MLB Player News

Maybe it's because the Red Sox wouldn't commit to either him and Brandon Workman for their final rotation spot in the weeks leading up to the All-Star break, but for some reason, Rubby De La Rosa is owned in 38 percent of Fantasy leagues. On talent alone, he deserves better than that.

And now that he's likely secured his rotation spot with seven strong innings against the Royals Saturday, he deserves better on merit as well.

In seven major-league starts this season, he has a 2.64 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 7.1 strikeouts per nine innings. What more do you need to know than that? True, the strikeout rate could be higher for a player with his skill set, but simply knowing he has that skill set should only accentuate his performance so far.

Not every start has been a gem, but he's pitched seven innings or more in four of them and has mostly avoided the control problems that popped up from time to time in the minors. Plus, he's eligible at relief pitcher if that matters in your format.

Jeff Locke, Tom Koehler, Francisco Liriano and Chris Young are just a few of the starting pitchers owned in more leagues than De La Rosa who aren't as valuable as him in my eyes.

White Sox reliever Zach Putnam recorded two saves this weekend, but only the first was conventional. He struck out two in a perfect ninth inning against the Astros Friday. 

Manager Robin Ventura handed the ball to Jake Petricka in the ninth inning of a one-run game Saturday, but after he put two on, Ventura turned to Putnam, who struck out Jason Castro to end the game.

Ventura wouldn't commit to a single closer after the game, but Saturday wasn't the first time Petricka faltered in a high-leverage situation this month. His poor outing July 9 contributed to a come-from-behind win for the Red Sox. Ventura did say he prefers Putnam against left-handed batters, which would support a platoon, but I get the sense Putnam is beginning to distinguish himself.

As I wrote in my latest post to the Fantasy Baseball Today blog breaking down the more questionable closer situations in baseball, he's the reliever to own for the White Sox right now.

Mariners closer Fernando Rodney suffered a blown save and loss Sunday afternoon against the Angels in Anaheim.

Rodney (1-4) blew a one-run lead and allowed a run-scoring double to Albert Pujols and a run-scoring single to Grant Green in the ninth. He was charged with two run on three hits and three walks while striking out one over 1 1/3 innings of relief. He owns a 2.33 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP over 38 2/3 innings of relief.

Rays pitcher Kirby Yates came in for Grant Balfour and converted a two-out save Sunday afternoon against the Twins in Minnesota. It was his first career save.

After Balfour walked the first two batters in the ninth, Yates entered the game and forced Brian Dozier to ground out into a fielder's choice and got Eduardo Nunez to foul out to end the game. Yates owns a 2.35 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP over 15 1/3 innings of relief.

Yankees closer David Robertson (1-2) struck out one and needed only 13 pitches to retire the side in order in the ninth for the win Sunday afternoon against the Reds.

Brian McCann drove in a run on an infield single in the bottom of the frame to guarantee the win for Robertson. The right-hander owns a 2.60 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP over 34 2/3 innings of relief.

Aaron Loup required just six pitches to earn his fourth save Sunday against Texas. He arrived on the scene after Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen, who has been ill, proved ineffective to start the ninth. Loup polished off the Rangers when he retired J.P. Arencibia on a popout with two runners on base.

The Rangers have named right-hander Nick Martinez as their Tuesday starter in New York against the Yankees.

Martinez has been out since July 8 with a left side injury. He was mostly ineffective in a starting role for Texas this season with just three quality starts in eight outings.

White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Sunday relievers Zach Putnam and Jake Petricka are the top candidates to be used in save situations, according to MLB.com. Putnam picked up saves Friday and Saturday against the Astros, and Petricka has three saves this season.

Mariners reliever Danny Farquhar has tenderness in his arm, so he will not be available Sunday against the Angels. Farquhar has seven holds and a 2.35 ERA in his last 23 outings.

Right-hander Yohan Pino is the likely starter for the Twins against visiting Cleveland on Tuesday. Pino was demoted to Triple-A Rochester before the break, but will not have missed a start at the major league level if he indeed pitches against the Indians.

Pino is coming off two fine performances in which he yielded just two runs in 11 innings pitched.