MLB Player News

Nick Martinez delivered his fourth straight strong start to open the season, but once again had a no-decision on his ledger as the Rangers rallied in the 11th inning to pull out a 5-4 win Sunday over the Angels. 

Martinez went six innings without giving up a run, scattering seven hits while striking out two and walking a pair. In four starts this season, Martinez has given up one earned run. His ERA is 0.35. 

Martinez has picked up no-decisions in his last two starts despite allowing just 12 hits and one run in 12 innings. 

Athletics pitcher Drew Pomeranz allowed five runs, three earned, on six hits in five innings of work in Oakland's 7-6 loss to the Astros Sunday.

Pomeranz's issues began in the third when the first two batters of the inning reached safely before he walks Jed Lowrie to load the bases for Evan Gattis, who then singled to right to bring home two runs. Colby Rasmus then singled to right to bring home one more run in the inning.

The struggles continued in the fourth when Jake Marisnick ripped a two-run shot over the left center field wall, scoring Jason Castro. He would last one more inning before getting the hook.

Pomeranz, who remains 1-2 on the year, now boasts a 4.50 ERA in 22 innings. He will look to get back on track Saturday against the Rangers.

White Sox closer David Robertson worked a two-hit ninth inning, but did not allow a run en route to his third save of the season in Chicago's 5-3 win over the Royals Sunday.

Robertson allowed two singles in the ninth, but his two strikeouts and groundout by Omar Infante was good enough to end the game.

"It probably was an interesting situation for him essentially starting a game," White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers said of Robertson's throwing twice Sunday. "The typical Robertson. Came in, shut them down, gave us a chance in the bottom and on the save right there, he just missed a couple spots and ended up giving up the base hits. But other than that, he went right back to executing pitches."

Robertson is yet to allow a run in his seven innings of work with 14 strikeouts and just one walk.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin made a difficult decision Sunday, optioning pitcher Kendall Graveman to Triple-A, pushing Jesse Chavez back into the starting rotation. He was expected to begin the season as a reliever, but Melvin is confident Chavez can get the job done as a start, reports CSN Bay Area.

"Not only is he able to (start) on a moment's notice, he showed what he's capable of doing in the first half of last year," manager Bob Melvin said. "He was as good as a lot of the guys on our team that (were) All-Stars. We’re lucky to have a guy like Jesse Chavez."

Chavez, who has made one start this season with an 0-1 record and a 0.71 ERA in 12 2/3 innings, won't change anything in his approach.

"It's just a different title and role," Chavez said. "That's how I look at it. I've still gotta go out there and do my job. Throw strikes and give us the best chance to win, and go as deep as I can in the ballgame."

Rays pitcher Alex Colome made the second start of his minor-league injury rehab assignment at Triple-A Durham on Sunday. 

Colome earned the win, allowing one run over six innings. He gave up four hits and walked no one, striking out six. 

Colome threw 45 strikes in 63 pitches and lowered his ERA to 1.93

David Robertson moved to 2-0 with a win over Kansas City in the completion of a suspended game on Sunday. The two teams played the ninth inning of Friday's game, which was postponed due to rain.

Robertson pitched a scoreless, hitless inning, striking out three. He was the pitcher of record when the White Sox put across the winning run in the bottom of the ninth. 

With a suspended game, followed by a regularly-scheduled game on Sunday, the White Sox made several roster moves. 

Reliever Scott Carroll was called up from Triple-A Charlotte. He'll take the place of Matt Albers, who was placed on the disabled list. 

To make room for Carroll on the 40-man roster, the Sox designated LHP Eric Surkamp for assignment. 

In addition, since the White Sox will be playing two games on Sunday, the team took advantage of the 26th man rule to call up pitcher Daniel Webb for the second game. 

The Red Sox called up RHP Heath Hembree from Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday. 

Hembree had not allowed a run in six appearances for Pawtucket, earning two saves and fanning 10 in eight innings. 

He takes the place of Matt Barnes, who was sent down. Barnes appeared in one game, allowing two hits in two innings, while striking out one. 

Astros pitcher Josh Fields tossed one scoreless inning in his return to action Saturday against the Athletics. 

It was Fields' first appearance this season after landing on the 15-day DL with a right groin strain to begin the year.

"I told him, 'Welcome back,'" Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "He throws his first pitch 96 mph and his second pitch at 97 ... I think everybody had a smile on their face. He's a big part of what we do in the bullpen."

Fields added a strikeout and a walk to his totals.

"I'm glad we were able to get him an inning with a little breathing room," Hinch said. "It feels like an extra-special addition."

Twins pitcher Trevor May was forced to leave Saturday's game against the Mariners after taking a line driver off his arm, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

With one out in the third, May gave up a liner to third baseman Kyle Seager, who ripped it right back to him. May tried to stay in the game, but was replaced by Tim Stauffer. He allowed two runs on three hits with five strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings against Seattle.

"It was one of the few spots near the elbow where it is OK to get hit by a ball and it just looks like a little bruising," May said to the Star Tribune. "At that point, I just wanted to make a play and then deal with it after."

X-rays were negative and May is considered day-to-day with the injury.