MLB Player News

Rays closer Fernando Rodney was summoned for a one-out save Friday night against the Yankees. It was his 25th save of the season.

Rodney entered the game for Jake McGee with two outs in the ninth. The right-hander forced Chris Stewart to ground out to third base for the final out of the game, preserving a 10-6 win. He owns a 4.01 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP on the year.

The Rays retooled their starting rotation following Thursday's rainout against the Red Sox. Jeremy Hellickson will open Friday's series against the Yankees. Chris Archer will start Saturday and Matt Moore will take the mound for the series finale.

Manager Joe Maddon has not named his starter for monday's makeup game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, though Roberto Hernandez could be next in line, followed by David Price.

"We can do different things on Monday. We haven't decided on that," Maddon said, per MLB.com.

Toronto starter Esmil Rogers was sharp against the Dodgers from Rogers Centre Wednesday night. Rogers gave up a run apiece in the second and third innings and didn't allow another to cross on his outing.

Rogers took a no-decision as the game remained tied at two after he left. Still, he managed to scatter 10 hits and a walk over seven strong frames to give up just two earned. He struck out four batters and threw 104 pitches. Rogers lowered his ERA to 3.74 in the process.

The 27-year-old starter has been solid for the Blue Jays since joining the rotation. He's made 10 starts and has been giving the team a good chance to win. That said, his last victory was way back on June 18 against Colorado as his record remains 3-4 after the no-decision. Rogers next takes the mound on Monday at Oakland.

Our Jon Heyman is reporting Astros closer Jose Veras is drawing considerable trade interest and appears likely to be dealt by the July 31 trade deadline. If that happens, then who closes for Houston?

That's a great question given the state of the team's bullpen. Astros' relievers have combined for the worst bullpen ERA (5.04) in the majors. In fact, Veras has the lowest ERA (3.12) among Houston's relievers. 

In the event of a Veras' trade, the top internal candidates to take over as the team's closer are Jose Cisnero, Wesley Wright, Hector Ambriz and Josh Fields. 

If you asked me this question in late June, then Cisnero would have been the easy choice. He was a rising arm in Houston's bullpen and gaining the trust of the coaching staff. However, he has struggled lately. He's walked 12 batters in his last 11 2/3 innings and has a 9.95 ERA in his last seven outings.

Fields could be a future MLB closer, but he has a 6.61 ERA. Wright could be more valuable as a lefty specialist and setup man. Also, Wright's name has come up in trade rumors, so he might be on the move as well. Ambriz is second on the team with two saves and has 13 holds, but also has a 5.66 ERA and 1.77 WHIP.

If Houston manager Bo Porter loses Veras, it wouldn't surprise me one bit if he chose a closer-by-committe approach. But if I had to stash one player in Fantasy, then I'd think I'd make it Cisnero since he does have plenty of upside.

White Sox starting pitcher Hector Santiago received no run support while he was in Tuesday's ballgame at home against the Detroit Tigers. It didn't help that Santiago didn't have his best effort on the night.

Santiago ended up suffering the defeat to fall to 3-6 on the season despite his solid 3.38 ERA. He allowed six runs -- three earned -- on five hits and five walks with six strikeouts over six frames. He threw 110 pitches over that span.

The 25-year-old Santiago had been pitching extremely well to close out the first half of the season. Although wins have come at a premium, he's been solid enough to take the ball every fifth day. His next scheduled outing comes Sunday against Kansas City.

Rays starter Matt Moore pitched a two-hit shutout to beat the Red Sox Monday night in Boston.

Moore, who also allowed a walk, had his first complete-game and threw 109 pitches. He struck out four to improve to 14-3 with a 3.17 ERA.

Moore was making his first start since the All-Star break but has won each of the last six times he's taken the mound. Moore makes his next scheduled start Saturday in New York against the Yankees.

Rays closer Fernando Rodney escaped a ninth-inning jam Sunday against the Blue Jays to escape with his 24th save during a 4-3 win.

Rodney took the hill with a three-run lead, but the first three batters reached base safely, which included Jose Reyes' two-RBI double. Rodney retired the next two hitters before walking Adam Lind, who was lifted for pinch runner Rajai Davis. Davis ended up stealing second base, but he was stranded as Melky Cabrera grounded out to end the game.

Rodney was charged with two runs on two hits and two walks, while striking out one. It was his second save in as many days.

Rays closer Fernando Rodney almost let the Blue Jays rally Saturday, but held on for the save in a 4-3 win.

Rodney allowed a one-out walk and two-out single in the ninth. He then fumbled a comebacker from Edwin Encarnacion, allowing a run and putting the tying run on third.

But Rodney was able to induce a fly ball to end the game and get his 23rd save. He was not charged with an earned run and lowered his ERA to 3.70. 

Blue Jays starter Esmil Rogers had a hard time keeping the ball in the park as he allowed four homers but escaped with a no-decision Friday against the Rays.

Rogers served up homers to Ben Zobrist, Wil Myers, Evan Longoria and Kelly Johnson. The right-hander permitted four runs on seven hits while striking out four over 5 2/3 innings in an 8-5 defeat.

Rogers has allowed four earned runs in three of his last five starts. He is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday at home against the Dodgers. He owns a 3.84 ERA through 77 1/3 innings.

It's been a rough year for Red Sox starting pitching prospect Matt Barnes. The 2011 first-round pick (19th overall) is 4-6 with a 5.22 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and .284 opponents' batting average in 17 starts for Double-A Portland.

Barnes has had only one outstanding month in 2013, when he went 2-0 with a 2.65 ERA in six May starts. Otherwise, he went 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA in four April starts, 1-3 with a 6.86 ERA in five June starts and is 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA in two July starts.

One of the few bright spots for Barnes this year has been his strikeout-to-walk ratio. He has struck out 88 batters and walked 28 in 70 2/3 innings. Barnes is considered a top-100 prospect by MLB.com (No. 38) and Baseball America (No. 40).