MLB Player News

Mariners reliever Carson Smith will remain manager Lloyd McClendon's top choice to close out games. However, it appears Fernando Rodney might be closer to regaining the ninth-inning role after throwing three straight scoreless outings.

“Obviously, Carson has done a nice job,” McClendon said Wednesday, per The News Tribune. “I’ve said all along the biggest question with Carson is the ability to go back-to-back and, sometimes, back-to-back-to-back (or) three out of five.

“I will say this: Probably on days when Smith can not go, you might see Rodney or a combination of Rodney and somebody else.”

McClendon is really pleased to see Rodney getting on track.

“A lot of ground balls,” McClendon said. “A lot of strikes. Adding and subtracting from the fastball. Slowing down and letting the arm catch up. He’s close.

“Listen, we need Fernando Rodney if we’re going to be successful this year. I think he’s well on his way back to being that pitcher that we all want him to be. When he’s hitting his spots, he can get easy outs.”

Athletics pitcher Jesse Chavez allowed only one earned run in Wednesday's 16-2 blowout win over the Padres. 

Chavez went seven innings and only surrendered three hits. It was a stellar performance for Chavez, who now has held teams to one earned run or less in five games. Chavez struck out 11 Padres batters and walked one. 

Chavez now has a 2.52 ERA for the season. 

His next start is projected for June 23 against the Rangers. 

Mariners reliever Carson Smith picked up his third save of the season in Wednesday night's 2-0 victory over the Giants. 

Smith entered the game and recorded the game's final out to pick up the save. Charlie Furbush recorded the first two outs of the final frame of the game. Smith now has an ERA of 1.65. 

Angels pitcher Hector Santiago gave up three earned runs in Wednesday night's 3-2 loss to the Diamondbacks. 

Despite the loss and the three runs, Santiago had a solid game. He struck out nine batters and walked only two. He allowed seven hits in the outing. Santiago now has an ERA of 2.77 and is 4-4 this season. 

Santiago's next start is projected for June 22 against the Astros. 

Yankees relief pitcher Dellin Betances posted his fourth save of the year in Wednesday night's 2-1 victory over the Marlins. 

Betances entered the game in the eighth and went 1 2/3 innings. Betances struck out two batters, walked one and allowed one hit. He has an 0.26 ERA this season, having only allowed one earned run in 35 total innings. 

Rays pitcher Alex Colome struggled throughout Tuesday's start, which the Rays lost 16-4 to the Nationals.

Colome allowed six runs on seven hits over just two innings of work Tuesday. He struck out two and walked three. He also gave up a solo home run to Clint Robinson in the second inning.

Prior to Tuesday's outing, Colome had allowed a total of two runs in his last two starts. He is now winless in his last five starts and his ERA is 5.14. His next expected start is scheduled for Sunday at Cleveland.

Rays left-hander Matt Moore threw 78 pitches in his third rehab start with Class A Tampa on Tuesday. Moore went 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits. He struck out three and did not issue a walk. He gave up one home run and hit a batter, with 49 of his pitches going for strikes.

The two earned runs were the first that Moore gave up in his current rehab stint. He is expected to move his rehab to Triple-A Durham for his next start, according to the Tampa Tribune. Though that has not been officially announced by the team yet. 

Rays pitchers Jake Odorizzi (oblique) and Andrew Bellatti (shoulder) played catch Monday, according to The Tampa Tribune. They made 35 throws from 75 feet and are scheduled to play catch again Tuesday.

Twins pitcher Trevor May allowed three earned runs in Monday night's 3-2 loss against the Cardinals. 

After striking out 28 in his past four games combined, May only struck out three against Minnesota. May surrendered five hits, allowed one walk and lasted five innings. The loss drops May to 4-5 this year. 

May now holds an ERA of 4.26 this season. 

His next start is projected for Saturday against the Cubs. 

Rays pitcher Matt Moore was scheduled to make a minor league rehab start at Class A Port Charlotte on Monday. Mother Nature had other ideas, however. 

After heavy rains all afternoon, the Rays decided to hold off and have Moore start on Tuesday instead, per TBO.com.

Moore has been on the disabled list all season with an elbow injury.