MLB Player News

Rays pitcher Matt Moore was able to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday, manager Kevin Cash said per the Tampa Tribune.

Moore, who is currently on the 60-day DL with an elbow injury, is expected to pitch in an extended spring training game on Saturday as the next step in his rehab. Moore is working his way back from Tommy John surgery after posting a 17-4 record with a 3.29 ERA in 2013. 

Astros manager A.J. Hinch confirmed that closer Luke Gregerson will not be available to pitch on Wednesday against the A's. Gregerson nearly cost the team a win on Tuesday when he gave up two runs in the ninth inning. He was pulled in favor of Pat Neshek who closed out the game and got the save.

Gregerson has appeared in three of the last four games for the Astros and has given up two runs in two of those performances. 

Hinch indicated that Neshek, Chad Qualls, Tony Sipp and Josh Fields are all options to close if a save is needed on Wednesday, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Rays right-hander Kirby Yates, who is dealing with a strained right pectoral, is scheduled to throw off the mound Wednesday for the first time since going on the disabled list April 15, per the Tampa Tribune.

Yates pitched in four games for Tampa Bay early in the year before his demotion to the minors.

Athletics lefty starter Drew Pomeranz is reportedly heading to the disabled list on Wednesday. Pomeranz exited his start on Monday with shoulder tightness, and was able to play catch on Tuesday.

The issue was thought to have been minor originally, but clearly the team saw something they didn't like and opted to place him on the DL.

The team will recall right-hander Arnold Leon according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Arnold was up earlier this season and pitched one inning in relief. He's made five starts at Triple-A this year and has a 4.26 ERA with 30 strike outs and nine walks over 25 1/3 innings. However, he will pitch out of the bullpen now with the A's, according to the Bay Area News Group.

Angels pitcher Hector Santiago allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits in seven innings of work in Los Angeles' 3-2 win over the Blue Jays on Tuesday.

Santiago allowed a leadoff home run to Josh Donaldson in the first inning, but settled down and did not have another issue until the fifth. Santiago allowed the leadoff hitter to reach on a throwing error, who then scored on a sacrifice fly.

"Santiago was really good," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said, per MLB.com. "He was picking the plate apart pretty good, he was pounding that inside corner and he was painting it pretty good."

Santiago, now 3-2, moved his ERA to 2.25 in 48 innings of work. He will look to keep rolling Sunday against the Red Sox.

After using Jake McGee in the eighth inning, Rays manager opted to roll with Brad Boxberger in the ninth inning for his 11th save of the season Tuesday night in Atlanta.

Boxberger struck out one and needed only 15 pitches (11 strikes) to retire the side in order and secure a 5-3 victory. He has converted all 11 of his save chances, with a 1.20 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP over 15 innings pitched this season.

Athletics left-hander Drew Pomeranz played catch on Tuesday after leaving Monday's start with tightness in his left shoulder. Pomeranz said he felt some "normal soreness" which he expected, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The team has not confirmed if Pomeranz will be forced to miss his next start, but it does not appear this injury as all too serious at this time.

"We're going to have him looked at," manager Bob Melvin said to Bay Area News Group. "We'll probably make a decision on where we are tomorrow. Obviously there’s a chance he will go on the DL.

"This is something that’s been going on for a while, and we don't want it to continue to go on, but we haven’t made a definitive decision."

Reliever Jake McGee's stint on the disabled list for the season's first six weeks allowed Brad Boxberger to step in and assume the Rays' closer role, which he's excelled in with a 10-for-10 save record thus far, reports the Tampa Tribune.

“Boxer will be closing for a long time,” Rays reliever Kevin Jepsen said. “It fits him. That’s what he is. He’s a closer.”

With McGee's recent return from the DL, Boxberger said he wants to remain as the team's fireman.

“Absolutely,” Boxberger said. “I’m comfortable there right now. I feel like I’ve done a pretty good job there in that role, but with McGee coming back and everything he’s done, it will be interesting to see what they’re going to do.”

McGee led the Rays last year with 19 saves.

Athletics pitcher Drew Pomeranz was forced to leave Monday night's game against the Astros due to left shoulder tightness, according to the Bay Area News Group. 

The injury occurred in the fifth inning with Pomeranz being checked on by manager Bob Melvin and a trainer. He was in the middle of an at-bat against Evan Gattis. Edward Mujica came into the game to relieve Pomeranz. After the game, Pomeranz said, via MLB.com, that the shoulder injury is the same AC joint problem he's had before. 

He said, via MLB.com, that it's an injury that generally isn't serious. 

Pomeranz's night ended with one earned run allowed, two hits, five walks and two strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings. 

Pomeranz now has a 4.40 ERA but got a no-decision since he left the game too early. Mujica picked up the win and is now 2-1. 

Pomeranz's next scheduled start is for Saturday against Rays. 

Rays pitcher Matt Moore threw 31 pitches in a simulated game in Port Charlotte on Monday, recording three strikeouts, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Moore will throw a bullpen session Wednesday before the team decides whether to schedule him for another simulated game or to pitch him in extended spring training. If he continues to progress without issues, he should begin a rehab assignment next week. Moore made just two starts last season before being shelved due to Tommy John surgery.