MLB Player News

Tampa Bay closer Fernando Rodney was able to shoot his first arrow on Wednesday as the Rays beat the Rangers on one of the coldest days in the history of the Ballpark at Arlington. 

Rodney gave up a hit in the ninth, but added a strikeout and needed 15 pitches to close out the 2-0 shutout win for his first save of the year. 

Rodney, who recorded 48 saves last year for the Rays, finally earned his first save in his third appearance of the season as he's allowed three earned runs over 2 2/3 frames with two strikeouts for an ERA of 10.13. 

Rays starter Matt Moore braved an hour and 34 minute rain delay and one of the coldest days in the history of the Ballpark at Arlington to beat the Rangers Wednesday. Moore was wild in the wet weather, but he got the job done. 

The 23-year-old Floridian flirted with a no-hitter but had his pitch count up way too high as he allowed just one hit over 5 1/3 innings with six walks. He managed to keep the Rangers off the board, however, in the 2-0 shutout win. 

Moore (2-0) struck out five batters over 106 pitches as he's yet to give up a run this season over 11 1/3 innings with 13 strikeouts. The only downside to Moore's production to this point is the eight walks, but his 0.97 WHIP has been outstanding. 

The young starter will look to move to 3-0 in his first three starts when he next takes the hill on Tuesday at Baltimore. 

After two rough starts to his major-league career, Mariners manager Eric Wedge deflected questions Tuesday night about rookie hurler Brandon Maurer making his next start Sunday against the Rangers. Wedge instead talked about Maurer's health after the rookie was struck by a line drive in his thigh in the first inning Tuesday, according to The Seattle Times.

"We have to make sure he’s OK first. He got hit pretty good there on that hip. We’ll see how he feels tomorrow," Wedge said. "That’s the first thing I’m concerned about. I want to make sure he’s OK after sleeping on it and coming in tomorrow. You love his arm, you love his stuff. He had a great spring. He deserves to be here."

Maurer has struggled with his pitch location after winning a spot in the rotation this spring. He is 0-2 with a 16.20 ERA and 2.40 WHIP. Maurer said he is "feeling all right" after getting struck by the baseball Tuesday.

"I was struggling a little bit, not making pitches when I need to make pitches, and they came out swinging,’’ he said.

The Times suggests if the Mariners make a change in the rotation, then the top options would be Danny Hultzen or Jeremy Bonderman since Erasmo Ramirez is on the 7-day disabled list in the minors.

Mariners pitcher Brandon Maurer struggled in his season debut and could not make it out of the first inning Tuesday night against the Astros.

The right-hander gave up three straight singles to begin the frame before recording his first out. Then Carlos Pena hit a two-run double before J.D. Martinez followed with an RBI single.

Maurer recorded the second out but after getting tagged for three more runs, he was pulled for Kameron Loe.

The 22-year-old ended up allowing six runs on seven hits over two-thirds of an inning. He also struck out two and walked one while taking the loss in a 16-9 defeat.

Maurer (0-2) is scheduled to pitch again on Sunday against the Rangers.

Due to an organizational rule, Boston pitching prospect Matt Barnes lasted just one inning during his Double-A debut Monday night, but was still able to make a quick impression. Barnes recorded all three outs via strikeout, but was pulled after 33 pitches -- the Red Sox have capped their young arms at 30 pitches per inning and remove the pitcher from the game if he hits that total.

"I liked what I saw," pitching coach Bob Kipper told the Portland Press Herald. "That's electric stuff."

Barnes, considered the team's top pitching prospect by MLB.com, was on the hook for two runs and two hits while showcasing solid velocity on his fastball and improved off-speed pitches. Of his 33 pitches, 21 went for strikes.

"That's not how you draw up your first one, but overall I can't be too upset," said Barnes, who posted a tantalizing 133-to-29 strikeout-to-walk ratio across two Class A levels last season in his first professional campaign. "If I have stuff like that all year, I think it'll be pretty good."

After a rough debut start in the majors, Mariners pitcher Brandon Maurer is looking for some improvement during his second outing.

Maurer admitted to being nervous during his first start, but believes he'll be more calm Tuesday. Maurer said, "I got the nerves out a little bit and definitely learned. So I'm looking forward to going out there this time and building off my last start."

Maurer will face the Astros, who have been prone to striking out in their first seven games. 

Yankees setup man David Robertson has made two appearances through the team's first six games. Robertson hasn't allowed a run in two innings, yielding two hits and striking out two.

However, Robertson hasn't entered a game in a hold situation. He made his season debut Friday during an 8-3 loss to Detroit and was back in action Sunday during a 7-0 win.

The Astros have placed reliever Josh Fields on the 15-day disabled list with a right forearm strain Monday, according to MLB.com. Fields had one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning this season before landing on the DL.

Rays closer Fernando Rodney entered Sunday's game against Cleveland in the ninth inning looking to get some work in with the Indians leading 11-0. Unfortunately, Rodney made things worse for Tampa Bay. 

Rodney, who saved 48 games for the Rays last season, allowed a two-run home run to Carlos Santana in the ninth. He gave up two runs on three hits and no walks with a strikeout and only managed two outs before being replaced by Carlos Ramos.

Rodney has allowed three earned runs on four hits and a walk over 1 2/3 innings in two appearances with just a strikeout and a 16.20 ERA. He did manage to earn a win over Baltimore in his first appearance after blowing his first save. 

Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore turned in a dominant performance as he picked up the win in Friday's series opener against the Indians.

Moore (0-1), who made his first start of the season, pitched six scoreless innings of two-hit ball in a 4-0 victory. He also struck out eight and walked two on 100 pitches.

"It's really just a matter of keeping that tempo where it was in that exhibition game against Detroit. I felt like it was right there," Moore said. "Just by the results of that outing, it felt like something picked up. For me, it was my tempo. That cleaned up everything."

Moore will take the mound again Wednesday at Texas. He has yet to face the Rangers in his career and went 4-6 with a 4.14 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP in 14 starts on the road last season.