MLB Player News

The Angels will recall pitcher Hector Santiago from Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday to make the start in place of Tyler Skaggs, according to the Orange County Register. Santiago went 0-6 with a 4.82 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP in nine appearances (sevens starts).

Mariners closer Fernando Rodney earned his 18th save in 20 opportunities, closing out Monday's 3-0 win over the Rays. Rodney tossed a perfect ninth inning and has a 2.19 ERA over 24 2/3 innings.

Astros pitcher Collin McHugh did not pitch well on Sunday against the Twins, but managed to escape with a no-decision in his team's 15-5 win. The right-hander surrendered three earned runs on three hits and five walks while striking out six in 4 1/3 innings of work.

Over his last three starts covering 16 1/3 innings, McHugh has allowed three earned runs. He owns a 2.82 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP through nine starts (54 1/3 innings). He will look to get back on track Friday at home against Tampa Bay.

Mariners closer Fernando Rodney made quick work of his former team on Saturday, striking out one and needing just eight pitches to retire the side in order against the Rays for the save. He has converted six consecutive save chances. He is 17 for 19 in save opportunities with a 2.28 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP in 23 2/3 innings of relief.

Terry Francona said Saturday that the goal remains to work deposed Indians closer John Axford back into that role, per MLB.com. He added that others are performing better in the ninth inning at this time.

He is likely referring specifically to Cody Allen, who has thrived as a closer in recent weeks. Allen has nailed down his last four save opportunities without giving up a hit and walking just one. Francona is still claiming a closer-by-committee approach, but Allen has been used in all save situations of late.

Axford has bounced back as a short reliever after getting bounced out as closer. He has surrendered just one earned run in his last 10 appearances.

Rays pitcher Kirby Yates is on his way up Saturday, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Yates will take the spot of Josh Lueke, who was designated for assignment. Yates posted a 0.36 ERA over 25 innings in Triple-A. 

Yankees reliever David Robertson endured a shaky outing but managed to escape with the save Friday night against the Royals in Kansas City.

Robertson allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two in a scoreless inning of work in a 4-2 victory. He owns a 3.86 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP in 21 innings of relief.

Red Sox starting pitcher Rubby De La Rosa took a step back on Friday against the Tigers in Detroit, dropping to 1-1 on the year. The right-hander yielded four runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out five over 5 2/3 innings of a 6-2 defeat.

Over his first two starts covering 12 2/3 innings, De La Rosa has allowed four runs . He will look to get back on track Wednesday at Baltimore.

I was bullish on Drew Pomeranz even before he joined the Athletics starting rotation in early May, seeing him as a clear victim of the Coors effect given the prospect he was before landing with the Rockies. And the way he dominated in his first three starts only seemed to validate my theory.

But none were more than five innings, which made sense as he transitioned from the bullpen but raised concerns regardless. And then when he followed those three dominant starts with two shaky ones (again, neither lasting six innings) I'll admit my confidence wavered -- not so much that I was dropping him or anything, but enough that I wondered privately if I had oversold him on videos, podcasts and posts such as this one.

Given his performance at the Yankees Thursday, my confidence is fully restored and then some. He went not only six innings, but seven, and threw consistent strikes after battling control issues in those two shaky starts, finishing with just one walk to seven strikeouts.

He took the loss -- which is the price for going against Masahiro Tanaka -- but even with several good starts already on his resume, this was Pomeranz's best. Now that you can trust he's fully stretched out, he's definitively must-own.

Yankees reliever David Robertson notched his 13th save Thursday against the Athletics.

Robertson came into the game with a one-run lead in the ninth inning. He allowed a single to Steven Vogt. Craig Genrty pinch ran for Vogt, and managed to steal second. Despite the pressure, Robertson kept his cool. He was able to strike out Derek Norris with Gentry on third base for the final out of the game.

Robertson struck out two during the appearance. He lowered his ERA to 4.05.