MLB Player News

Devenski pitched two scoreless innings in relief during Wednesday's 7-0 shutout of the A's. He struck out three.

After a stellar June (0.64 ERA, 13:2 K:BB in 14 innings), Devenski has a 2.53 ERA in seven July appearances. Overall, the 25-year-old right-hander has performed well for the Astros this season, posting a 2.26 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 54:16 K:BB over 63.1 innings.

Barnes tossed three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out two in Wednesday night's 11-7 win over the Giants.

The Red Sox were on the verge of blowing an eight-run lead when Barnes entered in the sixth inning with the bases loaded, no outs, and Boston clinging to an 8-7 lead. He got a double-play grounder and foul out to extricate the Red Sox from that jam, then held the Giants at bay the next two innings. The outing continues a nice stretch for the right-hander, who has a 1.56 ERA with a 17:2 K:BB over his last 12 appearances, spanning 17.1 innings. As the Red Sox cope with injuries in the bullpen, Barnes has earned the confidence and trust of manager John Farrell. He may not get any save opportunities while Craig Kimbrel (knee) and Koji Uehara (pectoral muscle) are out -- Brad Ziegler is the primary closer while they rehab -- but Barnes has earned a chance to pitch in high-leverage situations.

Pomeranz was unable to throw his signature curveball with any effectiveness Wednesday, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports.

Without an effective curveball, the pitch Pomeranz throws most often (39 percent of the time according to BrooksBaseball.net), the left-hander had to rely on the fastball. That left him vulnerable when he didn't locate it. His three-plus inning debut for Boston will certainly generate a lot of talk-radio chatter, but let's give the guy a few starts before declaring that he can't pitch in the heat of the AL East or the Boston baseball market.

Santiago (8-4) allowed the Rangers to score three runs on five hits and three walks while lasting just five innings Wednesday, but still went home with his fourth consecutive win.

He'd certainly pitched much better in the prior three, but Santiago's fantasy owners will take what they can get after having weathered the storm of his struggles in May and June. The 28-year-old lefty has outpitched his peripherals for years, consistently finishing with an ERA in the mid-threes despite his FIP often suggesting it ought to be a full run higher, but that run of luck has mostly come to an end this season. He's actually still outpitching his peripherals despite an unattractive 4.32 ERA, and a matchup against the defending-champion Royals on Tuesday doesn't promise to help Santiago improve his ratios.

Pomeranz lasted only three innings in his first start with the Red Sox, giving up five runs on eight hits and two walks, but was able to avoid taking a loss.

The lefty's been so good this year, it's startling to see him turn in such a bad start; this was his shortest outing of the year and just his second time failing to finish five innings in 18 starts. Fenway Park isn't as friendly to pitchers as Petco, but Pomeranz has been so good, it's hard to worry about that; we'll give him a mulligan for struggling while pitching on the biggest stage of his career Wednesday.

Mengden (1-5) pitched five innings, allowing three runs, five hits and five walks while striking out five in Wednesday's loss to the Astros.

He recovered from a shaky start, blanking the Astros over the last three innings, but Mengden's lack of control early cost him. In the second inning, he walked three batters, including one with the bases loaded. By the end of that frame, the rookie had already thrown 50 of his 101 pitches. Mengden has a 9.33 ERA over his past four starts after posting a 2.81 ERA in his first four big league outings. He'll look to rebound Monday when he takes the hill against Texas.

Neal could be summoned from Triple-A to start in place of Rich Hill on Sunday against Tampa Bay, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

He's been more effective than Jesse Hahn at Triple-A Nashville this season, but both are in the mix to make a spot start and possibly stick around in Oakland if Hill is traded prior to the August 1 non-waiver trade deadline. Neal continues to chew up innings effectively in the Pacific Coast League, but he's unlikely to provide much in terms of strikeouts, as he's managed just a 32:8 K:BB in 61.2 innings with the Sounds this season.

Layne may see situational save chances against left-handed hitters in the absence of Craig Kimbrel and Koji Uehara, Mike Silverman of the Boston Herald reports.

Robbie Ross can be used in a similar manner, while Red Sox manager John Farrell is expected to lean primarily on Brad Ziegler as his primary ninth-inning option in the coming weeks. The two lefties could be used as matchup-based options if Ziegler is needed earlier in the game.

Boshers was recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.

Boshers was sent to Triple-A on July 4 and threw 4.1 scoreless innings for Rochester. He'll pitch in middle relief and may shuttle between Triple-A and the majors throughout the second half.

Carroll was traded to the Rangers for cash considerations Wednesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Carroll had been outrighted to Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday and will now pack up and join the Rangers. Carroll, a former third-round pick, hasn't been able to find his game in Triple-A this season, going 2-8 with a 5.55 ERA through 60 innings of work in a combined role both as a reliever and starter. The 31-year-old also gave up three earned runs in three appearances out of the White Sox's bullpen this season. He will likely play out the season as minor league depth.