MLB Player News

Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore managed to go 14 innings to begin the season without allowing an earned run. While that streak came to an end Wednesday night in Baltimore, Moore still earned the victory to move to 3-0.

The Tampa Bay starter finally gave up a run in the third inning Wednesday when Adam Jones connected for a two-run blast to tie the score. The Rays took another lead, however, and Moore finished strong for the win.

He allowed two earned runs on five base hits and three walks over 6 2/3 innings. Moore struck out seven batters and threw 104 pitches, with 67 going for strikes.

With an ERA of just 1.00 after three starts with 20 Ks over 18 innings, the 23-year-old has been sensational to begin the year for Tampa. He'll look to move to 4-0 when he next takes the hill Monday versus the Yankees.

Orioles reliever Pedro Strop, who starred for Team Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, has gotten off to a rocky start for Baltimore, MASNSports.com reports. Manager Buck Showalter fielded questions regarding his start to the year Wednesday. 

"This guy had a really, really good year for us last year, with a little bump," Showalter said. "What I liked was the way he came back and was a contributor again. He got some big outs in the playoffs and leading up to the last week. I like him."

The 27-year-old Strop, who was converted to a pitcher from a shortstop just three years ago, got the final two outs of his first inning of work Tuesday against Tampa Bay with little issue. He came back out for another inning and couldn't retire a batter. 

Strop allowed a leadoff homer to Kelly Johnson, walked a batter and then gave up a two-run shot to Evan Longoria before being pulled. His ERA is at 10.80, but he's been clean in four of his six outings. 

White Sox pitcher Hector Santiago has been one of the team's best relievers through the first few weeks. Santiago has tossed 9 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and three walks, while striking out seven.

Manager Robin Ventura compares Santiago to a "Swiss Army Knife" because of his versatility, per the Chicago Sun-Times.

"He has good stuff and he throws strikes,'' Ventura said. "He gets a lot of swings and misses for a guy who throws a fastball. You feel safe with getting Hector in there in big spots. Down by one, he can get you back in a game.''

Orioles reliever Pedro Strop was tagged for three runs Tuesday against the Rays, which included allowing a pair of home runs. It was the second time in six appearances Strop allowed three runs -- both times coming against the Rays.

Strop has a 32.40 ERA in two outings against Tampa Bay this season, while posting a 0.00 ERA against the three other opponents -- Red Sox, Yankees, Twins -- he's faced.

"Results-wise, I'm not happy, but before this game tonight, I was locating the ball well," Strop said, per MASNsports.com. "Some things happened, but I was feeling good, making my pitches. Tonight, I just missed two pitches."

Mariners pitcher Brandon Maurer picked up the first win of his young career in Sunday's series finale against the Rangers. After posting a 16.20 ERA in his first two starts, the right-hander allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits over six innings of work in the 4-3 victory.

Maurer (1-2) gave up an RBI double to Mitch Moreland in the second for the only damage over his first four frames. The 22-year-old got tagged for a two-spot in the fifth.

He also struck out five and walked one while throwing 97 pitches, 61 for strikes.

Maurer will face Texas again in his next start, which is scheduled for Saturday.

The Twins reassigned pitcher Liam Hendriks to Triple-A Rochester Saturday as they activated starter Scott Diamond off the disabled list.

Hendriks made two starts for the Twins and went 0-1 with a 4.66 ERA. He had five strikeouts and a 1.34 WHIP over 9 2/3 innings.

Athletics reliever Fernando Rodriguez, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, said he got his stitches out Saturday, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. 

Rodriguez is looking forward to beginning cardio exercises. He's expected to be out for the entire 2013 season.

Blue Jays pitcher Aaron Loup picked up his first save of the season during Friday's series opener against the Royals.

Loup entered the game in the seventh inning for Sergio Santos and pitched three perfect innings to secure an 8-4 victory. He struck out one and forced six ground-ball outs as he faced just nine batters for the save.

Loup has a 1.29 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP through his first seven innings of work.

Twins starter Liam Hendriks was better Wednesday in Kansas City than in his first turn through the rotation. In the end, however, he took his first loss of the season. 

Hendriks gave up just one earned run -- coming on a Billy Butler homer in the first with two outs -- over five solid innings. He gave up just four hits and walked none with four strikeouts. That said, Wade Davis was even better and the Twins were shut out 3-0. 

Hendriks (0-1) gave up four runs over 4 2/3 innings in his season debut at Baltimore. His ERA is 4.66 after two outings. The 24-year-old will look to right the ship when he next takes the hill Tuesday against the Angels. 

Mariners pitcher Brandon Maurer will remain in the rotation after his disastrous outing Tuesday, according to the Seattle Times.

"He has great stuff," manager Eric Wedge said. "He’s going to be a good major-league pitcher. He’ll just have to go through some things early on, like most of them do."

Maurer, who owns a 16.20 ERA, will face the Rangers Sunday in his next start.