MLB Player News

Yankees pitcher Dellin Betances struck out two batters in 1 1/3 perfect innings to earn the win in his team's 2-1 victory over the Tigers Thursday.

Betances (3-0) struggled to open up the season, issuing multiple walks in each of his first three outings. He's since started to round into the form that made him an All-Star last season, manager Joe Girardi incidated after the game, NJ.com reports.

"I mean, he's really starting to," Girardi said. "And I even think it's going to get better. But it was really good today."

Betances hit 97 mph on the radar gun to strike out Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler and end the eighth inning. Despite his early control issues, he has yet to allow an earned run in 9 1/3 innings while racking up 12 strikeouts.

"I feel good. I mean, the confidence is there," Betances said. "I'm making pitches when I need to and I"m just following (catcher Brian) McCann's game plan and trying to help the team win. I feel better the more I pitch and I'm just getting into a good rhythm."

What was anticipated is now set in stone. Athletics right-hander Jesse Hahn has been scratched from his start Thursday against the Angels and will be replaced by namesake Jesse Chavez.

Hahn, who is dealing with a blister on his finger, has been suberb in three starts despite a 1-1 record. He has yielded just four earned runs on 13 hits and three walks in 17 innings. Chavez has yet to surrender a run this season in 6 2/3 innings and has struck out nine.

Yohan Pino has strung together a pair of solid outings, adding more firepower to an already strong Royals' bullpen.

Pino, who was called up from Triple-A Omaha last week, struck out four in three scoreless innings on Wednesday against Minnesota. He has thrown 7 2/3 scoreless innings in two long relief outings.

"The thing that caught my attention in spring is that he's a strike thrower and he's not afraid," manager Ned Yost said, per MLB.com. "I've liked him a lot more now when you see him under this type of competition in the Major Leagues. He's done a really good job for us."

The Astros announced that they have activated reliever Josh Fields from the disabled list. 

Fields has been on the 15-day disabled list with a groin injury. He's been with Triple-A Fresno and threw five times on a rehab assignment. Fields allowed two runs on five hits and four walks in six innings pitched. He's struck out three batters. 

"Josh Fields is a real weapon in the 'pen anytime during the game," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said, per MLB.com. "I told him, he'll be used primarily as a bridge in the middle part of the game. Get a couple outings under his belt, we can move him into a number of roles."

To make room for Fields, the Astros optioned infielder Jonathan Villar to Fresno. In seven games played, Villar has only recorded one hit in 13 at-bats. 

Rays pitcher Brad Boxberger, in relief, earned his first win of the season in Wednesday's 7-5 victory over the Red Sox. 

Boxberger pitched the top of the seventh inning with the game tied at 5-5. He struck out the side and didn't allow a hit or a walk. The Rays then scored two runs in the bottom half of the inning, putting Boxberger in a position to get the win. Boxberger's ERA is now 2.84. 

Steven Geltz pitched the ninth inning and picked up his first save of the season. Geltz gave up a hit but didn't give up a run or a walk. His ERA is now 3.00. 

Red Sox pitcher Joe Kelly was pitching a fine game until the bottom of the sixth inning arrived. 

Kelly, in a no-decision, was credited with four earned runs in the sixth after holding the Rays to just one run in the first five innings. He gave up an RBI single to Allan Dykstra and then walked Logan Forsythe with the bases loaded, scoring Evan Longoria. 

Craig Breslow then relieved Kelly and gave up a two-run single to Brandon Guyer, with those runs going toward Kelly's stat line.

"I didn't get ahead of the hitters," Kelly said after the game, per MLB.com. "I fell behind with my fastball, which was pretty good for me tonight, and that sixth inning, I tried to get too fine with it and fell behind hitters and had to throw it down the middle from then [on]. They put good swings on balls and got some good hits."

In total, Kelly gave up eight hits and one walk. He struck out seven batters and now holds a 4.08 ERA. 

"Didn't have quite the same action through the strike zone with his stuff," manager John Farrell said. "He was in good shape in terms of pitches thrown through five innings. He came out and gave four consecutive base hits and the walk. The sixth inning has become a challenge for our rotation of late."

Kelly's next start is projected for April 27 against the Blue Jays. 

The Astros could activate reliever Josh Fields (groin) off the 15-day disabled list Friday at Oakland, according to the Houston Chronicle. 

Fields has thrown five times on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Fresno, with his latest outing being a two-inning appearance Monday. He has allowed two runs on five hits and four walks in six innings. He has three strikeouts.

Athletics starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz suffered his second loss of the season Tuesday against the Angels. Pomeranz (1-2) allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits and one walk, while striking out six in five-plus innings of a 14-1 loss.

Pomeranz tossed a scoreless first inning before the game started to get away from him in the second inning. He allowed a one-out, three-run homer to Johnny Giavotella. The Angels added a fourth run in the inning on a Marcus Semien fielding error, which allowed Kole Calhoun to score.

Pomeranz settled down after the rough second inning to post three scoreless innings before being lifted after allowing a leadoff double to C.J. Cron in the sixth inning. The Angels would score six times in the sixth inning after Pomeranz left the game.

Pomeranz, who has lost his last two starts, will look to stop his losing streak in his next start Sunday against Houston.

Rays pitcher Alex Colome allowed one run on four hits and struck out six in 3 1/3 innings on a Triple-A rehab assignment Tuesday.

Colome began the season on the 15-day disabled list for pneumonia.

If his evaluation from Tuesday's performace is positive, Colome could rejoin the Rays this week.

Angels starting pitcher Hector Santiago (2-1) gave up one run on three hits in six innings on Tuesday to earn the win against the Athletics.

Santiago's one hiccup was a third-inning home run to A's designated hitter Billy Butler.

Santiago notched eight strikeouts in the victory.

Santiago returns to the mound for his next start on Sunday against the Rangers.