MLB Player News

Rays starter Matt Moore, who has been dealing with an elbow injury, played catch from 90 feet Wednesday, The Tampa Tribune reports. Moore said the session went well and he hopes to throw off a bullpen mound Sunday, though possibly not at full distance. He remains on schedule to return sometime in the middle of August. 

The Astros optioned reliever Jose Cisnero to Triple-A Oklahoma City Wednesday. The right-handed reliever has been mired in a slump, posting a 10.80 ERA and 2.70 WHIP in his last 12 outings.

The Twins confirmed Wednesday starting pitcher Liam Hendriks will be recalled from Triple-A Rochester to start the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the White Sox. Hendriks is 1-1 with a 4.66 ERA in two starts for Minnesota this season.

The Royals optioned pitcher Will Smith to Triple-A Omaha Wednesday. Smith tossed three scoreless innings and struck out five batters Tuesday against the Twins.

Rays starter Matt Moore (elbow) said his injury felt fine after playing catch Tuesday, The Tampa Tribune reports. Moore is expected to do it again Wednesday. 

The Tampa Bay starter hopes to do bullpen work by the weekend. He remains on schedule to return sometime in the middle of August. 

Twins starter Liam Hendriks is expected to receive a start Friday during the team's double-header against the White Sox, according to the Star Tribune. 

Hendriks has struggled at Triple-A Rochester this season, with a 5.12 ERA in 14 starts. He will likely start the second game of the double-header. Hendriks has already started two games in the majors this season, and has a 4.66 ERA. 

Houston reliever Josh Fields saved Monday night's 2-0 Houston victory, striking out all four batters he faced. With no clear closer in Houston at the moment, a Fantasy player looking to get saves from any possible source should be looking to add Josh Fields.

Fields has as good a chance as anyone at holding onto the job and running with it. A Rule 5 pick of the Astros this offseason, Fields sported a 10.3 K/9 in the minors, and carried a 3.47 ERA over his career. Granted, he's currently sporting a 5.85 ERA in 20 innings this season, but he's allowed just one run over his last six appearances, striking out 11 batters in 4 2/3 innings. 

There's no guarantee Fields takes the job and runs with it -- this is, after all, technically a committee -- but his dominant performance Monday night against the Red Sox may get him the next shot. And if he can convert that, it may be too late for a Fantasy team to grab Fields off the waiver wire.

Astros reliever Josh Fields recorded his first save of the season Monday at home against Boston. Fields held down a 2-0 lead by getting the final four outs. 

Fields struck out four batters over 1 1/3 innings and 20 pitches as he mowed down the Red Sox in their attempt to come back. Fields' ERA is now at 5.85. Fields is one of several options to close games for Houston now that they've traded Jose Veras. 

Rays reliever Fernando Rodney picked up his 27th save in Sunday's win over San Francisco.

Rodney worked a hitless inning with a strikeout. Rodney has now converted 16 consecutive saves with a 2.05 ERA over 26 1/3 innings.

Mariners reliever Danny Farquhar picked up his second save in Sunday's game against Baltimore.

Farquhar threw a clean inning with a strikeout and eight strikes in nine pitches to close it out. Farquhar still has a brutal 5.09 ERA, but he has been unhittable since the All-Star break (1.64 ERA, 17 strikeouts in 11 innings) and has 53 strikeouts in just 35 1/3 innings for the season.