MLB Player News

Rangers pitcher Nick Martinez allowed one run on five hits in five innings of work in Texas' 5-1 win over the Indians on Sunday.

Martinez, who struck out six, only had one blemish on the day. He allowed the first three hitters in the fifth inning to reach base safely, including a Michael Brantley RBI double to center, scoring a run. After that, Martinez settled in and finished off his last inning of work.

Martinez, now 3-0 lowered his ERA to 1.88 in 48 innings of work. He will look to keep rolling Saturday against the Yankees.

Astros pitcher Collin McHugh allowed two runs on six hits in seven innings of work in Houston's 4-2 win over the Blue Jays on Sunday.

McHugh worked efficiently through the first two innings. Then in the third, McHugh surrendered a lead off double to Steve Tolleson, who was sacrificed to third before Jose Bautista hit a sac fly to left to bring home a run. Then in the fourth, McHugh gave up another run on a second sac fly, this time via Ryan Goins. 

"It was tough from the get-go," McHugh said to MLB.com. "I felt like they had guys on base every inning. But overall we battled today."

McHugh, now 5-1, moved his ERA to 3.38 in 50 2/3 innings of work. He will look to keep rolling Friday against the Tigers.

"That leadoff batter, we had a hard time getting them out in the early part of the game," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "But [McHugh] missed bats when he needed to, and he managed innings the way you're supposed to when you're controlling damage.

"A really effective outing with all his pitches working at different times of the game. I was impressed with his perseverance through the traffic."

Blue Jays reliever Aaron Loup is available to pitch after a day's rest. 

Loup's back "locked up" during an appearance Friday, per the Toronto Star. He wasn't available on Saturday, but he said he had a realignment and felt better. 

White Sox closer David Robertson worked a perfect 1 1/3 innings in Chicago's 4-3 win over the Athletics on Saturday, earning his eighth save of the season.

Robertson needed 18 pitches to get through the ninth inning, but did not allow a hit. Robertson lowered his ERA to 1.10 in 16 1/3 innings of work.

In his shortest outing of the season, Rays starter Alex Colome was knocked around for three runs on six hits in 3 1/3 innings Saturday for a no-decision against the Twins.

Colome surrendered all three runs in the second inning on an RBI single from Eddie Rosario and a two-run hit from Danny Santana.

After posting an ERA of 1.80 after his first two starts, Colome's ERA now stands at 6.05 after his previous two.

Colome's next start is set for Friday against the Athletics.

Rays right-hander Andrew Bellatti received praise from Kevin Cash after pitching three scoreless innings in his major league debut Monday.

He has not pitched since. And on Saturday, he was optioned out to make room for veteran utility infielder Nick Franklin, the Tampa Bay Times has reported.

Franklin has been activated after spending time on the disabled list with an oblique strain. He has been out all season.

Twins starting pitcher Trevor May allowed three runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings on Saturday for a no-decision against the Rays.

Two of the three runs off May came via a two-run homer from Tim Beckham.

May fanned three and did not walk a batter.

May returns to the mound for his next start Saturday, May 23, in Chicago against the White Sox.

Rays lefty Matt Moore, who is coming off Tommy John surgery, threw a bullpen session Friday after what he considered a disappointing simulated game two days earlier, per the Tampa Bay Times.

A batting practice/simulated game is set for Monday. If all goes well, he will move on to extended spring training and rehab assignment. A return to the Tampa Bay rotation is not expected for at least another month.

Moore hasn't pitched in a big-league game since last April.

The Athletics have activated lefty Sean Nolin off the disabled list and optioned him to Triple-A Nashville, the San Francisco Chronicle has reported.

Nolin pitched three scoreless innings in his lone rehab start for the Sounds after recuperating from a hernia. The 25 year old has pitched in just one major league game.