MLB Player News

Mariners closer Fernando Rodney picked up his 29th save Tuesday, giving up one hit and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning to close out his team's 5-2 win over the Indians.

Rodney has bounced back from giving up two runs in a blown save on July 20, tossing four scoreless innings and only surrendering one hit and one walk in his last four outings. He owns a 2.11 ERA and 48:17 K:BB ratio in 42 2/3 innings.

Red Sox pitcher Rubby De La Rosa was stuck with a loss Tuesday, giving up three earned runs on nine hits and two walks in six innings and striking out just one in his team's 4-2 defeat against the Blue Jays.

De La Rosa (3-4) bounced back from an ugly effort in his last start, but he still took his second straight loss after giving up a solo home run in the second inning and a two-run double in the fourth. He owns a 3.64 ERA and 37:16 K:BB ratio in 54 1/3 innings. De La Rosa is scheduled to face the Cardinals next Tuesday.

Athletics pitcher Jesse Chavez took a step backward on Monday against the Astros in Houston, dropping to 8-7 on the year. The right-hander coughed up six runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five over 5 1/3 innings of a 7-3 defeat.

Chavez has allowed four-plus runs in three of his last six starts. He owns a 3.44 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 119:41 K:BB ratio in 125 2/3 innings. His next start will come Sunday at home against Kansas City.

The Royals have assigned newly acquired pitcher Liam Hendricks to Triple-A Omaha, FOX Sports Kansas City reports. Erik Kratz, who was also acquired in the Danny Valencia trade, will join the big-league team Tuesday. The Royals have also recalled shortstop Christian Colon and designated catcher Brett Hayes for assignment.

The Blue Jays have traded pitcher Liam Hendriks and catcher Erik Kratz to the Royals, according to Sportsnet.ca.

Hendricks went 8-1 with a 2.33 ERA in 18 appearances (16 starts) with Triple-A Buffalo. he was shelled for six runs over 1 2/3 innings in his last major-league start on June 21. Kratz hit .299 with three homers and 17 RBI in 87 at-bats. Kratz is expected to join the big-league team, per SB Nation.

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow indicated earlier this season that young starters such as Dallas Keuchel and Collin McHugh were not going to be used as trade chips because they were too valuable for the team's future. But times have changed, according to Fox Sports.

A shortage of starting pitchers among some contenders could result in strong packages offered for Keuchel and/or McHugh. And the Astros have become open to exploring such a deal.

"We do seem to have an excess of pretty good young starters so we wouldn't rule out anything," Luhnow said. "We'd have to get back a big-league piece, preferably a bat, in a package that makes sense for the future and present."

Both Keuchel and McHugh, however, have cooled off as the weather has heated up. The former is 0-4 in his last six starts with 57 hits allowed in his last 36 2/3 innings. McHugh has lost his last six starts, though a lack of run support has played as big a role in that misery as poor performance.

Angels pitcher Hector Santiago fell two outs shy of a quality start and didn't factor into the decision Sunday at home against the Tigers. The southpaw permitted one run on three hits and no walks while striking out three over 5 1/3 innings of a 2-1 victory.

Santiago has allowed only one run over his last 13 innings of work. He owns a 3.86 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP over 77 innings pitched. It remains to be seen if he'll make another start or move back into the bullpen.

Astros starter Collin McHugh struck out nine, but took the loss Sunday afternoon at home against Miami, dropping to 4-9 on the year. Making his first start back from the disabled list, the right-hander was charged with four runs on seven hits and one walk over 6 1/3 innings of a 4-2 defeat.

McHugh has lost six consecutive decisions. Over his last three starts covering 16 1/3 innings, McHugh has allowed 11 earned runs. He owns a 3.45 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP over 15 starts (88 2/3 innings). He'll look to pick up the pieces and get back on track Friday at home against Toronto.

Twins pitcher Yohan Pino was unable to factor into the decision Sunday afternoon at home against the White Sox. The right-hander pitched well and yielded two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out six over six innings of a 4-3 win.

Pino has permitted two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four starts. he owns a 4.38 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP over seven starts (39 innings). His next start will come Sunday against the White Sox again, this time in Chicago.

White Sox pitcher Scott Carroll was forced out of his outing on Sunday prematurely because of a blister on his hand, according to the Chicago Tribune. Manager Robin Ventura told reporters that the blister was bad enough to take him out of the game.

Carroll settled for a no decision against the Twins, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out four over six innings pitched. He owns a 4.29 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP over 79 2/3 innings of work. If his blister is fully healed, he'll get another crack at the Twins, this time at home on Saturday.