MLB Player News

Rays relief pitcher Fernando Rodney, second baseman Kelly Johnson, first baseman James Loney, outfielder Delmon Young, starting pitcher Roberto Hernandez and relief pitcher Jesse Crain have filed for free agency.

The Rays have expressed interest in bringing back Rodney, their closer of the last two years, and Loney, their starting first baseman in 2013.

The Oakland Athletics have activated relief pitcher Fernando Rodriguez and infielder Scott Sizemore off the 60-day disabled list Monday. 

Rodriguez missed the entire season recovering from Tommy John surgery. He'll be healthy for the spring and will compete for a bullpen gig. 

Sizemore, who is 28, missed a second consecutive season after he tore his ACL last spring. He's expected back for spring training 2014. 

The Tampa Bay Rays activated several players off the 60-day disabled list on Monday as they were placed on the 40-man roster in procedural moves. 

The Rays activated pitchers Jeff Niemann, who missed all of 2013 after shoulder surgery, Alex Colome, who had a strained elbow, and Juan Carlos Oviedo, who missed all of 2013 returning from Tommy John. 

The Rays also reinstated outfielder Brandon Guyer, who never played this season due to a broken finger. 

Though the Yankees have yet to commit to a successor to closer Mariano Rivera, manager Joe Girardi acknowledged that David Robertson is the team's best option going into next season, barring an offseason move. Girardi told MLB.com, "I think he's a guy that has the ability to [close]. Right now, that's our best candidate."

In 2012, Robertson posted his third consecutive season with at least 30 holds and a sub-3.00 ERA. In addition to three saves, he finished with 33 holds and a 2.04 ERA.

The Rays are interested in re-signing closer Fernando Rodney, The Tampa Tribune reports.

Rodney was shaky in 2013, as he allowed a 3.37 ERA and blew nine saves in 46 chances. But he still had electric stuff, as he struck out 82 batters in just 66 2/3 innings, so the Rays would be willing to give him another whirl in the bullpen if the price is right.

Rays closer Fernando Rodney picked up the win in Monday's American League Division Series Game 3 at home against Boston. Rodney almost blew the Rays' season, however. 

Rodney entered the game with the Rays up 4-3 in the ninth. He allowed Xander Bogaerts to score on Dustin Pedroia's ground out as he gave up a run on a hit and a walk in the inning with one strikeout. He threw 19 pitches as he blew the save but left the game tied. 

The Rays won the game on a Jose Lobaton walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth, giving Rodney the victory and the team a 2-1 series deficit as it heads to Game 4. Rodney blew eight saves during the regular season and finished with a 3.38 ERA, 37 saves and 82 strikeouts over 66 2/3 innings. 

Yankees pitcher Dellin Betances will not likely play winter ball in the offseason, The Journal News reports Monday. The Yankees would prefer he get ready for an important spring training.

"It’s doubtful right now," senior vice president of baseball operations Mark Newman said.

Betances, as a starter for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season, had a 6.00 ERA over 24 innings. He gave up 19 hits, 19 earned runs, 16 walks and struck out 25 batters. As a reliever, Betances had an ERA of just 1.35 over 60 innings. 

Matt Moore had trouble again against the Red Sox as the Rays dropped the Game 1 of the American League Division Series against Boston, 12-2, on Friday afternoon at Fenway Park.

Moore tossed three scoreless innings before coughing up five runs in the fourth and three in the fifth. He surrendered up eight runs -- seven runs -- on eight hits and two walks while striking out four over 4 1/3 innings of work for the loss.

The Orioles reinstated pitcher Eric Beaulac from the 15-day disabled list Thursday and outrighted him to Triple-A Norfolk, clearing a 40-man roster spot in the process. Beaulac gave up four earned runs in 18 1/3 innings between Class A and Double-A this season.

Rays pitcher Matt Moore will get the start during the club's first ALDS matchup against the Red Sox, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

The club has already used David Price and Alex Cobb in the tiebreaker game and wild card game, putting Moore in line for the start. Moore will be followed by Price for Game 2. Through 150 1/3 innings, Moore had a 3.29 ERA.