MLB Player News

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon remains unwavering in his belief in closer Fernando Rodney, reports The News Tribune.

Rodney came in Sunday in a non-save situation and surrendered four runs on four hits before the Mariners came back in the 10th to pick up the win. McClendon will continue to use Rodney even in non-save situations in the ninth,

"I did it a lot last year," he said, "and I'll do it every time this year. I'll tell you this, you're a fool if you don't put your closer in with a four-run lead.

"Because what happens is, you send somebody (else) out there, and somebody gets on base, then you've burned two guys because you you didn’t use your closer."

If the situation presents itself again Monday, McClendon plans to trot him back out there.

"Everybody flies off the handle when a guy blows a game, but I can't do that. Somebody has to keep their head. I choose to keep mine. So (Rodney) will be back out there tomorrow. Trust me."

Mariners pitcher Yoervis Medina worked one perfect inning Sunday in the 10th inning, leading to his first save of the season in Seattle's 8-7 win over the Athletics.

Medina came on in the 10th for Fernando Rodney, who blew the save in the ninth but finished with a win. Rodney gave up four runs on four hits with two walks in his inning of work.

Medina needed just 12 pitches to wrap up the game in the 10th, including one strikeout.

Astros pitcher Josh Fields could return to the club this coming week after dealing with a groin injury, reports MLB.com.

Fields, who began the year on the 15-day DL, is expected to throw on two consecutive days this week before manager A.J. Hinch brings him up.

"This is just like the end of spring training for him," Hinch said. "We wanted all of our guys to go back to back and be able to pitch in their roles they're going to pitch in during the season. He's going to finish that with a couple of more outings.

"He's on our team when he's ready physically and pitching well," Hinch said. "Hopefully, we have a good problem where we have too many guys who are throwing well, but Josh will be back when he's healthy and ready."

David Robertson did not get a save Sunday, as he entered the White Sox's 6-2 victory in the ninth inning of a non-save situation, but he was happy to record a 1-2-3 inning, per MLB.com.

Roberston threw just 11 pitches, eight of them for strikes, to close out the game. He struck out his fifth batter of the season and has only allowed one hit and one walk on the season. 

"Obviously it ran through my head a couple times in spring, I was like, 'Oh, I better start throwing a little better because they want to see they're getting something good for what they paid for,' " Robertson said. "It was just a matter of time, just letting those spring training outings blow by and get to the real games."

The Rays have named pitcher Matt Andriese as the starter for Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Andriese made his season debut out of the bullpen Friday, striking out one and walking one in a scoreless inning of work. He'll square off with the Blue Jays on short rest.

Rays pitcher Alex Colome allowed three hits in three scoreless innings while striking out one and walking none in his rehab debut with high Class A Charlotte Saturday.

Colome is on the disabled list while recovering from pneumonia. Manager Kevin Cash said that he got through the outing fine and will make another rehab start Thursday, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He is expected to make his return to the major-league rotation later this month.

Astros pitcher Josh Fields tossed one inning with one run allowed on no hits in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Fresno Saturday. Fields also walked one batter and did not record a strikeout against four hitters.

Fields is working his way back from a groin injury that landed him on the 15-day DL.

Mariners closer Fernando Rodney pitched a perfect ninth inning for his second save of the season. 

Rodney pitched the bottom of the eleventh after the Mariners took a 5-4 lead over the Athletics in the top of the inning. He threw 11 pitches, eight strikes and fanned one batter. 

Reliever Carson Smith suffered a blown save in the eighth inning of the Mariners' win on Saturday. 

Smith entered the game with one out and the tying run on third. After striking out pinch hitter Ike Davis, he gave up a game-tying double to Brett Lawrie. 

Smith allowed one hit and one walk in an inning and two thirds. He didn't have a run charged against him and struck out three. 

Rays relief pitcher Brad Boxberger earned his second save of the season in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Marlins. After surrendering the game-winning hit Friday, Boxberger bounced back strong, with one strikeout and a walk in his inning of work.

Boxberger now has an ERA of 2.70 with six strikeouts and one walk in three appearances.