MLB Player News

Royals reliever Tim Collins has been placed on the disabled list Monday.

Collins is dealing with a flexor strain in his left elbow, according to the Kansas City Star. Collins has given up four runs in two appearances this year. 

Yankees closer David Robertson stranded two runners in the ninth inning Sunday to earn his second save in a 6-4 win.

The right-handed reliever allowed a one-out single to Brett Lawrie and a one-out walk to Adam Lind before working out of trouble. He got Colby Rasmus to pop out to third and Melky Cabrera to line out to right field to end the game.

Robertson hasn't allowed a run in three innings this season. He gave up his first hit and walk Sunday.

The Rangers have not set their rotation past Wednesday in Boston, mostly because they want to see how pitcher Colby Lewis performs Sunday for Triple-A Round Rock, according to The Dallas Morning News. If Lewis shows no issues with his surgically repaired hip, then he could start Friday against the Astros.

Joe Saunders would be the other option for Texas, but he's battling an ankle injury after getting hit by a one-hopper Friday. Saunders is expected to throw a bullpen session Monday, but manager Ron Washington doubts that will happen.

If Lewis and Saunders aren't ready to pitch Friday, then the team could place Saunders on the disabled list and recall Nick Martinez, who was optioned to Double-A Frisco Sunday following his first MLB start Saturday.

The Rangers optioned pitcher Nick Martinez to Double-A Frisco to clear a roster spot for Yu Darvish, who was activated off the disabled list Sunday. 

Martinez allowed three runs on three hits and three walks in six innings during his first MLB start Saturday against the Rays. He struck out three and allowed two home runs.

"He has pitchability and he showed that last night," Rangers manager Ron Washington said, per The Dallas Morning News. "He’s going to pitch for the Texas Rangers for a long time. We know who Nick Martinez is. Don’t read anything much into him going back to the minors right now.

"He showed poise out there. He didn’t get rattled. That’s a tough team to pitch against and guys made adjustments from pitch to pitch and at-bat to at-bat. And he still left the game with a chance to win."

Rangers pitcher Nick Martinez looked sharp in his major-league debut, but had to settle for a no-decision in a 5-4 defeat to Tampa Bay.

Martinez didn't befit from an early three-run advantage, surrendering a solo home run to Yunel Escobar in the third and a two-run home run to Matt Joyce in the fourth. He allowed three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out three over six innings pitched.

He became the first Rangers starter to last six innings and the first to post a quality start. He tossed 85 pitches, 49 of which were called for strikes. It remains uncertain if the 23-year-old will stay in the majors for another start or if he'll be sent down to Double-A Frisco.

Mariners closer Fernando Rodney collected his first save of the season on Saturday, closing out a 3-1 win over the A's in Oakland.

Rodney came in for Felix Hernandez with one out and a runner on in the ninth. He made quick work of the A's, striking out John Jaso and Josh Reddick to end the game. He has struck out three over 1 2/3 scoreless innings this season.

Rangers pitcher Nick Martinez has been called up Saturday. 

Martinez is slated to start against the Rays, but was initially sent to the minors so the team could carry an extra player for a while. Daniel McCutchen has been optioned to the minors to make room for Martinez. 

Martinez will be making his major-league debut.

Yankees closer David Robertson will not earn a save Saturday - he is unavailable after pitching on successive days.

Robertson nailed down his first save Friday since taking over the job for retired legend Mariano Rivera. He retired the Astros in order with one strikeout.

Athletics pitcher Drew Pomeranz worked just one of 12 innings in Thursday's game against the Mariners, but that was enough for him to earn his first win of the season in a 3-2, 12-inning victory.

Pomeranz worked a silent top of the 12th, retiring the Mariners in order on 15 pitches, with one groundball and two flyball outs. Coco Crisp gave Pomeranz the win with a walk-off home run in the bottom half of the inning.

Pomeranz is working out of the bullpen for the Athletics, after spending much of his career as a starter. He has one strikeout and two walks in two hitless innings so far.  

Athletics pitcher Jesse Chavez looked solid in his season debut Thursday, though he had to settle for a no-decision in a 3-2 extra-innings win.

Chavez twirled a quality start in just his third career start. He allowed two runs -- one earned -- on five hits and a pair of walks in six innings of work. He struck out four while throwing 56 of 91 pitches for strikes in the no-decision.

Chavez had made 189 of his 191 appearances in the majors as a reliever prior to Thursday, but injuries have pushed him into service as a starter. His next turn in the rotation is set for Wednesday against the Twins.