MLB Player News

Mariners reliever Carson Smith earned his ninth save of the year, all in the last nine attempts, with a perfect ninth inning against Toronto on Friday. 

Smith had his first perfect one-inning outing since July 6. He struck out one and protected a three-run lead. 

The Indians recalled first baseman Jesus Aguilar from Triple-A Columbus on Friday. To clear a roster spot, pitcher Kyle Crockett was optioned to Columbus.

Aguilar is in the lineup at first base and batting seventh Friday night against the visiting White Sox.

Athletics reliever Pat Venditte began his rehab assignment with Class A Stockton on Thursday. The switch-pitcher gave up two hits, including a solo home run over one inning of work. He threw 16 pitches (10 strikes), all right-handed.

Venditte has been on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain since June 12. There is currently no timetable for his return to the bullpen for the A's. 

Two pitches, two outs, first career save. That was the pleasant scenario for Blue Jays right-hander Bo Schultz in Oakland on Thursday.

Schultz entered with one out and one on and induced Ike Davis to hit into a double play.

He could receive further consideration on a team still searching for a steady closer. Schultz has allowed just 16 hits and six walks in 25 2/3 innings this season.

The Athletics turned to Drew Pomeranz to start Thursday against Toronto after felly southpaw Scott Kazmir was traded. By the second inning, they might have wished they had turned elsewhere.

They didn't give Pomeranz much of a chance, however. He walked one and fanned three in the first, then allowed a two-run homer to Russell Martin with none out in the second. He threw just 44 pitches before getting taken out. He received a no-decision.

Pomeranz was making his first start since May 18, which explains the short leash.

The Athletics will turn to pitcher Drew Pomeranz to start Thursday's game against the Blue Jays, reports MLB.com.

Scott Kazmir was the scheduled starter for Thursday's contest, but he was traded to the Astros. Pomeranz has started eight games this season and is 4-3 with a 3.58 ERA over 60 1/3 innings.

Manager Bob Melvin said Pomeranz will likely remain in the starting rotation moving forward. 

White Sox pitcher David Robertson surrendered a triple to Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina in the eighth inning, which scored three runs in the 3-2 loss to the Cardinals.

It was his fifth blown save of the season. Robertson entered with the bases loaded and gave up the triple. He gave up one hit in 1 1/3 innings of work. 

Astros starter Collin McHugh will need plenty of luck and run support to reach 20 wins this season, but that remained a possibility after he snagged his 11th Wednesday against Boston.

McHugh allowed just two runs on seven hits in seven innings with one walk and four strikeouts. He blanked the Red Sox through five before giving up run-scoring hits to Dustin Pedroia and Xander Bogaerts in the sixth.

The right-hander has certainly learned the value of a stronger offense in 2015. He finished last year 11-9 with a 2.73 ERA. He is 11-5 this season with a 4.25 ERA.

The Red Sox demoted pitcher Brian Johnson to Triple-A on Wednesday, reports the Boston Herald. Johnson went 0-1 with a 8.31 ERA in 4 1/3 innings of work.

Brad Boxberger is certainly on the list of closers that have struggled in non-save situations, as his six defeats attest. The Rays right-hander did not do the job Wednesday against the host Phillies.

Boxberger entered in the 10th inning and immediately surrendered a single to Domonic Brown. He retired the next two, but pinch-hitter Odubel Herrera hit a walk-off single to hand Boxberger the loss and raise his ERA to 3.18.