MLB Player News

Angels starting pitcher Hector Santiago was solid during his start against the Royals on Sunday.

Santiago allowed just two runs on three hits in seven innings. He showed flaws in his command though, recording five strikeouts while allowing three walks in the no-decision.

Santiago (7-6) still has an impressive 2.86 ERA in 141 2/3 innings this season.

Mariners closer Carson Smith might not be the Mariners closer much longer if he continues to perform as he did Sunday against the host Red Sox.

Smith arrived in the ninth with a two-run lead and blew it. Two singles and a grounded resulted in one run and a Travis Shaw single tied the game. Only a toss-out at home prevented him from taking the loss.

The right-hander struck out the side in the 10th after a walk, but he has allowed at least one run in five of his last 10 appearances.

White Sox closer David Robertson closed a 3-1 win against the Cubs on Sunday, to earn his 24th save of the year. 

Robertson allowed a solo home run, the fifth time in his last seven appearances that he's allowed a run. 

If misery indeed loves company, Athletics starter Kendall Graveman was crazy about his relievers Sunday in Baltimore. The two that followed him to the mound performed worse than he did.

That's little consolation for Gravemen, who was pounded for six runs on eight hits in 3 1/3 innings to lower his record to 6-9. He walked one and fanned four.

The disaster began with a Gerardo Parra homer in the first inning and continued in the second with five hits, including two run-scoring doubles. An Adam Jones blast in the third made it 6-1 and all but sealed his fate.

Gravemen has lost five consecutive decisions, including two in which he failed to complete four innings. He has surrendered 25 runs in his last 32 2/3 innings pitched to send his ERA soaring to 4.27.

Blue Jays pitcher Aaron Loup was sent down to Triple-A after Sunday's win over the Yankees, reports SportsNet. Coup produced a 5.20 ERA over 36 1 /3 innings this season.

Astros starting pitcher Collin McHugh struck out seven batters in a no-decision against the Tigers on Saturday. 

McHugh allowed just one run on four hits in seven impressive innings of work. He now has a 4.09 ERA this season.

The Rays have optioned pitcher Kirby Yates to make room for Drew Smyly, who is set to start Sunday, per the Tampa Tribune.

Yates pitched twice in his latest stint in the bigs. He allowed three runs in two innings of relief against Boston.

A poor start Friday has Twins right-hander Trevor May headed back to the bullpen as Tyler Duffey has been rewarded with another chance to start, per ESPN.

Duffey performed very well Saturday night against Cleveland after a miserable major league debut.

The team has also announced that fellow pitcher Michael Tonkin, who was recalled Friday, has been optioned to Triple-A Rochester.

May opened the year in the rotation, but his start Friday was his first since July 1.

The Indians have officially recalled pitcher Josh Tomlin from Triple-A. Tomlin will start Saturday's game against the Twins, in what will be his first big-league action of the season.

To clear room for him on the roster, right-hander Shawn Armstrong was optioned to Triple-A Columbus. Armstrong made a pair of relief outings after being recalled last week. He did not allow a run in 2 2/3 innings of work.

Twins starter Trevor May suffered a loss to Cleveland on Friday, losing for the first time since July 1. That was also the date of May's last start. He made 13 relief appearances before starting again on Friday. 

May allowed two runs on five hits in three innings, his shortest start since June 26.