MLB Player News

Athletics starter Sean Nolin took a no-decision on Thursday against the White Sox, surrendering five hits, two earned runs and three walks in five innings.

Nolin turned in another solid effort in his third start since his Sept. 4 call-up from Triple-A Nashville. The young southpaw has given up three runs or less in all three appearances, with control being his most visible weakness. Nolin has surrendered eight walks in 16 2/3 innings pitched for a robust 4.44 BB/9 rate, a number well above his 2.99 metric over 485 2/3 minor-league frames.

Nolin figures to receive at least two more starts to further his development before the 2015 campaign concludes.

Yankees setup man Dellin Betances didn't set up closer Andrew Miller all that effectively Wednesday against Tampa Bay, but he did work around three walks to pitch 1 1/3 shutout innings to help his team win.

Betances still sports an impressive 118:35 K:BB ratio in 75 1/3 innings of work. Wednesday was his 25th hold of the year to go along with eight saves filling in for Miller.

Twins reliever Trevor May was unavailable Wednesday due to a lower back/hip issue, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

"It just feels a little tweaky on him," manager Paul Molitor said. "I'm hoping it's nothing serious. I'm optimistic. I think he worked through some things today. We'll probably have a better read (Thursday)."

May might not have been available Wednesday after appearing in Tuesday's game. May has thrived since moving to a setup role, but has struggled recently with a 8.44 ERA in his last five outings.

Twins pitcher Tyler Duffey will get the start Sunday in place of Phil Hughes, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports. 

Hughes has lost each of his last three starts, allowing a total of 16 earned runs over his last 11 2/3 innings. He'll have his scheduled start bumped back, and Duffey will take the hill Sunday on five days of rest. Duffey earned the win Monday against Detroit, allowing seven hits but only one earned run over 6.1 innings.

Red Sox pitcher Joe Kelly (shoulder) has been officially shut down for the season, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports. 

Interim manager Torey Lovullo indicated this was likely after Kelly's outing Tuesday was cut short by shoulder tightness/fatigue, but the team officially ended the right-hander's 2015 season Wednesday. Kelly has been sent back to Boston for an MRI on the shoulder. Rich Hill, who shined in his first start, figures to stick in the Boston rotation.

The Tigers have activated starter Daniel Norris (oblique) off the disabled list and announced he will pitch Wednesday against Minnesota.

The move is essentially a formality after the team declared Monday that Norris would take the hill against the Twins. Norris will likely be capped around 50 pitches, however, so he's not of much use in daily formats.

Astros pitcher Collin McHugh gave up five runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out four over 3 2/3 innings Tuesday against the Rangers. 

McHugh has now given up 10 runs on 14 hits and five walks over his last two starts (nine innings), so it is hard to start the righty with confidence going forward.

His ERA now sits at 4.05 through 182 innings -- a far cry from the 2.73 mark he posted in 154.2 innings last season. McHugh's next start will come Sunday at home against the A's.

Red Sox pitcher Joe Kelly (shoulder) will likely be shut down for the season, The Boston Globe's Pete Abraham reports.

He left Tuesday's start with right shoulder tightness/fatigue, so it makes sense that the Red Sox won't push their luck with him over the final two-to-three weeks of the season.

Kelly really shined down the stretch prior to the injury, so he could be a trendy option heading into 2016 if he can prove he is healthy in spring training.

Red Sox starter Joe Kelly left Tuesday's start with right shoulder tightness/fatigue, the Providence Journal's Tim Britton reports.

He started off the game in excellent form over the first two innings, but things unraveled in the third inning, as he gave up four runs (three earned) while recording just one out before exiting. With only a little more than two weeks remaining in the regular season it's quite possible that Kelly won't pitch again in 2015.

Athletics pitcher Jesse Chavez has a non-displaced rib fracture and his season is over, MLB.com's Jane Lee reports.

The 32-year-old righty predictably regressed this season, posting a 4.18 ERA compared to a 3.45 ERA in 2014. That said, his 3.86 FIP was almost identical to his 3.89 FIP from last season, so that is probably a good gauge of his true talent. He should compete for a spot at the back of Oakland's rotation next spring. Cody Martin will make the start Wednesday against the White Sox and could stick in Oakland's rotation down the stretch.