MLB Player News

Athletics starting pitcher Kendall Graveman is headed to the 15-day disabled list with an oblique strain, the team announced Monday. 

Graveman had to leave his last start Sunday after six shutout innings due to the injury. He is 6-9 with a 4.05 ERA in 21 starts this season. 

Oakland recalled infielder Max Muncy from Triple-A Nashville to fill his spot on the roster. 

Athletics pitcher Kendall Graveman took a no-decision against Tampa Bay on Sunday, extending his winless streak to eight consecutive starts. 

Graveman is 0-5 with three no-decisions since his last win. He pitched six shutout innings on Sunday, a turnaround from his last three outings, when he had a 7.24 ERA. 

Bob Melvin has announced that Athletics starter Kendall Graveman has an oblique strain and could be out a little while, per MLB.com.

Graveman hurled six shutout innings Sunday against Tampa Bay, but was removed after throwing 84 pitches.

It remains to be seen if he can make his next start, which is scheduled for Saturday at Arizona, or if he is destined for a stint on the disabled list.

The impending return of Rick Porcello to the rotation has motivated the Red Sox to option fellow starter Matt Barnes to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Reliever Jonathan Aro will take the place of Barnes on  the roster until Porcello is activated for a start Wednesday against the White Sox, per MLB.com.

Barnes did not distinguish himself in two starts this week, losing both decisions and allowing 11 runs in 10 1/3 innings. He has given up eight homers in 23 appearances this season.

Following Saturday night's loss to the White Sox, the Mariners optioned reliever Danny Farquhar to Triple-A Tacoma. Farquhar took the loss on Saturday, as he allowed three runs (one earned) to score in the top of the 10th inning.

Mariners reliever Fernando Rodney was designated for assignment following Saturday's loss to the White Sox. Rodney, who signed a two-year deal with the Mariners prior to the 2014 season, has really struggled in 2015.

In 54 appearances, the right-hander posted a hefty 5.68 ERA and a 1.500 WHIP in 50 2/3 innings. He struck out just 7.6 batters per nine innings, his lowest mark since 2011.

Rodney has been particularly bad in the month of August. In 10 outings this month, he owns a 6.23 ERA.

In 2012, Rodney finished fifth in the American League Cy Young award voting, when he saved 48 games and posted a miniscule 0.60 ERA with the Rays.

White Sox closer David Robertson needed 12 pitches to retire the side in order, protecting a 6-3 victory over the Mariners on Saturday. Robertson struck out a batter en route to recording his 25th save of the season.

Athletics reliever Drew Pomeranz suffered his second blown save of the season on Saturday against the Rays. Pomeranz entered the ninth innning with the A's leading 4-3, but the left-hander coughed up the lead, and the Rays went on to win 5-4.

Pomeranz has been fairly effective since being moved to the bullpen. In eight outings prior to Saturday, he posted a 0.93 ERA in 9 2/3 innings of relief. 

Making just his second big-league start, Red Sox rookie pitcher Matt Barnes did not have a good outing against the Royals on Saturday. Barnes allowed five runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings, en route to the 6-3 loss.

Barnes (3-4, 6.89 ERA) allowed two runs in the top of the first inning, and then settled in a bit. But he struggled in the sixth inning, when he gave up three runs, including a two-run home run to Salvador Perez.

Barnes has now given up 11 runs in 10 1/3 innings over his first two starts. 

Angels left-hander Hector Santiago did not fare well in his start against the Blue Jays on Friday. Santiago lasted just 3 2/3 innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on three hits. He struggled with his command in this one, as he walked four and struck out four, en route to the 9-2 loss.

Santiago (7-7, 2.91 ERA) was done in by shotty defense and poor control in this one. He got off to a bad start, as he allowed three runs to score in the first inning. One of those came on a bases-loaded walk, and another came on a fielding error.

He is 0-2 with a 4.10 ERA in four starts in August.