MLB Player News

The Orioles have traded catcher Brian Ward  and relief pitcher Ryan Webb to the Dodgers for pitcher Ben Rowen and catcher Chris O'Brien on Thursday, reports CSNBaltimore.com. The Dodgers will also receive a competitive balance pick from the Orioles.

Ward, who was catching for Triple-A Norfolk, was expected to be an option as a backup catcher with the team prior to the trade. Webb posted an ERA of 6.75 in 6 2/3 innings pitched, giving up eight hits with six strikeouts and two walks this spring.

Rowen finished the spring with a 5.40 ERA, giving up five hits and striking out one batter. O'Brien spent spring training with Double-A Chattanooga in 2014.

Yankees pitcher Dellin Betances surrendered an unearned run on one hit and two walks while working the eighth inning Wednesday but earned the win in his team's 4-3 victory over the Blue Jays.

Betances opened the inning by forcing a groundout but then surrendered a walk and a single to put runners on the corners. After a throwing error brought a run home, Betances issued another walk before recording two more groundouts to escape the inning. The Yankees were able to score three runs in the bottom of the eighth to turn a two-run deficit into a one-run lead, which Andrew Miller protected in the ninth.

Though the results weren't great, Betances was happy that the velocity on his fastball was back Wednesday, NJ.com reports.

"I knew my strength in my arm would come," he said Wednesday. "I knew I would be where I'm at right now. ... Now it's just a matter of being more consistent with my delivery."

Betances and Miller are likely to share the closing role moving forward, but Betances may have to pitch better than he did Wednesday if he wants to keep at least a share of the ninth inning this season.

Rays pitcher Brad Boxberger worked a nearly perfect ninth inning Wednesday to earn his first save of the season in Tampa Bay's 2-0 win over the Orioles.

Boxberger allowed just one hit and struck three in his inning of work. He and the Rays totaled 13 strikeouts of Baltimore hitters in the game. 

Rays pitcher Alex Colome (pneumonia) threw a two-inning simulated game Tuesday and said Wednesday he felt fine, MLB.com reports.

Colome is scheduled to make a minor-league start Saturday. He'll likely make his return to the major-league rotation later this month.

Astros pitcher Josh Fields was able to throw off the mound Wednesday as a part of his rehab stint in Florida and the team hopes to have him throw a simulated game before the end of the week, reports MLB.com.

Fields is battling back from a groin injury that landed him on the 15-day DL to begin the season. 

Red Sox starting pitcher Joe Kelly will not come off the disabled list to start Saturday against the Yankees, as it was announced Wednesday that Steven Wright will take the hill for Boston.

Kelly (biceps) will instead begin a rehab assignment Saturday with Class A Greenville, while closer Koji Uehara (hamstring) will also begin a rehab assignment with Greenville on Saturday.

The Orioles are having ongoing trade discussions involving relief pitchers Brian Matusz and Ryan Webb, FOX Sports reports.

Webb was designated for assignment Monday, so the team is looking to receive something in return for the player after removing him from the 40-man roster. Matusz delivered the best season of his career in 2014, posting a 3.48 ERA and 53:17 K:BB ratio in 51 2/3 innings.

Rays regular starting pitchers Matt Andriese and Erasmo Ramirez will be available out of the bullpen for Tuesday's game against the Orioles, reports the Tampa Bay Times.

Both pitchers are being considered for the back end of the rotation, but manager Kevin Cash has not decided who will start Tampa's fourth game of the season yet.

Mariners pitcher Fernando Rodney made his season debut Monday and picked up his first save of the season.

Rodney came into the ninth inning with a three-run lead and did not surrender a hit during the 4-1 win over the Angels. He did walk one batter, but did not strike anybody out.

Red Sox pitcher Joe Kelly was able to throw 78 pitches during a rehab start Monday, reports the Boston Herald.

Kelly is starting the season on the disabled list with a biceps injury. Manager John Farrell said the team would like Kelly to throw around 95 pitches in an outing before he pitches in a major league game.