MLB Player News

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said that "something's not right" with pitcher Danny Farquhar after he gave up three runs (one earned) on one hit and two walks while recording just one out in an 11-4 loss to the Padres, MLB.com reports.

"If I had to say I had one set guy for the eighth inning, it's probably more (Carson) Smith than anybody," McClendon said. "So it doesn't really change that. But it certainly limits our flexibility a little because Danny is so good at getting left-handers out as well. We need to get him back on track. He's just so vital to our success, we've got to get him right."

The manager indicated he wasn't scared of using Farquhar in tight situations while he tries to ride out his issues on the mound.

"I think the biggest thing is to get him back out there and let him pitch," McClendon said. "It's hard to straighten him out when he's not pitching. Obviously you'd like to have it in a lower-leverage situation right now, but if the matchup calls for it, I wouldn't be afraid to put him in late in games."

Farquhar believes his lack of command is the most obvious symptom of his struggles.

"I would say my cutter is not where I want it to be," he said. "The last couple years I could locate my cutter in, out, up, down. Do whatever I wanted with it. Right now it's not pinpoint. I think that's definitely a starting point. That's my bread-and-butter pitch, so I think everything works off that. Once I get that going, I think I'll be rolling."

Farquhar owns a 5.63 ERA and 13:7 K:BB ratio in 16 innings.

Rays closer Brad Boxberger worked a perfect ninth inning in Tampa Bay's 3-2 win over the Yankees on Wednesday, earning his 10th save of the season. 

Boxberger needed just 13 pitches to finish things off in the ninth, including a strike out of Alex Rodriguez to slam the door. Boxberger lowered his ERA to 1.29 in 14 innings of work with 20 strikeouts and six walks on the year.

Athletics pitcher Drew Pomeranz allowed two runs in Wednesday evening's 9-2 win over the Red Sox. 

Pomeranz pitched seven innings and allowed four hits and struck out three batters. He did not give up a walk during his time in the game. Pomeranz now has a 4.66 ERA for the season. The win improves Pomeranz's season to 2-3. 

Rangers pitcher Nick Martinez gave up four runs — three earned — in Tuesday night's 7-6 loss to the Royals in 10 innings. 

Martinez earned a no-decision in the game after going 6 1/3 innings. He struck out four batters and walked one. He now has a 1.88 ERA. 

With the game going into extra innings, Stolmy Pimentel earned the loss.

After allowing one earned run in his first four starts, Martinez has now given up 8 earned runs in his past three. 

Martinez's next start is projected for Sunday against the Indians. 

White Sox closer David Robertson, who blew a save on Sunday, struck out two and needed only 13 pitches to retire the side in order to close out 4-2 victory over Milwaukee on Tuesday. Robertson has converted six of seven save chances, with a 0.64 ERA and a 0.71 WHIP over 14 innings pitched.

Astros pitcher Collin McHugh took a step back with a rough outing, suffering his first loss of the season Tuesday night against San Francisco.

McHugh (4-1) allowed a bases-clearing double to Matt Duffy in the second inning and was charged with four unearned runs in the fifth. He yielded seven runs -- three earned -- on seven hits and two walks while striking out three over 4 2/3 innings of work in an 8-1 defeat. Of his 91 pitches, 55 were strikes.

McHugh has allowed 13 runs -- nine earned -- over his last three starts (19 innings). He will look to get back on track Sunday afternoon at home against Toronto.

Rays closer Brad Boxberger earned his ninth save of the season in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Yankees. 

Boxberger faced four batters and gave up one hit. All three outs Boxberger recorded were pop-outs to the outfield. Boxberger hasn't allowed an earned run since an appearance made on April 16. 

Boxberger now has a 1.50 ERA. 

Rays pitcher Kirby Yates moved back 15 feet on Tuesday and is now throwing from 90 feet. 

Yates is on the 15-day disabled list with a pectoral strain. He made 10 throws from 90 feet, a day after throwing from 75. He said the area is starting to feel healthier, per MLB.com. 

Rays pitcher Matt Moore (elbow) will throw a simulated game Wednesday, The Tampa Tribune reports.

If all goes well, Moore will be scheduled for one more simulated game before heading out on a rehab assignment. He's on the 60-day disabled list while recovering from Tommy John surgery and could be looking at a return in the next few weeks if everything continues to go well.

The Royals have recalled right-hander Aaron Brooks from Triple-A Omaha, and optioned pitcher Yohan Pino, the team announced Tuesday.

Brooks will be making his season-debut after making six appearances (five starts) for the Storm Chasers. In those six games, Brooks went 2-3 with a 3.51 ERA and an impressive 35:9 K:BB ratio over 33 1/3 innings.

This marks the second time in less than a month that Pino has been demoted to Triple-A. He was recalled on April 19. The team sent him back down on May 5 and called him back up three days later. Overall, the right-hander has made six appearances out of the Royals' bullpen, allowing just a single earned run (a home run) over 14 innings pitched.