MLB Player News

Moore will have his next start pushed back from Saturday to Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

With the southpaw having failed to get past the fifth inning in his last trio of starts, manager Kevin Cash opted to give his struggling pitcher extra time before taking the hill again. The official reason for the move is to split up the rotation's two lefties-- Moore and Drew Smyly-- who have pitched back-to-back since April 9. However, with Moore particularly struggling with his command, it also provides the 26-year-old with extra time on the sidelines to work on his mechanics. "I think it's the same as any pitcher that's struggling, along the lines of Chris Archer, it's the lapses in command," pitching coach Jim Hickey said. "But that's something that, I don't want to say plagued him, but it's been an issue from day one." Moore did not express dissatisfaction with the change that will now see him face off against the Marlins on Monday, and used the extra time between starts to get in an extended bullpen session Tuesday.

Webb surrendered only one hit in a scoreless eighth inning in Tuesday's 12-2 victory over the Blue Jays.

The 30-year-old reliever has now turned in four straight scoreless appearances since giving up five hits and three runs (two earned) over 1.2 innings over a pair of outings in late April and early May. He also escaped with just some residual swelling when a line drive struck off his glove, hitting him on the side of his jaw. Webb has been effective for the short stretches of work he's been tabbed for, pitching no more than 1.1 innings in any trip to the mound this season. He's in the midst of a solid stretch, having lowered his ERA almost two full runs to 3.75 over his last four appearances.

Smith is battling lingering forearm soreness and he could require another stint on the disabled list if his condition does not improve, Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald reports.

This is concerning news for Smith as the former shutdown reliever has been battling forearm issues since spring training and he has needed significant rest between appearances since coming off the DL in early May. Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports that Smith will be evaluated following his next outing, at which point his status should come into focus a bit more.

Smith has pitched just three times since being activated off the disabled list two weeks ago, WEEI.com reports.

Since making his debut May 3, Smith has gone six days and five days, respectively between appearances. He said he's still feeling the effects of a forearm injury that cropped up during spring training. "Sometimes I feel great the next day," he told WEEI.com. "Sometimes there may be a hint of something there. They told me that's what happens with these types of injuries, so we're just taking it day by day." Signed as high-leverage-situation reliever with a wipeout slider, Smith considers himself a work-in-progress at this point of the season.

Robertson threw two perfect innings in a non-save situation against the Astros on Tuesday.

He struck out two while pitching in a tie game. He only needed 21 pitches to record his six outs, so the extended appearance should not impact his availability for Wednesday.

Kelly (shoulder) is expected to start Saturday against the Indians, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

The right-hander seemed the most likely candidate for the start with Sean O'Sullivan designated for assignment and Eduardo Rodriguez still experiencing knee issues, and manager John Farrell all but confirmed that Kelly will indeed get the nod. Kelly remains difficult to trust, but he did turn in a strong performance in his most recent start with Triple-A Pawtucket, tossing 6.1 scoreless frames while striking out 10. He's issued a total of three walks in his three rehab starts (14.1 innings).

Green was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday, Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal reports.

Green joined the Yankees rotation for a spot start Monday against the Diamondbacks, but it was short-lived as he managed to go just four innings out in the desert. He allowed four runs on eight hits, two of which were home runs, before being pulled from the contest. Green will head back to the minors, where he has been dominant this season, recording a 1.22 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 37.0 innings.

Chavez will appeal his three-game suspension for his role in Sunday's brawl with the Rangers, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

There was a sense Chavez might just accept the appeal, seeing as he pitched Sunday and Monday and probably would have been unavailable for a couple days anyway. However, Chavez will appeal and will be available out of the Jays' bullpen until a ruling is handed down.

Chavez has been suspended three games by Major League Baseball for his role in Sunday's benches-clearing brawl with the Rangers, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reports. Chavez will begin serving his suspension immediately.

Chavez pitched in each of the last two games, so it makes sense for the reliever to begin serving it right away, rather than attempting an appeal. The right-hander will sit out Tuesday and Wednesday against the Rays, and he'll serve the final game of the ban Thursday when the Jays open a four-game set with the Twins in Minneapolis. Chavez will be eligible to return Friday night for Game 2 of the Twins series.

Venditte was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reports.

With the Blue Jays bullpen in shambles due to injuries, they decided to bring back Venditte after three straight scoreless appearances with the Bisons. He'll likely act as one of the main left-handers in the bullpen considering that Brett Cecil, Franklin Morales and Aaron Loup are all the on the disabled list. To make room for Venditte in the bullpen, right-hander Dustin Antolin was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo.