MLB Player News

The Orioles placed reliever Pedro Strop on the 15-day disabled list Saturday, with a lower back strain. Steve Johnson was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to take his place in the bullpen.

Strop has allowed runs in each of his last two outings, raising his ERA for the season to 6.11. It is not clear how long he has been dealing with this injury. 

Blue Jays pitcher Sean Nolin had a debut performance to forget Friday, giving up six earned runs on seven hits and a walk in 1 1/3 innings aginst the Orioles. He walked one and didn't have a strike outin the 10-6 loss.

Nolin was optioned to the minors after the game, the National Post reports. Manager John Gibbons told reporters that Nolan has a "bright future. ... He'll be fine."

Astros relief pitcher Josh Fields could return to the team in seven to 10 days, MLB.com reports. Fields, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a forearm injury, has made six appearances during his rehab assignment, allowing a earned run in nine innings and striking out seven with no walks.

The Rays have had "no discussion" of removing Fernando Rodney from the closer role, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Rodney has blown four saves in 13 opportunities and has a 5.40 ERA in 19 innings after setting an MLB record with a 0.60 mark in 2012. His walk rate has ballooned to 8.4 per nine innings. Apparently, his success last season has earned him some leeway in the early going this season.

The Yankees have optioned pitcher Dellin Betances to Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre, the New York Daily News reports.

Betances did not appear with the Yankees. He has a 5.40 ERA in eight appearances (six starts) at Scranton-Wilkes Barre.

The Blue Jays have called up prospect starter Sean Nolin from Triple-A Buffalo, the club announced Friday. He will start Friday's series opener against Baltimore.

Nolin was scratched from Thursday's start at Buffalo in order to make Friday's game. The Blue Jays placed Darren Oliver on the 15-day disabled list and moved J.A. Happ to the 60-day disabled list to make room on the roster.

Nolin allowed just three runs (two earned) over 15 1/3 innings in his first three starts at Buffalo. He struck out 16 against just five walks. 

Despite Rays closer Fernando Rodney blowing his fourth save opportunity Wednesday against the Blue Jays and posting a 12.27 ERA in his last four appearances, sending his ERA from 3.68 to 5.40, manager Joe Maddon continues to back him as the team's closer.

"There's no other options," Maddon said, per The Tampa Tribune.

Blue Jays starting pitcher prospect Sean Nolin has been scratched from his Thursday start for Double-A New Hampshire and is expected to be promoted to start Friday against the Orioles, according to Sportsnet. Chad Jenkins was considered the front-runner to start Friday.

Nolin, who missed the first month of the season with a groin injury, is 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA and a .250 opponents' batting average in three starts for New Hampshire. He has 16 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings. The left-hander was 10-0 with a 2.04 ERA and .218 opponents' batting average in 20 starts (18 outings) between Class A and Double-A last season. He struck out 108 batters in 101 1/3 innings.

White Sox starter Hector Santiago dropped to 1-3 with a loss Wednesday at home against the Red Sox. 

Santiago struck out nine but wasn't efficient, throwing 107 pitches over six innings. 

He gave up two runs on three hits and four walks. His ERA is 2.81. Santiago hasn't won a game since May 2 at Texas. He has 42 strikeouts over 41 2/3 innings. 

Mariners starter Brandon Maurer trailed 5-0 after the first inning Wednesday in Anaheim against the suddenly red-hot Angels. He didn't allow a home run but surrendered seven earned runs on 11 hits and two walks in three innings. He was replaced after 74 pitches. Maurer (2-6) struck out two in the loss, and he has a 6.80 ERA.

Maurer has lost three consecutive decisions in his last four outings and has allowed at least three runs in each of those starts. He's yet to go deeper than 6 2/3 in any start. Maurer is scheduled to start Tuesday against San Diego if the Mariners.