MLB Player News

Twins pitcher Trevor May (back) was unavailable in Monday's game, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports

May pitched an inning Sunday for the first time in a week, but he simply can't shake this back issue, though it's to his credit that he keeps coming back to the mound instead of just shutting things down while the Twins have been taking aim at a playoff spot in the season's final weeks.

Athletics starting pitcher Sean Nolin was not sharp Sunday, giving up five runs (three earned) on seven hits and one walk in just 2 1/3 innings of work against the Giants.

That's now back-to-back miserable starts for the young lefty, as he gave up five runs on seven hits through five innings last time out against the Rangers. Through five starts, Nolin has posted a 5.25 ERA and 1.67 WHIP, with a disappointing 13:11 K:BB to boot.

Red Sox pitcher Matt Barnes, who has not allowed a run since returning to the Red Sox on Sept. 12, has been better in this stint in the majors because he's throwing first-pitch strikes, the Boston Globe reports.

"I think the bottom line is Strike 1 with Matt Barnes," interim manager Torey Lovullo said. "If he gets a strike on you, with that velocity and at that angle, it can be very challenging."

Barnes has given up just one walk, while striking out six in seven innings since returning to Boston. Getting ahead in the count and limiting walks has been key for Barnes this time around. And so has keeping the ball in the park. Barnes, who had surrendered eight homers in 32 2/3 previous innings, has not given up a long ball since the September callup.

Trevor Gott is the leading candidate to head the Angels' closing committee for the remainder of the season, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

The Angels, who find themselves a half game behind the Astros in the AL wild-card race, will now have to make do without their closer, as Huston Street suffered what appeared to be a serious groin injury after he needed to be helped off the field in the ninth inning of Saturday's contest.

Manager Mike Scioscia mentioned the Angels would likely go with a committee approach to the ninth inning, Gott should rank as the team's top option after emerging as a key setup man for Street in recent weeks. The 23-year-old has posted a 3.07 ERA across 44 innings with the big club this season, although it has come with a rather middling 25:15 K:BB ratio.

Along with Gott, look for Fernando Salas and Mike Morin to fill vital roles at the back end of the Angels bullpen.

Angels closer Huston Street suffered a groin injury while trying to make a play at third base Saturday night, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Shaikin also said that it is unlikely for Street to return to the team during the regular season. Manager Mike Scioscia said "it's not good" when asked about the injury. The Angels will use a closer by committee for the time being, with Trevor Gott seeming to be in line for the biggest jump in appearances.

Twins starter Tyler Duffey (5-1) surrendered eight hits, two earned runs and a walk over six innings in Saturday's 6-2 victory over the Tigers. He struck out three.

That's four consecutive quality starts for the young right-hander, who has shown considerable promise over the first nine appearances of his career. Duffey has given up only five earned runs over the 26 innings that his most recent four efforts have spanned, good for an impressive 1.73 ERA.

He also has posted an impressive 25:5 K:BB ratio during that period and has not surrendered a homer in any of his five September starts. Duffey will have one more opportunity this season to continue to build on the momentum he has already built towards the 2016 campaign.

Astros SP Collin McHugh recovered from a rough first inning to pick up his 18th win of the season Saturday, allowing four runs on eight hits and a walk over 6 2/3 innings while striking out six.

He spotted the Rangers three runs in the opening frame, but settled down after that and let the Astros bats get to work. McHugh has now won four of five September starts despite a 4.31 ERA over that stretch, and he'll take the mound one more time in the regular season, facing the Diamondbacks on the road Friday.

White Sox closer David Robertson tossed a clean ninth inning to record his 32nd save in the White Sox 5-2 win over the Yankees on Friday night

Robertson has 32 saves in 39 chances - certainly not an automatic ending to games, and he has suffered a rough September. He went through a stretch of three games where he allowed nine runs (seven earned), and that has been a good depiction of his season - stretches of dominance, and stretches of extreme vulnerability.

Rays pitcher Matt Moore will make his next start Tuesday against the Marlins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Moore was scheduled to make his next start Sunday, but he will receive an extra day of rest between his starts.

As a result, Matt Andriese will make a spot start Sunday in his place, while Moore will be pushed back to Tuesday. While it's possible Moore will make another start before the end of the season, it's also possible Tuesday will be his last go around.

Rays pitcher Matt Andriese will start for the Rays on Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. 

Andriese will join the rotation for a spot start Sunday as the Rays attempt to give Matt Moore extra rest between starts. It's possible he will make another start before the season ends, but it seems more likely that this will be his last of the 2015 campaign.