MLB Player News

Manager Joe Maddon said during his pregame interview Tuesday that Robles is no longer the closer and the team will go "closer by committee," Trent Rush of Angels Radio Network reports.

Maddon backed Robles as his closer just Sunday but quickly changed his tune, and indeed passed Robles over for a save chance Tuesday night. Ty Buttrey got the ball and converted a four-out save against Seattle. Robles still has not pitched since Aug. 1, when he allowed three runs on four hits -- including two home runs -- to blow the save against the Astros. Robles has given up nine earned runs total in 3.2 innings this season.

Manager Joe Maddon said during his pregame interview Tuesday that Robles is no longer the closer and the team will go "closer by committee," Trent Rush of Angels Radio Network reports.

Maddon backed Robles as his closer just Sunday but quickly changed his tune, and indeed passed Robles over for a save chance Tuesday night. Ty Buttrey got the ball and converted a four-out save against Seattle. Robles still has not pitched since Aug. 1, when he allowed three runs on four hits -- including two home runs -- to blow the save against the Angels. Robles has given up nine earned runs total in 3.2 innings this season.

Hendriks (1-0) pitched a perfect ninth inning, striking out one and earning the win Tuesday versus the Rangers.

Manager Bob Melvin called on Hendriks with the game tied at one after eight innings. Hendriks did his part, and a walk-off grand slam from Stephen Piscotty gave the reliever his first win of the year. Through 4.1 innings, the right-handed Hendriks has a 1.69 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with eight strikeouts.

Anderson struck out both the batters he faced and did not allow a baserunner to earn the save Tuesday against the Red Sox.

The Rays led comfortably from the fifth inning on, with their bullpen hardly running into trouble until the final frame. In the ninth inning, Anderson was called upon with the bases loaded and a 5-1 lead. He responded by striking out both of the batters he faced to earn his first save of the campaign. It appeared early on this season that the Rays preferred to use Anderson in the highest-leverage situations -- not necessarily as the closer -- but even if that remains the case, he should run into a number of save opportunities throughout the season. His ability to rack up strikeouts and produce solid ratios are also useful, as he has yet to allow an earned run while also letting only two runners reach base through 3.1 innings.

Rodriguez (lat) was activated off the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

The left-hander has been sidelined since late June with the left lat strain, but he'll join the Rangers with three games left in Oakland. Rodriguez may be eased into high-leverage chances early on, but if he looks good he could see some save opportunities with Jose Leclerc (shoulder) on the 45-day injured list.

Tate (forearm) resumed throwing at the alternate training site recently, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Tate has been shut down with a sore right forearm since just before the regular season. While an exact timetable to return hasn't been established, manager Brandon Hyde said Tuesday that the right-hander is, "a couple weeks or less away" from his return if his rehab goes well. Once he's available, Tate should claim a middle relief role out of the bullpen.

Lopez (shoulder) will begin a throwing program Wednesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Lopez has been dealing with right shoulder inflammation and received treatment for several days to help his recovery. The right-hander will throw Wednesday for the first time since suffering the injury, after which a better timetable for his return could come into focus.

May recorded the save Tuesday against the Pirates by retiring the only two batters he faced. He did not have a strikeout.

The right-hander entered with one out, runners on first and second and the Twins winning 7-3, but he needed only five pitches to record the final two outs of the game. Closer Taylor Rogers has been lights out to begin the season, so May was likely called upon due to the unconventional save situation. The right-hander is off to a strong start in 2020 with one run given up through 4.2 innings and has a 8:2 K:BB, two holds and 1-0 record.

Graveman (neck) was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

Graveman battled neck stiffness during Sunday's start, but he'll be forced to miss several turns through the rotation after being diagnosed with neck spasms Tuesday. The Mariners were using a six-man rotation prior to the right-hander's injury, so the team could simply shift to a five-man group while he's on the shelf. Right-hander Joey Gerber and lefty Taylor Guilbeau were each added to the active roster in corresponding moves. It's unclear when Graveman could be ready to return to game action.

Weems was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a strained right lat, retroactive to Aug. 1.

Weems was effective in two relief innings Friday, allowing no runs on one hit and one walk while striking out two. However, he apparently suffered an injury around that time that will sideline him for several games. Right-hander James Kaprielian was promoted to the 30-man roster to take Weems' place. A timetable for Weems' return hasn't been announced.