MLB Player News

Athletics pitcher Pat Venditte is returning to Oakland from his Triple-A rehab assignment, per the San Francisco Chronicle.

Venditte is on the 15-day disabled list with a shoulder injury. He's expected to be activated on Monday. 

Athletics relief pitcher Pat Venditte played in a rehab game for Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

Venditte tossed 2/3 of an inning and allowed one hit. He is currently on the 15-day disabled list with a shoulder injury.

Mariners reliever Carson Smith recorded his fifth blown save of the season in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Twins. With the Mariners leading by one, Smith gave up a double to leadoff the ninth inning. 

He was able to retire the next batter on a strikeout, but then uncorked a wild pitch moving the runner to third. After getting the second out, he issued an intentional walk before throwing yet another wild pitch, allowing the tying run to score. Finally, Kurt Suzuki singled in the winning run, giving Smith the blown save and the loss.

Smith (1-5) has picked up a loss in three straight appearances, allowing five earned runs in those games. Nevertheless, manager Lloyd McClendon appears committed to Smith as his closer, claiming the rookie right-hander would get the ball in a possible save chance on Sunday, according to the Tacoma News Tribune. 

Red Sox starter Joe Kelly earned a win over Tampa Bay on Saturday, getting his first victory since June 6.

Kelly went 0-2 with three no-decisions and a stint in the minors since his last win. 

Kelly gave up five runs in five innings, the fourth straight start he's given up four earned runs or more. He gave up a season-high nine hits.

Rays pitcher Matt Moore dropped to 1-4 on the season with his third straight loss, Saturday against Boston. 

Moore gave up a season-high six runs on a season-high nine hits, over a season-low three innings. 

Moore has given up 15 runs over his last three starts, lasting a total of 12 2/3 innings. 

Angels starting pitcher Hector Santiago gave up five runs on nine hits in a loss to the Dodgers on Friday.

Santiago gave up two home runs in the loss. He drops to 7-5 on the season with a 2.70 ERA.

Athletics starting pitcher Kendall Graveman struck out six batters in a no-decision on Friday against the Indians.

Graveman (6-7) gave up one run on five hits in 6 2/3 innings of work. He walked two batters, but his command was crisp throughout the game.

Graveman now has a 3.84 ERA this year.

Rangers pitcher Nick Martinez improved to 6-6 with a win, Friday, over San Francisco. 

Martinez snapped a six game winless streak, getting his first victory since June 9. He's 0-4 with two no-decisions over that span. 

Martinez allowed two runs on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings, the sixth time in the last eight starts he's gone six innings or more. 

Making his third start--and fourth appearance--of the year, Tigers right-hander Buck Farmer had a tough time against the Orioles on Friday. Farmer gave up four runs (three earned) on six hits over 4 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out one, needing 75 pitches, unable to get out of the fifth inning.

Farmer, who was given a 6-0 lead after four innings, gave up a run in the fourth before allowing a three-run home run to Adam Jones in the fifth. That was the knockout blow, as Farmer was lifted after that pitch.

The Orioles would go on to score another run in the fifth and three more in the six, topping the Tigers 8-7. Farmer did not factor in the decision.

The young left-hander has given up a total of 15 earned runs over his three starts, and has a hefty 8.50 ERA overall this season.

The Phillies and Rangers finally completed their blockbuster trade Friday.

The Rangers will receive starting pitcher Cole Hamels, reliever Jake Diekman and cash considerations in exchange for starting pitcher Matt Harrison, outfield prospect Nick Williams, catcher prospect Jorge Alfaro, starting pitcher prospect Jake Thompson, starting pitcher prospect Alec Asher and starting pitcher prospect Jerad Eickhoff.

The 31-year-old Hamels, who will make his Texas debut Saturday against the Giants, has compiled a 114-90 record, 3.30 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 10 seasons in the majors -- all with the Phillies. The three-time All-Star is under contract through 2018 on a seven-year, $159 million deal. He also has a $20 million option ($6 million buyout) for 2019.

The 28-year-old Diekman is in his fourth MLB season. He has compiled a 9-11 record, 3.84 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 191 career relief appearances for Philadelphia. He is striking out 11.7 batters per nine innings.