MLB Player News

Yankees closer Andrew Miller (S, 5) came into a save situation against the Tigers on Tuesday, leading 5-1 with two on and two out, and walked two batters, allowing one run to score, before getting the final out via a strikeout for his fifth save of the season.

"I need to be better than that, but it ended up with a win," Miller said. "I wasn't missing by much, so I'm not worried about it."

Reliever Chris Martin began the ninth inning for the Yankees with the 5-1 advantage, but put two runners on and got pulled for Miller.

Athletics pitcher Sean Nolin is expected to head to Triple-A Nashville Wednesday to begin his rehab assignment this weekend after throwing a bullpen session, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Nolin, who is currently on the 15-day DL with a hernia, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session as well Wednesday and if everything goes well, he will head to Nashville. Nolin has appeared in just two games in the last two seasons, allowing seven runs in 2 1/3 innings of work.

Astros right-hander Collin McHugh will have pleasant memories arriving at Safeco Field for his Tuesday night start against Seattle.

McHugh was lights-out in two starts against the Mariners on the road a year ago. He pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings in his first outing with 12 strikeouts, then yielded just one run on two hits in eight innings later in the season. He won both.

Added to the overall start to his 2015 season and matchup against struggling Seattle starter Taijuan Walker, there should be plenty of optimism. McHugh is 2-0 with a 1.54 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings.

Although Astros pitcher Collin McHugh has never been hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of an opposing hitter, he said the protective pad he wears inside his hat helps ease his mind, reports MLB.com.

"It covers that spot [that's exposed] when you rotate," McHugh said. "It's hard to get the glove back up there, and the vast majority of injuries happen on that side. Hopefully, I'll never have to see if it works or not. I think it's a great product and something I'll probably never stop wearing."

Despite never being hit in the head, McHugh said it's nice having some form of protection on his head.

"You try not to think about it," he said. "Having something in place just in case is a nice little reassurance. If you get hit in the head, it's never going to be a pleasant experience. If it's the difference in going to the hospital or not, I'll take my chances [and use the pad]."

Not having pitched since April 14, White Sox closer David Robertson (1-0) was brought in to pitch the top of the ninth inning on Monday trailing by three and was subsequently the beneficiary of a four-run White Sox rally in the bottom half to record the win.

Robertson notched two strikeouts in a 3-up, 3-down top of ninth.

Athletics pitcher Jesse Hahn will miss his scheduled start Thursday while dealing with a blister on his finger, manager Bob Melvin said, per Bay Area News Group.

Hahn was forced to leave his start Saturday after discovering the blister on his right middle finger. Jesse Chavez, who came on in relief for him Saturday, will start in Hahn's place.

Chavez made 21 starts in 2014, posting an 8-8 record with a 3.45 ERA in 146 innings. 

"Jesse Chavez is a good guy to have in your pocket when something like that happens," Melvin said, per MLB.com. 

Rays pitcher Alex Colome will transfer his rehab assignment to Triple-A Durham Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Colome is working his way back from pneumonia after beginning the season on the 15-day disabled list. He threw three scoreless innings in his rehab debut on April 12 and will progress to four-to-five innings Tuesday. It's possible Colome could rejoin the Rays' rotation if Tuesday's start goes well.

Rangers pitcher Anthony Bass was the lone bright spot of Texas' pitching staff Sunday, going 3 2/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts in the 11-10 loss to the Mariners.

Bass allowed four hits and lowered his ERA to 3.14 in the outing, drawing the attention of manager Jeff Banister, according to MLB.com.

"Bass is throwing the ball really well," manager Jeff Banister said. "I can't say enough about what he has done. It's a role he fits into and is comfortable with. We'll evaluate every situation and see how he continues to pitch out of the bullpen."

Matt Andriese made his second start of the season for the Rays and again didn't make it out of the fourth inning. 

Andriese took the loss on Sunday against the Yankees, allowing four runs in three and a third innings. He allowed eight hits and two walks, while striking out one. Andriese threw 39 strikes in 63 pitches. His ERA increased to 6.75. 

Andriese's next start is Friday, against Toronto's R.A. Dickey. 

Twins pitcher Trevor May gave up just one earned run on four hits in six innings while striking out four and walking none in his team's 7-2 win over the Indians Sunday.

May (1-1) struggled in his first start of the season but bounced back nicely Sunday, with the only damage coming on three straight two-out singles in the third inning.

"I was able to get ahead of guys and make pitches when I needed to," May said to MLB.com. "A couple things went my way this time that didn't last time. It's about being as consistent as possible and having them put the ball in play."

He owns a 4.76 ERA and 8:1 K:BB ratio in 11 1/3 innings heading into Saturday's matchup with the Mariners.