MLB Player News

Red Sox pitching prospect Matt Barnes will make his Triple-A Pawtucket debut Thursday, WEEI.com reports Wednesday. The 23-year-old was just promoted from Double-A Portland. 

Barnes had an up-and-down season with Portland. Over 24 starts, the right-hander went 5-10 with a 4.33 ERA. That said, he's also leading the Eastern League with 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings. 

Rays closer Fernando Rodney blew his career-worst eighth save of the season Tuesday, in a 6-5 loss to the Angels.

Rodney entered the ninth inning with a 5-4 lead, Rodney walked two batters and allowed a two-run double to lose the game, after a fielding error by center fielder Desmond Jennings. He was charged with one of two runs against him, on one hit and two walks, while finishing the inning with one strikeout.

Rodney has blown three of seven save chances in the month of August and eight of 38 overall, while posting a 3.79 ERA and 1.45 WHIP through 54 2/3 innings. 

Mariners closer Danny Farquhar suffered his second loss Tuesday night against the Rangers. Farquhar allowed Ian Kinsler to score the winning run on a balk in the top of the 10th inning.

Farquhar (0-2) gave up a run on two hits and a strikeout over an inning of work in extras. He threw 19 pitches and has a 4.67 ERA.

The closer had gone five straight appearances between runs allowed with four saves over that span until Tuesday's outing.

Rays pitcher Matt Moore threw a successful bullpen session Monday, according to the Tampa Tribune. 

Moore threw "well," and the reports about the session were positive. He's expected to toss a rehab start Thursday, though it's unclear where he'll play. Moore is slated to return to the majors September 3.

Through 121 1/3 innings, Moore has a 3.41 ERA. 

Athletics pitcher Brett Anderson is no longer an option to start Thursday's game at Detroit, MLB.com reports. Anderson is likely to be activated in Detroit, but should pitch out of the bullpen for the Tigers. 

"We're going to have a tough time starting Brett [Anderson] at this point," manager Bob Melvin said Monday. 

Melvin said Bartolo Colon is likely to start Thursday, though he's not ruling out Jesse Chavez as an option if Colon can't go. 

Blue Jays pitcher Aaron Loup has returned from paternity leave Monday. 

In order to make room for Loup, the club designated pitcher Chien-Ming Wang for assignment. Loup has a 2.47 ERA in 62 innings. 

Rays pitcher Matt Moore will return September 3, according to the Tampa Tribune. 

Moore has been out since July 28 with an elbow injury. In 121 1/3 innings, Moore has a 3.41 ERA.

Rays closer Fernando Rodney pitched a scoreless ninth inning Sunday against the Yankees. He pitched in a 2-2 ballgame and kept things that way.

Rodney went 1-2-3 and struck out one batter over 11 pitches. Nine of his pitches went for strikes. His ERA is now at 3.69 with the scoreless appearance. The closer has gone 30 for 37 in save situations this year.

The Royals have recalled reliever Will Smith frrom Triple-A Omaha, MLB.com reports. 

Smith will fill in for Luke Hochevar while he is on paternity leave. Smith owns a 3.27 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 22 innings for Kansas City and a 3.03 ERA with 100 strikeouts in 89 innings for Omaha.

Rays starter Matt Moore woke up with normal soreness Sunday after pitching in a simulated game on Saturday, The Tampa Tribune reports. Moore took that as a positive sign. 

The young Rays starting pitcher wants to return this week and expects to argue his case. He'll either make a rehab start or throw a second simulated game. Moore has been out since the end of July with this injury, and the team is taking his recovery very slowly.