MLB Player News

Rays reliever Brad Boxberger took a walk on the wild side on Friday, but he managed to pick up his 30th save of the season in Friday's 2-1 win over the A's. 

Boxberger came into the game with a 2-0 lead, but he allowed three consecutive one-out hits, leading to a run. But he managed to get the final two outs, leaving the potential tying and winning runs in scoring position.

Boxberger has now been scored upon in three straight appearances, and five of his last seven. 

Brad Ausmus has indicated that the oblique injury that landed Tigers starter Daniel Norris on the disabled list could knock him out for the season.

"The strain looks to be a little bit worse than even initially diagnosed," Ausmus told MLive.com. "We're probably looking at a minimum of four weeks."

That makes the most optimistic timetable for his return Sept. 16, which would leave him little time to recuperate and get back on the mound.

Norris, who was the key piece in the trade that sent David Price to Toronto, had been getting clobbered before going down. He allowed 13 runs on 19 hits in his last 14 1/3 innings after a strong debut start in Baltimore.

Twins rookie starter Tyler Duffey gave up 10 hits Thursday in Baltimore, but that's the ultimate not-as-bad-as-it-sounds.

His victory had long been clinched when he allowed half of those hits in the eighth inning. His team had taken a 14-0 lead by then.

Duffey finished having yielded just two runs. He walked none and fanned eight in his second straight fine outing. Singles by Gerardo Parra and Caleb Joseph in the eighth ruined his shutout.

He has surrendered only two runs in 13 2/3 innings over his last two starts.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus announced right-hander Buck Farmer will get the start on Monday against the Reds, MLive.com reports. Farmer will make the start in place of Daniel Norris, who was placed on the disabled list on Thursday.

Farmer has made 11 appearances this year, including three starts. He has not pitched all that well, as he is 0-2 with a gaudy 8.39 ERA in 24 2/3 innings. 

Astros starter Collin McHugh was excellent in his outing against the Rays on Thursday. Unfortunately for him, he was on the wrong end of a Chris Archer one-hit shutout, as the Astros lost 1-0. McHugh did his part however, allowing one run on five hits over seven solid innings. He walked two and struck out five.

McHugh (13-7, 3.96 ERA) has been outstanding in August. In four starts this month, the right-hander is 1-2 but owns a very impressive 1.67 ERA over 27 innings.

The Astros recalled pitcher Vincent Velasquez while optioning pitcher Josh Fields to Double-A Corpus Christi on Thursday, the team announced.

Fields (4-1) has a 2.20 ERA in 41 innings this season. Velasquez tossed 41 2/3 innings with the Astros earlier this season before being sent to minors to fine-tune his skills for a postseason run.

Brad Ausmus has declared that Tigers starter Daniel Norris will be placed on the 15-day disabled list after leaving his outing Wednesday with right oblique strain, the Detroit Free Press has reported. He is scheduled for an MRI on Thursday.

Norris was taken out of the game in the fifth inning. It marked only his fourth start since his promotion from Triple-A Toledo.

Red Sox starter Joe Kelly needed a couple Houdini acts to escape unscathed Wednesday night against Cleveland, but in the end he emerged with his fourth consecutive victory.

The double play was his best friend. He induced three in the first five innings to prevent any earned runs from scoring against him. He allowed five hits in six innings with three walks and five strikeouts. The lone run he gave up was unearned and scored, ironically, on a double play.

Kelly has been far from sensational in his four wins. He has surrendered eight runs over 22 1/3 innings during that time. But he has evened his record to 6-6 in the process.

Athletics relief pitcher Drew Pomeranz recorded his second save of the season during his team's win over the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Pomeranz closed out the ninth inning of the 5-2 victory without allowing any walks or hits. He now has a 3.67 ERA in 73 2/3 innings this season.

Athletics starting pitcher Jesse Chavez looked good during his start against the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Chavez allowed two runs on two hits in eight solid innings of work. He struck out six batters and allowed only two walks. Chavez's lone mistake in tge game came on a two-run home run he allowed to Jimmy Rollins in the second inning.

With the win, Chavez improves to 7-12 on the season with a 3.75 ERA.