MLB Player News

Yankees reliever David Robertson has retired the last 25 batters faced with the bases loaded, according to WFAN.

Robertson has emerged as one of the best setup men in baseball behind Mariano Rivera. With Rivera out Monday, Roberston had an opportunity to pick up a save. Robertson did load the bases, but managed to get himself out of trouble with a game-ending strikeout. 

Robertson has a 1.81 ERA in 49 2/3 innings. 

Yankees reliever David Robertson earned his first save of the season Monday in a 2-1 win over the Angels.

Robertson allowed one inherited runner to score as the Yankees lost the shutout, but he got the job done with Mariano Rivera unavailable after three consecutive blown saves.

Robertson struck out two batters. He gave up two walks and a hit over two-thirds of a frame. He threw 22 pitches and his ERA is at 1.81 on the year.

The Royals optioned relief pitcher Will Smith to Triple-A Omaha Monday, MLB.com reports. Smith was up for his fifth stint of the season with the Royals. 

Smith has appeared in seven games for Kansas City and has made one start. He has a 3.26 ERA over 19 1/3 innings with 20 strikeouts. 

Rays pitcher Matt Moore (elbow) threw off a mound Sunday for the first time since his injury. The left-hander threw 50 pitches and has nearly reached game-speed velocity, pitching coach Jim Hickey told MLB.com. He is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Tuesday.

"That's in a perfect world, if everything goes well Tuesday and Wednesday," Moore said. "Still, [I] just [have to] continue with the same regimen as far as treatment goes. Today it was really just a great conditioning day for my shoulder, my lat, all the baseball-specific muscles. And I didn't feel like I got tired at the end of it. And it was a good workday."

Mariners reliever Danny Farquhar collected his fourth save of the season Sunday against the Brewers.

Farquhar worked his way around a two-out single as he struck out one and pitched a scoreless ninth inning to preserve a 2-0 victory. He owns a 4.82 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP in 37 1/3 innings of relief.

The Blue Jays have moved pitcher Esmil Rogers to the bullpen as he's been removed from the starting rotation, MLB.com reports Sunday. 

Rogers, who is 3-7 on the season with a 5.12 ERA, has gone 2-5 with a 5.76 ERA over his last 12 appearances -- all starts. 

Rays pitcher Matt Moore (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Sunday, the Tampa Bay Times reports. Moore played catch a few times and has had no issues. 

The starter is ready to test his elbow out on the mound. How he feels Monday will help determine when he'll rejoin the rotation for Tampa Bay and manager Joe Maddon. 

The Yankees recalled reliever Dellin Betances from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Sunday. The club optioned out David Adams. 

When Betances appears in a game, he'll be making his first appearance for the Yankees since 2011. Betances has 88 Ks over 72 2/3 innings in the minors. 

The Royals have recalled relievers Will Smith and Donnie Joseph from Triple-A Omaha to join the bullpen, the Kansas City Star reports. 

Smith is 1-1 this season for Kansas City over seven appearances and one start. He has a 3.26 ERA over 19 1/3 innings. 

Joseph made two appearances for the Royals on the year. He has not allowed a run over 1 1/3 innings. 

The Twins optioned Friday starting pitcher Liam Hendriks to Triple-A Rochester. Hendriks was not expected to remain up with Minnesota.

Hendriks, who made his first start since April 10 Friday, tossed a quality outing. He took a no-decision after allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk over 6 1/3 innings with three strikeouts.