MLB Player News

Red Sox starter Joe Kelly won his second straight start, as Boston topped the Tigers 7-2 on Friday night. Kelly went 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs, both of which came on a two-run homer by J.D. Martinez in the fourth inning. He scattered seven hits, while walking two and striking out seven. He did have a high pitch count, throwing 96 pitches with 56 strikes.

Friday's performance represents the first time Kelly allowed fewer than four runs in a start since June 17, a stretch of five outings. 

Despite the positive outing, Kelly (4-6) still owns a hefty 5.96 ERA this season. 

Rays closer Brad Boxberger suffered his third blown save of the season, as he was the losing pitcher in the 4-3 loss to the Mets on Friday. Boxberger entered the game with a one-run lead in the ninth inning. 

But Boxberger allowed the lead-off batter to reach on his own throwing error, and then gave up a one-out, RBI double to Michael Conforto. The Mets scored again later in the inning, as both runs were unearned due to the error. 

Boxberger (4-7) has been the losing pitcher in consecutive appearances now, though he had converted 12 save chances in a row before Friday's mishap. 

The Twins made a couple of roster moves following Thursday's 9-3 loss to the Blue Jays. Catcher Chris Herrmann and right-handed reliever A.J. Achter have been recalled from Triple-A Rochester.

Herrmann was up earlier with the team, going 10 for 64 with a home run and eight RBI in 25 games as the back-up catcher. 

Achter will be looking to make his season debut for the Twins. He did make seven appearances in 2014, posting a 3.27 ERA in 11 innings of relief. At Triple-A this year, he is 4-2 with a 2.82 ERA and 14 saves in 40 appearances for the Red Wings.

In corresponding moves, right-hander Tyler Duffey was optioned to the minors and catcher Eric Fryer was designated for assignment, according to MLB.com.

Duffey endured a horrific MLB debut in his start against the Blue Jays on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Fryer has just three hits in 18 at-bats this season.

Perhaps the slump that has plagued Rangers starter Nick Martinez since spring turned into summer is over.

Martinez gave up just one run on one hit in five innings Wednesday against Houston to raise his record to 7-6. He walked three and struck out one.

The lone tally was on a Jed Lowrie double in the fourth inning, after Martinez had retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced.

It was arguably his finest outing since June 9. Martinez had yielded 24 runs in his previous 28 innings covering five starts.

Twins rookie right-hander Tyler Duffey had a rude welcoming to the big leagues, as he was roughed up in his Major League debut on Wednesday. The youngster allowed six runs on five hits over just two innings of work in the 9-7 loss to the Blue Jays.

The 24-year-old got off things off with a bang, as he allowed a two-run home run to Josh Donaldson with no outs in the first inning. He was able to escape the first without any further damage, but he allowed four more runs to score in the second--all on a grand slam by Jose Bautista.

Duffey had been pitching well in the minor leagues this year, but it remains to be seen if he will draw another start with the Twins after Wednesday's rough outing.

Athletics starter Kendall Graveman was unable to make an early 3-1 lead stand up, as the Orioles beat the A's 7-3 in extra innings on Wednesday. Graveman allowed three runs on six hits over 5 2/3 innings. He walked one and struck out three, throwing 79 pitches with 49 strikes.

Graveman put the A's down first, as he allowed a run in the top of the third. But the A's tied the game in the bottom half, and grabbed the lead with a two-run third inning. Graveman proceeded to give up a pair of RBI singles in the sixth however. He did not factor in the final decision.

The young right-hander has seen some uneven results recently. In his past six starts, he has two outings with no earned runs, and four others with three or more, including Wednesday. He is 1-3 with a 4.84 ERA over that stretch. 

The mediocrity that has marked the recent performance on the mound of Angels starter Hector Santiago was pronounced again Wednesday afternoon against host Cleveland.

Santiago gave up three runs on seven hits in six innings against an Indians lineup sans top hitters Jason Kipnis and Michael Brantley. He walked one and fanned seven.

He cruised through three innings, retiring eight in a row at one point. But he was hurt by an RBI single by Ryan Raburn in the fourth, solo homer by Jose Ramirez in the sixth and another by Raburn to start the seventh, which knocked him out of the game.

Santiago has surrendered 11 runs in his last 16 innings over three starts. His 2.78 ERA is at its peak since May 2.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus confirmed starting pitcher Buck Farmer is moving to the bullpen, as Matt Boyd will be joining the rotation Wednesday.

However, Farmer's demotion to the bullpen might not last long since he could start Saturday vs. Boston, if Alfredo Simon (groin) is sidelined.

The Tigers announced starting pitcher Matt Boyd, who was acquired in a the David Price trade with the Blue Jays last week, will make his Detroit debut Wednesday against the Royals. Buck Farmer was originally slated to start Wednesday.

Daniel Norris and Jairo Labourt were also acquired in the Price trade. Norris made his Tigers debut Sunday and it went extremely well. He allowed one run on four hits and one walk in 7 1/3 innings during a 6-1 win over the Orioles.

Boyd, who is also a left-hander, made two starts this season for Toronto. However, he lost both of them, while posting a 14.85 ERA.

He has had much better success in the minors, going 9-2 with a 1.65 ERA in 19 starts between Double-A and Triple-A this season. In his career, 2013 sixth-round pick is 15-12 with a 2.48 ERA in 272 minor-league innings.

Athletics starter Jesse Chavez was hit early and often in his outing against the Orioles on Monday. The right-hander allowed six runs on nine hits over just 3 2/3 innings. He threw 46 of 77 pitches for strikes, as the A's lost 9-2 on Monday.

Chavez (5-11) got off to a rocky start in this one, as he was down 3-0 before getting a chance to settle in. He gave up a three-run home run to Chris Davis in the very first inning. Caleb Joseph also touched up Chavez for a two-run blast in the fourth inning, as Chavez suffered his worst start of the season.

With the poor outing, Chavez's ERA rose to 3.88. He has now given up four or more runs in four of his past six starts, posting a 6.52 ERA over that stretch.