MLB Player News

The Tampa Bay Rays released outfielder and designated hitter Jack Cust on Saturday. Cust's release comes on the heels of another round of cuts for the Rays. They optioned infielder Cole Figueroa, outfielder Rich Thompson, pitcher Kirby Yates, first baseman Leslie Anderson and reliever Dane De La Rosa to minor league camp.

The Oakland Athletics claimed first baseman Nate Freiman off waivers from the Houston Astros on Saturday, MLB.com reports.

In order to clear a spot on the roster, Oakland placed relief pitcher Fernando Rodriguez on the 60-day disabled list. Rodriguez is likely done for the season and may need Tommy John surgery. 

Freiman is a Rule 5 draft pick, so the A's will have to keep him on the roster all season or offer him back to the Padres.

The Houston Astros are close to making their decision on whether to keep Rule 5 picks first baseman Nate Freiman or relief pitcher Josh Fields, reports MLB.com Saturday.

Fields, the No. 1 overall pick in the Rule 5 draft back in December, could make a wide-open bullpen for the Astros after appearing in eight games and allowing seven hits, six walks and three earned runs with four strikeouts.

Freiman, who has hit .278 this spring with a homer and seven RBI, has a tougher shot at making the club with the emergence of Brandon Laird and Brett Wallace's solid springs.

If the players do not make the club out of spring training, the Astros risk losing them to their original teams.

The Mariners announced Friday that infielder Nick Franklin and pitcher Carson Smith have been re-assigned to minor-league camp.

One of the Mariners' top hitting prospects, Franklin posted a .233/.294/.433 line in 30 spring at-bats. He'll work on conquering Triple-A pitching this season.Smith was excelling in his first spring-training look since being drafted in the eighth round in 2011, allowing just one earned run on three hits and a walk with eight strikeouts in seven innings of work.He should spend the early part of the year at Double-A but could soon push for a bullpen spot in the majors.

Twins pitcher Liam Hendriks allowed an unearned run in four innings of work against the Yankees Thursday, picking up his second win of the spring. He struck out two while allowing just one hit and two walks on the day. He came into day needing a good showing after surrending nine earned runs in 10 innings over his last three starts.

Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore threw 60 pitches in a simulated game Thursday after missing his turn through the rotation as a result of Wednesday's rainout. Moore is 0-2 with a 4.97 ERA and 1.58 WHIP through four spring outings (three starts). He has struck out 12 and walked eight in 12 2/3 innings.

Rays closer Fernando Rodney returned to the team Thursday after a successful stint in the World Baseball Classic with the Dominican Republic team. Rodney made eight appearances during the WBC, throwing 7 1/3 scoreless innings and recording seven saves. Rodney also allowed just one hit and three walks, while striking out eight.

Rodney, however, stressed Thursday the heavy workload won't impact his readiness for the regular season.

"I'm ready to go right now for the season,'' Rodney said to the Tampa Bay Times. "I feel good. .. I feel ready to go. My arm feels good, body, mentally, physically, everything's good. ... I don't feel any problems, I feel great.''

Rodney also isn't worried about wearing down as the season progresses. 

"I don't think about September,'' he said. "I think about staying healthy. If I stay healthy I know I can do my job.''

Rays closer Fernando Rodney pitched in all eight Dominican Republic games in the World Baseball Classic and, as a result, will be given five to six days off to rest, manager Joe Maddon told the Tampa Tribune.

Maddon also added that the team will have to monitor Rodney's workload this season. "So, do we keep more of an eye on him or do you just parcel out his work a little bit more in the beginning? I don't know," Maddon said. "Does it really benefit him during the course of the year somehow? Does it get us off to a better start? I don't know. But I think long range, by the end of the season, you almost have to count these appearances to the total number, so you have to really watch August and September."

Save speculators in deeper fantasy leagues should consider rostering setup men Joel Peralta and Jake McGee, as both could be in line for save chances throughout the year should Maddon decide to limit Rodney's innings in any way.

A minor-league game between the Rays and Twins scheduled for Wednesday has been rained out.

Matt Moore, who was scheduled to start for the Rays Wednesday, will pitch in a minor-league game Thursday instead. Roberto Hernandez will remain the Rays' starter for Thursday's matchup with the Blue Jays.

Mariners pitcher Brandon Maurer continued to boast his case for a spot on the 25-man roster in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Giants. He allowed one run on three hits over five innings of work. The right-hander also struck out four while not walking a batter.

Maurer has a 1.20 ERA in five appearances this spring with 15 strikeouts in 15 innings.