MLB Player News

With Rays pitcher Matt Moore completing a 35-pitch bullpen session Monday with no issues, Moore will start Thursday's game against the Indians, reports The Tampa Tribune.

Moore has not pitched in the major leagues since undergoing Tommy John surgery last season.

"It almost seems as if the last 14 months were kind of foggy when I was thinking of certain moments," Moore said, per MLB.com. "To be back here, finally, knowing I don't have another plane ride and no more rehab starts, it feels good."

Athletics pitcher Pat Venditte, dealing with a right shoulder strain, 80 pitches while playing catch, according to the Bay Area News Group. 

Venditte, an ambidextrous pitcher, threw 40 pitches right-handed and 40 pitches left-handed. Half of those pitches were from 60 feet and the other half were from 75 feet. Venditte has been on the disabled list since June 10. 

"From a mental perspective, it's very encouraging and where I wanted to be after doing the rehab process and seeing where we were," Venditte said, per MLB.com. "I'm happy with it."

Venditte is scheduled to throw again this Wednesday. 

Athletics starting pitcher Jesse Chavez allowed three earned runs in a loss to the Royals on Sunday.

Chavez pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowed six hits and three runs before being pulled from the ballgame. His command was spotty as he struck out four batters but walked another two. Chavez threw five innings of scoreless baseball, but was rocked for three runs in the sixth inning.

Chavez is now 4-7 on the season, and has a 3.02 ERA with 77 strikeouts in 89 1/3 innings of work.

Angels starter Hector Santiago was solid Sunday, but didn't factor in the decision after his team rallied for an extra-inning victory over the Mariners. 

Santiago gave up just three hits in his seven innings of work, giving up one run while striking out six batters. But he continued his season-long pattern of no-decisions, with five of his last six outings ending up with the pitcher without a mark on his ledger. 

Santiago, who hasn't won since May 29, is 4-4 with a 2.58 ERA. 

White Sox reliever Zach Putnam gave up a walk-off home run with one out in the ninth inning on Sunday to lose to Detroit. 

Putnam dropped to 1-3 on the season, giving up a run in his second relief appearance in a row. 

Putnam entered a tie game with one out in the eighth and stranded a runner. He struck out two and the only hit he allowed was the walk-off. He hadn't given up a run in 11 appearances, dating back to May 19. 

Collin McHugh was on top of his game Sunday, powering through the Yankees lineup during his eight innings of work, allowing just two singles as the Astros earned a 3-1 victory. 

McHugh picked up his third straight victory while striking out eight batters and walking two. He threw 106 pitches and delivered 18 first-pitch strikes to the 28 batters he faced. 

Over his last three starts, McHugh has allowed just six earned runs to drop his ERA from 5.08 to 4.51. 

Rays pitcher Andrew Bellatti threw a 26-pitch live batting practice session and reported no issues, per TampaBay.com.

Bellatti is on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder soreness. He's expected to start a short minor league rehab assignment this week.

Mariners reliever Fernando Rodney converted his first save opportunity since June 2 on Friday. 

Rodney was taken out of the closer role at the start of the month, but Friday's appearance may be a sign that he's ready to get his job back. 

“My hope,” manager Lloyd McClendon said, “is Rodney becomes that lock-down ninth-inning guy again. I think we’re a better club if he’s in the ninth," per the News Tribune.

Rays pitcher Matt Moore made what should be his final rehab start on Saturday. The left-hander went five innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits. He walked three and struck out eight, throwing 94 pitches for Triple-A Durham.

The Rays have not officially announced when Moore will make his season-debut, but it appears likely he will be activated at some point next week, as his recovery from Tommy John surgery is all but over.

Yankees closer Dellin Betances worked a scoreless ninth inning to record his sixth save of the season in the 9-6 win over the Astros on Saturday. Betances gave up a two-out double, but was otherwise his typically-dominant self. He is now 5-for-6 in save chances this season.