MLB Player News

 The Rangers made it official on Friday, announcing that pitcher Nick Martinez will start on Sunday against the Blue Jays, FOX Sports Southwest reports.

Martinez was already tentatively slated to make Sunday's start, so this does not come as a surprise. He owns a 2.38 ERA and 13:11 K:BB ratio in 22 2/3 innings.

Rays reliever Brad Boxberger entered Thursday's game against the Angels in a precarious situation, and ultimately took the loss as the Angels went on to win, 6-5.

Boxberger entered the game with runners on the corners, no outs, and Mike Trout at the plate. He faced just one batter, as Trout took him deep for a three-run, game-winning home run.

Boxberger took the blown save, his first of the season, though Grant Balfour did much of the work in losing the game. He saw his ERA rise to 2.53 in 10 2/3 innings of work. 

Yankees starting pitcher David Robertson collected a rare four-out save Thursday night against the Mets.

Robertson struck out two and retired all four hitters he faced in order, securing a 1-0 victory. He is a perfect 7 for 7 in save chances with a 1.74 ERA and a 0.68 WHIP in 10 1/3 innings pitched.

Yankees reliever Dellin Betances pitched well and was awarded his second relief win on Thursday against the Mets. Betances relieved Chase Whitley and struck out six in 2 1/3 perfect innings. He owns a 1.61 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP in 22.1 innings pitched.

The Rangers are planning to use pitchers Yu Darvish, Robbie Ross and Nick Martinez as their starters for the team's series against the Blue Jays this weekend, the Dallas Morning News reports.

Ross had been scheduled to be skipped this time through the rotation, but injuries to multiple Texas starters have put him back in the mix to start Saturday. Martinez, who is tentatively slated to make Sunday's start, threw 39 pitches in relief Monday and another 34 in relief Wednesday.

Rangers pitcher Nick Martinez was hit with a loss Wednesday, giving up one earned run on two hits and one walk in 1 1/3 innings while striking out two in his team's 5-4 loss to the Astros.

Martinez (1-1) tossed a 1-2-3 eighth inning, but he wasn't as sharp in the bottom of the ninth, when he gave up a walkoff single with runners on first and second to end the game. He owns a 2.38 ERA and 13:11 K:BB ratio in 22 2/3 innings.

Mariners pitcher Brandon Maurer was hung with a loss after giving up two earned runs on two hits and four walks in 3 2/3 innings while striking out three in his team's 2-0 loss to the Rays Wednesday.

Maurer (1-2) walked three straight batters in the fourth inning, with the third walk bringing in a run. After Maurer was removed, the next pitcher uncorked a wild pitch to bring another run home that was charged to the starter. Maurer owns a 6.00 ERA and 13:9 K:BB ratio in 24 innings. He's scheduled to face the Rangers next Wednesday, though the Mariners could adjust the rotation with two off days on the horizon.

If it isn't clear already -- and judging by his 64 percent ownership rate, it isn't -- Drew Pomeranz needs to be added in all leagues.

He followed up the spot start that earned him a full-time rotation spot with another gem Tuesday against a more formidable opponent in the White Sox. Yeah, he went only five innings again, but after spending the first month in the bullpen, he's still building up his pitch count. He threw 82 in this one compared to 68 in his previous start.

Of greater note, he has yet to allow a run as a starting pitcher, allowing just seven batters to reach base while recording 13 strikeouts in 10 innings. It's the kind of performance you'd expect from a front-line pitcher, which is what Pomeranz projected to be when the Indians took him fifth overall in the 2010. He might have already become one if he hadn't gotten sidetracked in Colorado, where the physics of the game work a little differently.

Given how highly regarded he was before landing in Colorado and how effective he's been since leaving, I'm ready to conclude it was the source of all his struggles, which makes this transition back to the starting role especially encouraging.

Closer candidate Anthony Bass will not be pitching for the Astros for a while - he has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with an intercostal strain. Deposed closer Josh Fields has been recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Bass has struggled most of the season. He has given up six runs on 11 hits in 8 1/3 innings covering his last eight appearances.

Mariners closer Fernando Rodney blew a save opportunity Tuesday, giving up two earned runs on four hits and one walk in two-thirds of an inning in his team's 2-1 loss to the Rays.

Rodney (1-2) served up a solo home run to tie the game before issuing a walk and three singles to put the go-ahead run on the board for the Rays. He was then removed, and the next pitcher got out of the bases loaded jam. Rodney owns a 3.31 ERA and 22:9 K:BB ratio in 16 1/3 innings.