MLB Player News

Mariners closer Fernando Rodney worked past a shaky outing for the save Sunday at home against the White Sox.

Rodney permitted a run-scoring single to Conor Gillaspie in the ninth inning. He allowed one run on three hits and no walks while striking out three over one inning of work in a 4-2 victory. He owns a 2.40 ERA and 55:18 K:BB ratio in 48 2/3 innings.

Rangers starting pitcher Nick Martinez halted a personal seven-game losing streak during a 6-2 win Sunday at Houston. He allowed two runs on five hits and two walks, while striking out six in five innings.

It appeared early Martinez (2-8) was headed for an eighth straight loss as Houston jumped out to a 2-0 lead after three innings. But Martinez settled down after Jason Castro's two-out RBI single and recorded five strikeouts over the last nine batters he faced.

Martinez, who was 0-7 over his previous 10 starts, won for the first time since May 24.

''He's a strong kid,'' Rangers manager Ron Washington said of Martinez. ''He works every day and he wants to be better. You've got to understand the kid is just out of A ball trying to get big league hitters out. He'll figure it out.''

Martinez is slated to make his next start Friday against the Angels. He has a 1.86 ERA in two appearances (one start) against Los Angeles this season.

Twins pitching prospect Trevor May had a rough major-league debut Saturday, giving up four earned runs on three hits and seven walks in two innings in his team's 9-4 loss to the A's.

May (0-1) had walked a career-low 3.5 batters per nine innings in the majors this season before dealing with control issues in his first big-league start. He walked three straight batters with two outs in the second inning before surrendering a two-run single and walking two more batters. He didn't come out for the third. The Twins haven't set a date for May's next start, but it could come Friday against the Royals if he isn't sent back down to work on his game.

Mariners closer Fernando Rodney was stuck with a loss Saturday, giving up an unearned run on two hits while striking out one in his team's 2-1, 10-inning defeat against the White Sox.

Rodney (1-5) was summoned to pitch the top of the 10th with the game tied 1-1. He saw the inning extended on an error by the shortstop with two outs and watched the go-ahead run score on a single to the next batter. Rodney owns a 2.27 ERA and 52:18 K:BB ratio in 47 2/3 innings.

Blue Jays reliever Aaron Loup managed to throw just seven strikes among his 16 pitches Saturday against Detroit. But he also managed to raise his record to 4-3.

Loup entered in the 10th inning and retired the Tigers on one walk and no hits. His teammates scored in the bottom of the inning to give him the victory.

The Twins officially recalled pitcher Trevor May from Triple-A Rochester Saturday, ahead of his major-league debut Saturday against the Athletics.

May has a 2.93 ERA and 8-6 record at Triple-A, with 91 strikeouts and 37 walks in 95 1/3 innings of work. 

Mariners closer Fernando Rodney turned in his 32nd save Friday, tossing a 1-2-3 ninth inning to finish off his team's 4-1 win over the White Sox.

Rodney didn't record a strikeout in the outing, but he managed to hold the opposition scoreless for the first time in three appearances. He's successfully converted 32 of his 35 save opportunities this season. Rodney owns a 2.31 ERA and 51:18 K:BB ratio in 46 2/3 innings.

White Sox pitcher Jake Petricka will remain the team's closer after former closing option Zach Putnam was activated from the disabled list Friday, MLB.com reports.

"[Petricka] has taken a step forward when you start to foresee things that would happen in the future of guys who are available to do stuff and what you're planning on for guys," manager Robin Ventura said. "If you have a guy like him doing what he's been doing in the late innings, definitely it's a step in the right direction and a positive one for him."

Petricka has allowed just one earned run in 6 2/3 innings over his last seven appearances while picking up four saves.

Yankees pitcher Esmil Rogers picked up a win Friday, allowing one earned run on four hits and one walk in five innings and striking out three in his team's 10-6 victory over the Indians.

Rogers (2-0) gave up a run in the top of the first inning, but his offense was able to deliver five runs in the bottom half of the first to give him a comfortable lead, which he preserved until exiting. He owns a 5.16 ERA and 29:9 K:BB ratio in 29 2/3 innings, with all of his previous 18 appearances coming in relief. Rogers could be called upon to start Wednesday in Baltimore.

Rays pitcher Brad Boxberger blew a save opportunity in the ninth inning Friday but ended up earning a win after giving up one earned run on two hits in two innings and striking out three in his team's 4-3, 10-inning victory over the Cubs.

Boxberger (3-1) watched Jake McGee pitch the eighth inning before getting his chance in the ninth, but the Cubs were able to tie the game on a one-out single in the ninth. He remained in to get an at-bat in the top of the 10th before pitching a 1-2-3 bottom half of the inning to finish off the game. He owns a 2.11 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 74:16 K:BB ratio in 47 innings.