MLB Player News

Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris will throw a light session off a mound Sunday in an effort to return before the season ends, reports MLB.com.

Norris has a strained right oblique, which he suffered last month and his next step will depend on how Sunday's session goes.

"It's kind of been expedited, interestingly enough," Norris said, "but I'm feeling good. So it's just kind of a day-to-day thing. I've been doing some weight room testing, and it's been encouraging."

Athletics starter Jesse Chavez continued his recent trend of poor outings, as he struggled again on Saturday against the Mariners. Chavez allowed five runs on six hits over two-plus innings. He walked five and struck out two, throwing just 24 of his 60 pitches for strikes. 

Chavez (7-14, 4.17 ERA) got off to a rocky start, as he allowed three runs in top of the first inning. He gave up a lead-off single in the third inning which was followed by a two-run home run by Logan Morrison. He walked the next batter, and that was all that manager Bob Melvin needed to see before making a switch.

The right-hander is now 2-3 with a 5.25 ERA in his last six starts, and his season ERA is at the highest mark of the season.

Brad Boxberger's last outing on Wednesday resulted in just his fifth blown save of the season, but he was able to rebound Saturday, shutting down the Yankees in the ninth to preserve the Rays' 3-2 win. 

With the save, Boxberger continues to lead the American League with 34. He was able to retire the side in order in the ninth thanks to three fly-ball outs. 

Rays starter Matt Moore made his return to the rotation and pitched well, but wound up one out short of qualifying for a victory in Tampa Bay's eventual triumph. 

Moore, who was making his first start for the Rays since Aug. 1 and his seventh this season, went 4 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on three hits. He struck out three and walked two, but the Rays took him out of the contest after just 79 pitches. 

Moore (1-3) has not won since July 12 and his ERA remains at 8.04. 

After a miserable start to the season, Red Sox pitcher Joe Kelly has now won his last seven starts after Friday's 7-5 win over the Phillies.

Kelly picked up a quality start after allowing two runs on five hits over six innings of work. He also struck out five and walked three. He is now 9-6 with a 4.84 ERA.

Kelly has earned a quality start in his last five outings.

Tigers reliever Jeff Ferrell has been recalled from Triple-A Toledo, MLive.com is reporting. He made two appearances for the team in early July before getting sent back down.

The 24-year-old Ferrell hasn't exactly been tearing it up in Toledo. He owns a 4.76 ERA in 11 appearances there after a strong stretch in Double-A. But he has performed better lately with a 3.12 ERA in his last eight games.

Following Thursday's blowout loss, the Tigers optioned reliever Guido Knudson to Triple-A Toledo. 

Knudson has not had a good start to his young career, as he owns a 18.00 ERA through four relief appearances since his first call-up to the big leagues back on Aug. 22. He has been scored upon in all four of his outings.

In related moves, the Tigers will recall pitcher Jeff Ferrell and infielder Dixon Machado from Toledo prior to Friday's game. 

White Sox closer David Robertson struck out a batter in a clean ninth inning, preserving Thursday's 6-4 win over the Twins. Robertson needed just 14 pitches to record his 28th save of the year.

The right-hander hadn't pitched since throwing two innings and getting the win on Sunday. He has successfully converted eight of his last nine save opportunities. 

The Twins gave starter Tyler Duffey a four-run cushion to play with Tuesday night - against Chris Sale, no less - and he threw almost all of it away.

He also threw away any chance of a victory by going only 4 2/3 innings against the visiting White Sox and yielding three runs on three hits with three walks and two strikeouts.

Duffey faced the minimum number of batters through four on one hit, then retired the first two in the fifth. But two singles and three walks that followed resulted in three runs and forced his departure.

The rookie right-hander had allowed only four runs in 21 previous innings. His poor effort raised his ERA to 4.56.

Angels pitcher Hector Santiago struggled throughout his start Monday against the A's, which the Angels lost 11-5.

Santiago received the loss after allowing five runs on four hits over 2 2/3 innings. He also struck out four and walked three.

Santiago is winless in his last eight starts.