MLB Player News

Rays closer Fernando Rodney got the opportunity to work in a low-pressure situation Monday, after he blew three of his previous five save opportunities.

Rodney worked the ninth inning of a 10-6 win over the Marlins, and did so without much trouble. Rodney walked one batter in the outing, but was able to get out of the inning without allowing a run. Rodney struck out two batters, while throwing 11 of 21 pitches for strikes.

Rodney has struggled this season, with a 5.75 ERA and 1.72 WHIP in 20 1/3 innings. He has blown five saves in 14 opportunities. 

Orioles reliever Pedro Strop, who is on the disabled list with a lower back injury, will remain with the team for the time being, MLB.com reports Monday. 

Manager Buck Showalter hopes to get Strop throwing on the team's upcoming homestand beginning Wednesday. 

The Blue Jays will give the ball to Esmil Rogers to make a spot start Wednesday against Atlanta, the Toronto Sun reports Monday. 

Rogers has made 22 career outings as a starter and has gone 6-8 with a 6.24 ERA in those starts. He's been more effective over the course of his career in relief. 

The Indians are listing closer Chris Perez as day to day with a shoulder injury after he left Sunday's game against the Red Sox during a save situation in the ninth inning. Manager Terry Francona didn't name any potential replacements for Perez in the closer's role if he were to miss time, but MLB Network analyst Peter Gammons feels Bryan Shaw would be the guy to step into the closer's role.

Shaw has no record and 1.85 ERA through 19 appearances. He has two holds, one blown save and 24 strikeouts in 24 1/3 innings. The right-hander recorded two saves for Arizona last season.

White Sox pitcher Hector Santiago isn't broken up about heading back to the bullpen. He knows his time in the rotation will be coming.

"I don't think anybody has lost their job," Santiago said, per MLB.com. "[Dylan] Axelrod has earned his spot, and [John Danks] is coming off the surgery. He's been here for years now, and everybody else is throwing the ball well. [Axelrod] was the only person I was competing with, but he's earned his job and done well enough to stay there. Like I said earlier in the year, I'm going to be in the rotation. It's going to happen. They've said it. It's just a matter of time when it's going to happen. They said that I've earned my spot in the rotation, but right now we are better off with me in the bullpen. I'm fine with it."

The White Sox announced Sunday pitcher Hector Santiago will be shifting back to the bullpen with Dylan Axelrod keeping the fifth spot in the rotation, according to MLB.com. Santiago was 1-2 with a 2.96 ERA and .216 opponents' batting average in five May starts.

Following Fernando Rodney's fifth blown save and second in as many appearances Saturday against the Yankees, no one would blame Rays manager Joe Maddon for looking toward alternative options to close out games. However, it's a thought that hasn't even crossed Maddon's mind.

Maddon reiterated after Saturday's 11-inning loss that Rodney will remain the team's closer.

"I'm not going to run away from guys when they are struggling a little bit and I don't think he's struggling a lot," Maddon said, per the Tampa Bay Times. "It's a little bit."

Rodney is 0-1 with two saves, three blown saves and a 13.50 ERA in his last five appearances (4 2/3 innings). He's had trouble with walks in 2013, issuing 18 in 19 1/3 innings. His struggles are baffling to Maddon.

"It's really almost incredible to think that is our problem right now," Maddon said of losing ninth-inning leads. "Because that would be the one thing that I thought would have been our strong point at the beginning of the season."

Rays manager Joe Maddon told The Tampa Tribune following Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Yankees in extra innings that he remains confident in closer Fernando Rodney.

Rodney gave up two runs in the ninth and blew his fifth save. Rodney has allowed seven runs over his last 4 2/3 innings. He has converted two of his last five save opportunities over that span.

Rays closer Fernando Rodney continued to struggle as he blew his league-leading fifth save Saturday against the Yankees.

Rodney, who entered the game in the ninth with a two-run lead, surrendered a two-out, run-scoring double to Brennan Boesch and a run-scoring single to Brett Gardner to tie the game. He was charged with two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out one in his inning.

Rodney has allowed seven runs over his last 4 2/3 innings. He has converted two of his last five save opportunities over that span.

Rays starter Matt Moore turned in another solid performance but had to settle for a no-decision Saturday against the Yankees.

Moore allowed just a run-scoring single to Travis Hafner in the first inning. The left-hander permitted five hits and two walks while striking out two over six innings of the 4-3 extra-inning loss.

Moore has allowed two runs over his last two starts (13 innings) and is scheduled to next start Thursday at Miami.