MLB Player News

Athletics pitcher Pat Venditte has begun playing catch and he may start throwing off a mound later this week, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.

Venditte is dealing with a strained right shoulder, which has kept him sidelined since June 10.

Rays starting pitcher Erasmo Ramirez (groin) played catch instead of throwing a bullpen session Tuesday, according to the Tampa Bay Times. 

The plan is for Alex Colome to start Friday against the Red Sox and have Ramirez rejoin the rotation June 30 against the Indians.

The Reds have been contacted by multiple teams regarding starting pitcher Johnny Cueto, starting pitcher Mike Leake and closer Aroldis Chapman, according to Fox Sports. However, the Reds have been reluctant to engage in serious trade talks.

The Royals are one team that have contacted the Reds about Cueto and Leake, according to Fox Sports.

Rays left-hander Matt Moore will make his next rehab start on Friday for Triple-A Durham. Moore has already made four starts in the minors, including Sunday with Triple-A, as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

He owns a 2.76 ERA through 16 1/3 innings during his rehab assignment.

Manager Kevin Cash said Friday's start should be his final rehab appearance, and Moore is expected to make his first big-league start since April 2014 next week, according to USA Today. 

"[Moore] is itching to go," Cash said, per MLB.com. "We're thrilled about that. It's exciting. That will probably be the biggest boost we've had all year, getting one of our pitchers back. He's worked extremely hard. We did ask him through conversations, 'Let's go make one more start in Triple-A.' And then we'll look to insert him after that start. If all goes well, he'll be with us."

The Indians relief corps got a lot younger Tuesday when Austin Adams was promoted from Triple-A Columbus and fellow right-hander Scott Atchison was designated for assignment.

Adams proved impressive in his last stint with the team. His fastball peaked at 100 mph and he compiled a 2.38 ERA.

The 39-year-old Atchison began the season on a roll, even earning appearances as the setup man, before collapsing. He has allowed 10 earned runs in his last nine innings pitched.

Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore, who threw 92 pitches in his latest rehab start Sunday for Triple-A Durham, will throw his scheduled bullpen session Tuesday at Tropicana Field in Tampa, according to The Tampa Tribune.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said the team will decide Moore's next start following Tuesday's throwing session.

“There’s a lot of factors,” Cash said. “We got to see the health of our pitchers, where Erasmo’s at for his upcoming start. We like where Matt Moore is at, for sure, but we got to do what’s right by him, that being our priority.”

Angels pitcher Hector Santiago allowed only one run in a no-decision during Monday night’s 4-3 win over the Astros.

Santiago went six innings and only gave up two hits in the game. He struck out four batters while walking one. That gives Santiago 19 strikeouts over his past three starts.

Santiago now has an ERA of 2.68 this season.

His next start is projected for Sunday against the Mariners.

Blue Jays reliever Bo Schultz struck out three batters in 2 2/3 innings during a 13-9 loss Sunday against the Orioles. He didn't allow a run or hit during his outing, while allowing just two walks.

Since his promotion from the minors in late May, the right-hander has a 1.74 ERA through 10 1/3 innings. He has totaled seven strikeouts and has at least one strikeout in each of his five appearances.

Schultz has not thrown less than one inning in any of his five outings. He has thrown 2 2/3 innings twice.

Rays left-hander Matt Moore made his fourth rehab start and his first with Triple-A Durham on Sunday. Moore, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, went 5 /13 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits including two home runs. He walked one and struck out seven, throwing 92 pitches, 67 for strikes.

The Rays have not announced the next step in Moore's recovery. Moore has not pitched in the majors since April 2014.

The term "hard-luck loser" can sometimes be used generously. But it certainly applied to Rays starter Alex Colome in a Cleveland victory on Sunday.

"Really, really competitive day for Colome," Rays catcher Curt Casali said, per MLB.com. "Especially after the last outing. For him to just completely flush that and come out here and work his butt off.

Colome was cruising along with a perfect game until a Michael Bourn infield single in the sixth that could have been ruled an error on second baseman Logan Forsythe. He finished with one hit allowed in seven innings, walking two and fanning four. But he also finished with a no-decision.

"It was really nice to see him bounce back after his last outing," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "He made some adjustments and faced a really tough lineup with all the lefties. A couple of very hot hitters in there."

The right-hander certainly feels better about his latest start than he did his previous one, when he surrendered six runs in two innings. Now sporting a 4.50 ERA, he will try to remain in a groove next Saturday against Boston.