MLB Player News

Johnson pitched just one inning Wednesday, allowing two runs on three walks for Triple-A Pawtucket.

The immediate concern was that there might be an injury, but the Red Sox organization was quick to point out that weather was a factor in the decision to remove Johnson, according to the Providence Journal. Johnson had warmed up for the scheduled 10:35 a.m. start, but rain delayed the start of the game by 81 minutes. When he got on the mound to start the game, he didn't have his best stuff. The Red Sox are right to be cautious with the left-hander, who missed the final two months of 2015 with nerve irritation in the forearm and had a toe injury during spring training this year. He had been on a pitch limit to start 2016, but had ramped up to at least 95 pitches in his previous two starts.

Manaea allowed four runs on seven hits over five innings while striking out six and walking one in his second big league start Wednesday. He did not factor in the decision.

The A's pulled him after just 75 pitches, thanks in large part to a four-run fifth inning from the Seattle offense. Manaea served up a mammoth two-run homer to Nelson Cruz in that frame, but he had tossed four scoreless innings prior to his meltdown the third time through the batting order. Currently, he's lined up to face the Red Sox at Fenway Park in his next scheduled start.

Duffey is slated to start Sunday against the White Sox in Chicago, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

With Ervin Santana (back) expected to be activated from the DL in order to take the mound Saturday, Duffey has been tentatively penciled into the schedule for Sunday. Duffey's pair of starts this season have been encouraging, especially Saturday's outing in which he gave up four runs (one earned) on five hits and no walks while striking out seven in 6.1 innings against the Tigers.

Santiago struck out four and walked four while giving up three runs on eight hits over 5.1 innings in a no-decision against Milwaukee on Wednesday afternoon.

The Angels rallied against the Milwaukee bullpen Wednesday, preventing Santiago from getting the victory on a day in which he labored to the tune of 116 pitches. If the current schedule holds up, Santiago will make two starts next week, first taking the ball Tuesday at home against the Cardinals before a second turn May 15 at Seattle.

The Blue Jays recalled Girodo from Triple-A Buffalo following Tuesday's game, Brendan Kennedy of the Toronto Star reports.

Girodo was called up to add another left-handed reliever to the Blue Jays' bullpen. He appeared in a game for the big club earlier this season and allowed just one hit over two scoreless innings. He figures to pitch situationally in middle relief.

Moore (1-3) was clobbered by the Dodgers in Tuesday's loss. He allowed seven runs, eight hits and three walks while striking out a season-low two in just 4.1 innings.

After starting the season with three solid outings, Moore's now dropped three consecutive decisions, while his ERA jumping two full runs over that span. His poor 1.5 HR/9 and low strand rate (63.2 percent) have contributed to the drop-off, but the left-hander's 9.2 K/9 is still strong.

Kelly (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Tuesday and is set to make a rehabilitation start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday, the Boston Globe reports.

Manager John Farrell said Kelly will need at least two rehab starts. The question remains whether or not Kelly returns to Boston's rotation. With Eduardo Rodriguez (knee) nearing a return to Boston, he will likely replace Henry Owens in the current iteration of the rotation. There isn't an obvious replacement when Kelly is ready to return. Steven Wright, who pitched well again Tuesday, deserves to hold his spot. That would leave Clay Buchholz, who has not pitched well to start the season, but has a track record of rebounding from poor starts. That makes Buchholz's scheduled start Wednesday very interesting.

Smith pitched a scoreless inning, striking out one, in Tuesday night's loss to the White Sox.

Smith, who was activated off the disabled list earlier in the day, was making his season debut after recovering from a forearm strain. He came on in the seventh inning of a close game, which will be the typical pattern of usage for the right hander.

McHugh allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks with six strikeouts over 5.2 innings in a win Tuesday over the Twins.

McHugh induced 12 swinging strikes and was nasty at times, but he was touched up for a pair of home runs. McHugh has a decent 23:7 K:BB in 27.1 innings, but hitters are squaring him up with ease this season. Opposing batters now have 43 hits and a .411 BABIP against McHugh in 2016. Hits won't keep dropping against McHugh like this forever, but his velocity is down from 2015 (89.8 MPH average fastball) and he is allowing more line drives and fly balls in 2016 than he did last season.

Robertson threw a clean inning with a strikeout to pick up his ninth save Tuesday against the Red Sox.

Robertson is now 9-for-10 in save opportunities and has been fantastic all year, with a 15:4 K:BB in 12.1 innings and a 0.73 ERA. Robertson has struggled with the home run ball the past two years, but he has yet to surrender one in 2016.