MLB Player News

White Sox closer David Robertson pitched a perfect ninth to pick up his 19th save of the year, Friday against the Cubs. 

Robertson struck out two and turned in his fourth straight perfect outing. He converted his sixth straight save opportunity. 

Mariners relief pitcher Carson Smith might have earned the easiest save of his career on Thursday against the Angels.

Smith threw two pitches, both for strikes, and recorded the final out of a 7-2 victory. He earned his sixth save of the season in the process.

Smith ahs a 1.78 ERA in 35 1/3 innings of relief this season.

The Mariners recalled right-handed reliever Danny Farquhar from Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday. Farquhar made 22 relief appearances with the Mariners before heading down to the minor leagues on June 14.

In seven games with Tacoma since his demotion, Farquhar posted a 2.61 ERA in 10 1/3 innings of work.

In a corresponding move, the club optioned right-hander Mayckol Guaipe to Tacoma.

Shane Greene will start Sunday's game against the Twins, the Tigers announced Thursday. Detroit went with Greene over Buck Farmer, who was recalled following Tuesday's game.

Green was sent to Triple-A on June 12 and has a 1-1 record with an impressive 3.42 ERA.

"He's been working hard down there," manager Brad Ausmus said, per MLB.com. "No one wants to get sent down to Triple-A from the big leagues. I've never met anyone that's happy about that move."

Athletics pitcher Jesse Chavez struggled during his start Thursday against the Yankees, which the A's lost 6-2.

Chavez allowed four runs on seven hits over five innings of work. He also walked three and struck out three. He surrendered a solo home run to Brett Gardner in the first inning. Chavez is now 4-9 with a 3.40 ERA.

"I thought his stuff was pretty good, but he was just missing, just off the corner a couple times," manager Bob Melvin said, per MLB.com. "It looked like he had decent movement, and then when he came onto the plate a little bit more, they got better swings out of them."

Chavez is now winless in his last three starts. He has not earned a quality start in his last four starts during his personal three-game losing streak.

The Indians placed reliever Nick Hagadone on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday due to a lower back strain. The move is retroactive to July 7.

To take his spot on the roster, reliever Kyle Crockett was recalled from Triple-A Columbus.

Tigers pitchers Buck Farmer and Shane Greene are the two options to start Sunday's game against the Twins, manager Brad Ausmus said Wednesday. 

Greene is scheduled to start Wednesday for Triple-A Toledo and his availability for Sunday will depend on how many innings he throws, per Ausmus.

Farmer was recalled from the minors following Tuesday's loss to Seattle. He could be used out of the bullpen, if he is not chosen to start Sunday.

Astros manager A.J. Hinch made some changes to his rotation plans leading up to the All-Star break. 

Brett Oberholtzer will be recalled from Triple-A Fresno to start Thursday against the Indians.

Lance McCullers, who was scheduled to start Friday against the Rays, has been pushed back to Sunday's series finale. Collin McHugh will now start Friday's series opener and be followed by Dallas Keuchel on Saturday.

Vincent Velasquez was optioned to the minors following his start Tuesday, so he can rest during the All-Star break.

The Tigers right-hander Buck Farmer was recalled from Triple-A Toledo following Tuesday's loss to the Mariners. Farmer has made two starts for the Tigers this year, going 0-2 with a 10.45 ERA. 

Farmer could be used as a starter on Sunday, or he might be used in relief out of the bullpen leading up to the All-Star Break. 

He is taking the roster spot of Kyle Ryan, who was optioned to Toledo following his start on Tuesday, according to MLive.com. Ryan allowed five runs in 2 2/3 innings in the 7-6 loss on Tuesday.

The Rays recalled Andrew Bellatti from his rehab assignment in the minor leagues after Tuesday's game, reports The Tampa Tribune. Bellatti has been out since June 5 with soreness in his shoulder.

To make room for Bellatti, the team designated pitcher Everett Teaford for assignment. Teaford pitched in both games of the doubleheader Tuesday and allowed one hit over 1 1/3 innings of work.