MLB Player News

Red Sox pitcher Joe Kelly is just dealing with right shoulder soreness and the issue isn't serious, 93.7 WEEI FM reports.

Kelly was shut down for the season due to the shoulder issue, but fortunately there's nothing more serious underlying. The 27-year-old will finish the season posting a 4.82 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with 110 strikeouts over 134.1 innings. He will enter the offseason in his first year of arbitration, but the injury shouldn't have much impact on the negotiations nor his availability for the 2016 season.

Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore turned in seven dominant innings Thursday, striking out nine Orioles while allowing no runs on two hits and zero walks, but was stuck with a no-decision.

Alex Colome came in and gave up four runs in the eighth inning to blow the game, depriving Moore of a win in what was easily his best start of the year. This was a version of Moore that we hadn't seen in a long time, so this outing qualifies as wonderful news for his fantasy owners. He next faces a Boston team that scored six runs off him Aug. 1 and eight (six earned) last Saturday -- if he can turn things around Tuesday against the Red Sox, he'll put himself squarely on the radar for next year.

White Sox closer David Robertson didn't close for anyone but the Athletics on Thursday. He took the loss and was charged with his seventh blown save of the season in a 4-2 defeat. He surrendered three hits, three earned runs and walk in one inning while also striking out a batter.

Robertson invited trouble by yielding a one-out double to Brett Lawrie and a single to Danny Valencia before allowing Billy Butler to plate both with a round-tripper to right field.

After a streak of eight consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run, Robertson has now given up seven runs (five earned) over his last two innings. The blown save also broke his streak of six consecutive successful save conversions.

Athletics starter Sean Nolin took a no-decision on Thursday against the White Sox, surrendering five hits, two earned runs and three walks in five innings.

Nolin turned in another solid effort in his third start since his Sept. 4 call-up from Triple-A Nashville. The young southpaw has given up three runs or less in all three appearances, with control being his most visible weakness. Nolin has surrendered eight walks in 16 2/3 innings pitched for a robust 4.44 BB/9 rate, a number well above his 2.99 metric over 485 2/3 minor-league frames.

Nolin figures to receive at least two more starts to further his development before the 2015 campaign concludes.

Yankees setup man Dellin Betances didn't set up closer Andrew Miller all that effectively Wednesday against Tampa Bay, but he did work around three walks to pitch 1 1/3 shutout innings to help his team win.

Betances still sports an impressive 118:35 K:BB ratio in 75 1/3 innings of work. Wednesday was his 25th hold of the year to go along with eight saves filling in for Miller.

Twins reliever Trevor May was unavailable Wednesday due to a lower back/hip issue, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

"It just feels a little tweaky on him," manager Paul Molitor said. "I'm hoping it's nothing serious. I'm optimistic. I think he worked through some things today. We'll probably have a better read (Thursday)."

May might not have been available Wednesday after appearing in Tuesday's game. May has thrived since moving to a setup role, but has struggled recently with a 8.44 ERA in his last five outings.

Twins pitcher Tyler Duffey will get the start Sunday in place of Phil Hughes, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports. 

Hughes has lost each of his last three starts, allowing a total of 16 earned runs over his last 11 2/3 innings. He'll have his scheduled start bumped back, and Duffey will take the hill Sunday on five days of rest. Duffey earned the win Monday against Detroit, allowing seven hits but only one earned run over 6.1 innings.

Red Sox pitcher Joe Kelly (shoulder) has been officially shut down for the season, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports. 

Interim manager Torey Lovullo indicated this was likely after Kelly's outing Tuesday was cut short by shoulder tightness/fatigue, but the team officially ended the right-hander's 2015 season Wednesday. Kelly has been sent back to Boston for an MRI on the shoulder. Rich Hill, who shined in his first start, figures to stick in the Boston rotation.

The Tigers have activated starter Daniel Norris (oblique) off the disabled list and announced he will pitch Wednesday against Minnesota.

The move is essentially a formality after the team declared Monday that Norris would take the hill against the Twins. Norris will likely be capped around 50 pitches, however, so he's not of much use in daily formats.

Astros pitcher Collin McHugh gave up five runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out four over 3 2/3 innings Tuesday against the Rangers. 

McHugh has now given up 10 runs on 14 hits and five walks over his last two starts (nine innings), so it is hard to start the righty with confidence going forward.

His ERA now sits at 4.05 through 182 innings -- a far cry from the 2.73 mark he posted in 154.2 innings last season. McHugh's next start will come Sunday at home against the A's.