MLB Player News

Manager Robin Ventura said Robertson's recent struggles can not be attributed to the leg injury that bothered Robertson in the first half of the season, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Robertson blew his second save in as many nights Wednesday, and he is now just 4-for-8 in save chances since the All-Star break. His velocity has remained similar to that of earlier in the season and of previous seasons. However, batters have a .958 OPS against him over his last 11 innings, and his striekoeut rate on the season is a career-worst 10.1 K/9. Robertson is in no immediate danger of losing his role, but he may no longer be the steady source of saves he once was.

Barnes, one day after picking up the first save of his career, was tagged for three runs on three hits in a third of an inning in Wednesday night's 9-4 loss to the Yankees.

Barnes was the first of a string of relievers that served up eight runs on eight hits over the course of the seventh and eighth innings Wednesday, delivering another gut-punching loss to Boston. Barnes has done a lot of good out of the pen this season for Boston, but there are times when his high-90s fastball doesn't waver. When that happens, major league hitters can make him pay.

Kimbrel arrived at Fenway Park on Wednesday reporting no soreness in his knee, Kevin DIllon of MassLive.com reports.

The closer, who walked four batters the previous night and then reported soreness in his surgically repaired left knee, said he was ready for duty Wednesday but given that he threw 37 pitches Tuesday, it was doubtful manager John Farrell would be using him. Kimbrel remains day-to-day until we see him enter a game.

Axford notched only his second save of the season Wednesday against the Orioles, striking out one and allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth.

Ryan Madson pitched Monday and Tuesday, so he was unavailable, leaving Axford a rare save chance. He's the clear No. 2 man in the Oakland bullpen while Sean Doolittle (shoulder) remains on the DL.

Pomeranz (8-9) allowed just one run over 5.1 innings Wednesday, but failed to earn a decision as the Red Sox bullpen imploded. He allowed six hits and a walk while striking out five.

Pomeranz remains winless in five starts for the Red Sox, although he's pitched better in his last two starts, allowing just three runs over 11.1 innings. The Red Sox bullpen absolutely imploded after Pomeranz left the game, allowing eight runs in the seventh and eighth innings to eventually lose the game 9-4. Despite the lack of wins, Pomeranz has been great this season, sporting a 3.03 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 141 strikeouts over 127.2 innings. Fantasy owners may want to be wary of Pomeranz's durability down the stretch, however, as the lefty threw just 93 pitches Wednesday, and has already shattered his previous career high in innings pitched of 96.

Devenski will receive the starting nod for the second game of the Astros' doubleheader against the Twins on Thursday.

Manager A.J. Hinch indicated Wednesday night that despite Devenski most recently pitching out of the bullpen, he could go as many as five innings Thursday. Still, that's the best-case scenario, making him a questionable candidate to figure into the decision for the nightcap. There could be a fair amount of bullpen usage between the two contests, and the Astros prepared for it by recalling southpaw Kevin Chapman as another bullpen arm.

Saupold was recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday.

Although he struggled with the big club earlier in the season, allowing eight runs over just 6.2 innings (5 games), Saupold is headed back up to The Show. He's had a solid showing at Triple-A Toledo this season, where he owns a 2.88 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. While Saupold is often used as a starter in the minor leagues, the rookie has only been used as a reliever in the majors.

Chargois was called up by the Twins on Wednesday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Trevor May (back) was placed on the DL on Wednesday, so the Twins needed to add a fresh arm to the bullpen. Chargois has put together a strong campaign at Triple-A Rochester, notching a 1.29 ERA with 41 strikeouts against just eight walks in 35.0 innings. However, his lone appearance in the majors this season was a disastrous one where he allowed five earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning. He'll likely work as a middle reliever during his time with the Twins.

May (back) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with a lower back strain, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

May had strung together seven straight scoreless appearances (8.2 IP) before an uncharacteristically poor outing Aug. 6 in which he allowed a home run and threw a pair of wild pitches. The fact that he's been dealing with lower back issues may explain his struggles, and after a few days off, the Twins opted to place him on the DL rather than rush him back. J.T. Chargois was recalled to take May's spot on the active roster.

Kahnle has given up four runs in seven innings pitched since being recalled on July 9.

The 27-year-old now holds a 5.56 ERA and 2.47 WHIP on the season. As a result, it's unlikely Kahnle's role will increase drastically.