MLB Player News

Astros closer Josh Fields entered Wednesday's game in Oakland in the bottom of the 11th after Houston took a 2-1 lead.

Fields allowed a leadoff double but came back to induce a popup on a bunt followed by a strikeout. He finished his second save with his second K.

Fields is now 2 for 3 in save situations and should continue seeing the opportunities for the Astros.

Mariners reliever Danny Farquhar slipped up for the first  time since taking over the closer's role Wednesday, as he blew the save in a 5-4 loss to the Rays.

Farquhar was clearly not on his game Wednesday, as he failed to record an out in his blown save. He allowed a triple to open the outing, and ended up allowing two runs on four hits and a walk en route to the loss.

Farquhar had a 10-appearance scoreless streak come to an end with the outing. He is now five for six in save chances since taking over at the beginning of August. Farquhar's ERA for the season rose to 5.17. 

Blue Jays starter Esmil Rogers returned to the starting rotation Wednesday night at home against Boston in place of injured starter Josh Johnson. Rogers, who could remain in the rotation going forward, recorded a quality start despite the bullpen blowing his victory.

Rogers threw 98 pitches over six strong innings as he allowed only one earned run coming in on a David Ortiz solo homer in the sixth. Rogers allowed five hits and walked a batter with six strikeouts. His record remained at 3-7 on the year with a 4.91 ERA, however, as Brett Cecil allowed a two-run homer to Mike Napoli to tie the score in the ninth.

Rogers may remain in Johnson's rotation spot going forward, though nothing is set in stone at the moment. Manager John Gibbons does not yet have Rogers listed with another start. If he does get another, it would likely come Tuesday at the Yankees.

Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore did not suffer any sort of setback in his 55-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, but he also admitted he does not feel comfortable making his return to the rotation just yet.

"I felt good, but good isn't great and good isn't 100 percent," Moore told MLB.com. "We're looking to be 100 percent. There are still a few things in doubt that we're not comfortable with. We're just going to give it a couple more days and see where we're at."

Moore has been out since July 28 with a sore muscle in his left elbow, and there is no sign as of yet that he has suffered any physical setback. He believes he has recovered nicely, but does not yet have a specific date for his expected return.

"The progress we have made is substantial. There's just a little more to go."

Rays starter Matt Moore (elbow) will not start this weekend, the Tampa Bay Times reports Wednesday. It was reported earlier in the day that Moore may return from the disabled list in time to start Saturday against Toronto.

Moore is expected to throw Sunday and will be re-evaluated at that time. The Rays said Moore did not suffer a setback as they simply want to remain cautious with the burgeoning ace.

Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore (elbow) might come off the disabled list to start Saturday's game against the Blue Jays, reports the Tampa Bay Times. Moore is 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in two starts against Toronto this season.

White Sox starter Hector Santiago was solid Tuesday night at home against Detroit. In the end, he walked away with a no-decision.

The Tigers tied the score in the eighth inning and Santiago's record remains 3-7 on the year despite a solid 3.37 ERA. The starter gave up two runs -- one earned -- on six hits and four walks over five innings. He struck out three and threw 102 pitches as he wasn't very economical.

Santiago has not earned a winning decision for the White Sox since way back on June 21 at Kansas City. Still, he's continued to produce quality outings for the most part. Santiago will next take the mound for the White Sox on Sunday at Minnesota.

Mariners closer Danny Farquhar saved his fifth game in a row Tuesday against the Rays, in a 5-4 win.

Farquhar faced the minimum number of batters in the game, as he struck out two batters on 17 pitches. He has allowed just two hits in five outings since recording his first save Aug. 3, striking out eight batters in 5 1/3 innings. 

The Blue Jays will give the ball to Esmil Rogers to start in Josh Johnson's place Wednesday against Boston, the National Post reports following Tuesday's game. Thad Weber will not get the start. 

Rogers was recently demoted from the starting rotation. He was the obvious choice to return to starting, though he's 3-7 on the season with Toronto with a 5.12 ERA. He's 2-5 with a 5.76 ERA over his last 12 starts. 

The Blue Jays have recalled Thad Weber from Triple-A Buffalo Tuesday with Josh Johnson going on the disabled list, the National Post reports. General manager Alex Anthopoulos said either Weber or Esmil Rogers will start Wednesday against Boston in Johnson's place. 

Weber, who is 0-1 this season over four appearances for Toronto with a 2.25, has made 15 appearances and 12 starts for Triple-A Buffalo this season. He's 5-3 with a 2.74 ERA over his last 10 outings with 54 Ks over 65 2/3 innings. 

Rogers was recently demoted from the starting rotation. He would be the obvious choice to return to starting, though he's 3-7 on the season with Toronto with a 5.12 ERA. He's 2-5 with a 5.76 ERA over his last 12 starts.