MLB Player News

The Athletics announced their post-All-Star-break rotation plans Sunday. Jeff Samardzija has drawn the first start of the second half Friday vs. Baltimore.

Jason Hammel will pitch the second game of the Baltimore series and Sonny Gray will finish off the three-game set. Scott Kazmir will then pitch the opener of a series against Houston July 22. He will be followed by Jesse Chavez before the rotation resets.

Athletics pitcher Drew Pomeranz (hand) was activated off the 15-day disabled list and then optioned to Triple-A Sacramento Sunday. The A's did not have a rotation spot for Pomeranz after trading for Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel.

The Red Sox announced Clay Buchholz will be on the mound for the team's second-half opener Friday vs. Kansas City. He will be followed in the three-game series by Rubby De La Rosa and Jon Lester.

John Lackey will then open a series at Toronto July 21. He will be followed by Jake Peavy before the rotation resets.

It appears for the time being that Brandon Workman will remain in the minors. He was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket Wednesday in order to clear a roster spot for De La Rosa.

White Sox pitcher Scott Carroll, who left Saturday's start after five innings, said he'll ready to pitch after the All-Star break, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. Carroll threw five scoreless innings before deyhdration caused his hamstrings and lower back to stiffen up.

He has a scoreless streak of 11 2/3 innings.

Athletics pitcher Jesse Chavez (7-6) fell one out shy of quality start in a loss to the Mariners in Seattle Saturday night. The right-hander yielded three runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out six over 5 2/3 innings of a 6-2 defeat.

Chavez has dropped two of his last three starts heading into the break. He owns a 3.14 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP over 19 starts (114 2/3 innings). His next start will come after the All-Star break, though the A's have yet to announce their upcoming pitching plans.

Athletics pitcher Drew Pomeranz (hand) began a minor-league rehab assignment Saturday afternoon with Triple-A Sacramento.

Pomeranz allowed one run on one hit and no walks while striking out seven over four innings of work. His only damage was a home run to Garrett Weber. It remains to be seen how many starts he'll need before he returns from the disabled list.

Mariners closer Fernando Rodney was a late addition to the American League roster for the All-Star Game, according to the Tacoma News Tribune on Saturday. Rodney will replaced David Price's spot on the roster. Rodney is 27 for 29 in save chances, with a 1.98 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP over 36 1/3 innings of relief.

Rangers pitcher Nick Martinez threw long toss in the outfield prior to Saturday's game against the Angels. Martinez, who is on the disabled list with a strained muscle in his left side, is expected to throw his first bullpen next weekend in Toronto, MLB.com reports.

Yankees closer David Robertson closed out his 23rd save of the season Saturday afternoon against the Orioles in Baltimore.

Robertson struck out two and needed only 11 pitches to retire the side in order to secure a 3-0 victory.He is 23 for 25 in save chances, with a 2.76 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP over 32 2/3 innings of relief.

White Sox pitcher Scott Carroll tossed five scoreless innings Saturday against the Indians, but had to leave the start due to lower back stiffness.

Carroll finished five innings without trouble, allowing just two hits and no walks while allowing no runs. He struck out three batters and threw 43 of 78 pitches for strikes, but did not come out for the sixth inning, with the team announcing he has lower back stiffness.

Carroll left with a 3-0 lead and will get the win if the bullpen can hold on to it, which would improve his record to 4-5. He lowered his ERA to 4.19 and has the All-Star break with which to heal before he has to make his next start.