MLB Player News

White Sox starter Hector Santiago (4-7) tossed a quality start as he earned his fourth win of the season Sunday against the Twins. The left-hander yielded two runs -- one earned -- on nine hits and two walks while striking out one over six innings of a 5-2 victory.

Santiago has allowed one earned run in each of his last two starts and two earned runs or fewer in seven of his last nine starts. He is scheduled to make his next start Saturday at home against Texas. He is 1-3 with a 4.03 ERA in 12 appearances (nine starts) at home.

Rays closer Fernando Rodney pitched a scoreless inning Sunday to keep the game against the Blue Jays tied and headed to extra innings. Rodney pitched the ninth in a 1-1 ballgame.

Rodney almost gave up the lead as Edwin Encarnacion doubled off the top of the wall off him. Rodney was able to strand Encarnacion at third base, however. He threw 19 pitches and allowed the lone hit. His ERA is at 3.99.

Rodney, 5-3 with 27 saves, has blown his last two save opportunities. Still, he's struck out 66 over 49 2/3 innings pitched this season and has his ERA back under 4.00.

The Astros have decided to go with a two-person closer committee, the Houston Chronicle reports Sunday. Houston manager Bo Porter will go with Chia-Jen Lo and Josh Fields to close out games in the ninth. 

"I'll fluctuate between (Lo and Fields) based on the workload previously leading up to that game," Porter said. 

Lo has not yet been scored upon this season over 7 1/3 innings. He has one save and five strikeouts for the Astros. Fields has seen more opportunity. He has a 1-3 record and 6.84 ERA over 28 appearances and 25 innings. Fields has two saves. 

Rays starter Matt Moore was able to make 55 throws from 75 feet Sunday and said after that he felt great, the Tampa Bay Times reports. Moore said it felt exactly as it is supposed to feel. 

Moore, who is taking his elbow injury on a day-by-day basis, is expected to play catch again Monday. 

Rays starter Matt Moore, who has been expected to return to the rotation following an elbow injury next week, said Saturday that he plans on playing catch Sunday, the Tampa Bay Times reports. 

That said, Moore said he has no sense of when he'll get back on a mound. He is taking this as a day-to-day evaluation. 

Mariners reliever Danny Farquhar collected his sixth save of the season Friday night against the Rangers. The right-hander struck out two and only needed 13 pitches to retire the side in order to secure a 3-1 victory.

Farquhar is 6 of 7 in save chances since taking over the closer's role. He owns a 5.03 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP in 39 1/3 innings of relief this season.

Blue Jays starter Esmil Rogers will start the first game of a doubleheader Tuesday against the Yankees. Rogers will be on six days' rest. Mark Buehrle will start the second game of the doubleheader, according to MLB.com.

R.A. Dickey will start Wednesday and J.A. Happ Thursday. Todd Redmond will start Friday's series against the Astros in Houston.

The Royals recalled relief pitcher Will Smith from Triple-A Omaha Friday. Smith went 6-3 with a 3.00 ERA in 27 appearances (10 starts) with Omaha this season.

Rays pitcher Matt Moore is expected to return to the rotation next weekend, the Tampa Bay Times reports. 

Moore specifically felt discomfort when using his chamgeup during a bullpen session Wednesday. The Rays will rest Moore until Sunday, when he will be re-evaluated. Moore has not pitched since July 28.

Yankees pitcher Dellin Betances has been optioned to the minors Thursday.

Betances was called up Sunday, and only appeared in one game with the club. He gave up four runs on five hits in just two-thirds of an inning Wednesday.