 innings across his previous seven stints with the big club. Expect the Angels to limit the right-hander's usage to lower-leverage situations while he's up in the majors.

The Red Sox officially activated Johnson (hip) from the 10-day disabled list ahead of his scheduled start Sunday against the Blue Jays, Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald reports.

To clear room on the active roster for Johnson, Boston optioned fellow starter Eduardo Rodriguez (ankle) to the DL. Since it's unknown if Rodriguez's injury will keep him sidelined beyond the minimum amount of time or if Drew Pomeranz (biceps) will be ready to return from the DL when a fifth starter is first needed after the All-Star break, Johnson could earn an additional turn or two through the rotation beyond Sunday.

Pomeranz will remain at Triple-A Pawtucket for at least one more rehab start after lasting just 3.2 innings in his most recent outing Friday, Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald reports.

This was the second uninspiring start for Pomeranz while on rehab. In three starts overall, the left-hander has pitched a total of 9.1 innings while allowing nine runs on 13 hits and five walks. With Eduardo Rodriguez (ankle) landing on the disabled list Saturday, the Red Sox are relying on Pomeranz figuring out his mechanics and contributing in the rotation in the second half.

Kelly allowed two runs on two hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning in Saturday's 6-2 win over the Blue Jays.

Kelly was cruising through May with a 1.73 ERA, but a recent horrible stretch increased the ERA to 4.31. He's permitted runs in eight of his last 18 outings, posting an ugly 9.22 ERA and 1.90 WHIP over 13.2 innings since June 1. Manager Alex Cora continues to put him in key spots, but one wonders how much longer can he turn to Kelly in tight games.

Castro will start Sunday's game against the Rangers, Rich Dubroff of PressBoxonline.com reports.

The Orioles waited until the last minute, only revealing Castro as Sunday's starter less than two hours prior to first pitch. The 23-year-old was a bit more stretched out earlier this season but hasn't topped 50 pitches since early May, so he is unlikely to operate as a prototypical starting pitcher Sunday, although he hasn't pitched since a 10-pitch appearance Thursday.

Stanek will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Twins.

As has been the case in each of his previous 11 "starts" this season, Stanek is expected to be capped at about two innings, which makes it unlikely he'll factor into the decision. Despite his lack of wins or saves production, Stanek makes for useful roster filler in deeper mixed leagues or AL-only formats thanks to his sterling ratios. He has posted a 1.93 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 11.3 K/9 across his 27 appearances this season.