MLB Player News

The Jekyll-Hyde run of Athletics starter Jesse Chavez continued Sunday when he followed a terrible performance with a strong one in a no-decision against host Arizona.

Chavez yielded just one earned run on eight hits in five innings with one walk and six strikeouts.

One problem is that it took him 95 pitches to get through five. Another is that he couldn't recover from a two-out error in the second, giving up singles to Ender Inciarte and Chris Owings that resulted in two unearned runs.

Chavez has just three quality starts in his last eight outings.

Rays closer Brad Boxberger arrived in the ninth Sunday with a one-run lead against tough Kansas City.

No muss, no fuss.

Boxberger retired the Royals in order to notch his 32nd save. It marked his second straight hitless appearance after having allowed at least one run in each of his previous three while giving up six hits during that stretch.

If Athletics left-hander Drew Pomeranz was seeking to solidify what appears to be his hold on the closer role, he certainly stated one heck of a case with his arm Saturday night.

Pomeranz struck out the side in Arizona for his third save. He finished with a flourish, fanning Jarrod Saltalamacchia on three pitches.

He has thrown 4 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings and whiffed seven in that stretch.

Red Sox starting pitcher Joe Kelly was very impressive during his start against the Mets on Saturday.

Kelly allowed just one run on five hits in 7 1/3 innings. He struck out two batters and allowed a pair of walks.

With the win, Kelly improved to 8-6 on the season with a 4.94 ERA.

Tigers starter Buck Farmer was not sharp in his outing against the Blue Jays on Saturday. The young right-hander allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits over four innings, as the Tigers got pounced in the 15-1 rout.

Farmer (0-3, 8.21 ERA) was hit hard and often in this one, as he got things started off by serving up a three-run home run to Edwin Encarnacion in the first inning. The Jays kept on adding to their lead, and the Tigers' offense was unable to solve Drew Hutchison in the afternoon.

Saturday was Farmer's fifth start of the season, and he has allowed at least three earned runs in each of those outings. 

The White Sox have activated right-handed reliever Daniel Webb from the 15-day disabled list. Webb had been out since early August with a back issue.

To make room for him on the 25-man roster, Zach Putnam has been placed on the 15-day DL with a right groin strain (retroactive to August 27).

The Rangers made a variety of roster moves Friday including calling up pitcher Andrew Faulkner and optioning pitcher Nick Martinez to Triple-A, reports the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. In addition to those moves, the team designated Chris Rearick for assignment.

White Sox closer David Robertson retired the side in order, working a scoreless ninth inning to protect the 4-2 win over the Mariners on Thursday. Robertson needed just 10 pitches, en route to his 27th save of the season.

Robertson has now converted four consecutive save chances.

Rays reliever Brad Boxberger needed 14 pitches to strike out the side, preserving the 5-4 win over the Twins on Thursday. Boxberger picked up his 31st save of the season with the impressive showing.

This was a solid outing for Boxberger, who had allowed a run in each of his previous three appearances.

Angels starter Hector Santiago was done in by the longball Wednesday, giving up three home runs in a loss to the Tigers. 

Santiago lasted just 4 1/3 innings, giving up seven hits and five earned runs. He struggled with his control once again, walking three. He has now issued 10 free passes over his last three starts, a rare loss of wildness for one of the AL's leaders in fewest walks. 

Santiago's promising start has taken a sour turn. He is now 0-4 with three no-decisions in his last seven starts to drop to 7-8, and his ERA has risen from 2.43 to 3.13.