MLB Player News

Astros pitcher Jose Cisnero has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list Saturday.

Cisnero had Tommy John surgery in late May, and isn't expected back the rest of the year. He posted a 9.64 ERA over 4 2/3 innings. 

Mariners closer Fernando Rodney made it interesting, but locked down the save in a 7-5 win over the Royals Friday.

Rodney allowed a leadoff single and then put the tying run on base with a one-out single two batters later. He was able to end the threat from there, however, inducing a harmless groundball out followed by a game-ending strikeout.

Rodney earned his first save in over 10 days Friday, and he is now 19 for 21 on save tries this season. His ERA stands at 2.22, with 33 strikeouts and 10 walks in 28 1/3 innings of work. 

Blue Jays pitcher Liam Hendriks' return to the rotation did not go as well as hoped Friday, though the offense bailed him out in a 14-9 win.

Hendriks couldn't even make it out of the second inning in his first start in over three weeks, as the Reds jumped on him for six runs on six hits. He walked one batter and threw 29 of 47 pitches for strikes before being pulled from the game with one out left in the second inning.

Hendriks had been solid in two previous starts last month, but has now allowed nine runs in 13 1/3 innings on the season. His stay with the team was brief, as he was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo following the spot start. 

The Angels have shuffled their rotation for the weekend series against the Rangers, pushing Hector Santiago into the bullpen for at least one turn MLB.com reports.

Santiago will pitch out of the bullpen at least until next weekend's series in Kansas City. The move was made to get Jered Weaver on the mound Saturday, followed by Matt Shoemaker Sunday.  

Astros reliever Anthony Bass threw live batting practice at the team's spring training complex Thursday, and is making significant progress in his recovery from an intercostals strain.

"The fact he got on the mound lets me know he's close to getting on a rehab," manager Bo Porter told MLB.com Friday. "I've never been one to care much about a Major League guy rehabbing that was there for injury purposes. I'm more concerned about his oblique not hindering him to be able to throw all of his pitches, cover the bases and do all the things in which he would need to do."

There still isn't a clear timetable for his return to action, but Bass could move fairly quickly once he goes out on rehab.

Twins pitcher Yohan Pino looked solid in his major-league debut Thursday, in a 4-2 win over the White Sox.

Pino lasted seven solid innings in the start, limiting the White Sox to two runs on five hits. He walked one batter and struck out seven on 94 pitches, but had to settle for a no-decision as the offense rallied late.

Pino impressed in his first start, and might have earned himself at least one more. His next turn in the rotation is set for Wednesday against the Angels on the road. 

Astros pitcher Collin McHugh was pegged with a tough-luck loss Thursday night against the Rays in Tampa. The right-hander yielded only two unearned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out six over six innings of a 5-0 defeat.

McHugh has not allowed an earned run in three of his last five starts. He owns a 2.76 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in 11 starts (65 1/3 innings). He will look to get back in the win column Wednesday at home against Atlanta.

Blue Jays pitcher Liam Hendriks was recalled following Thursday's game against the Yankees and will make a spot-start Friday at Cincinnati, Sportsnet.ca reports. Hendriks will be sent down to the minors after Friday's start. The move was made to give knuckleballer R.A. Dickey -- left Saturday's game with groin soreness -- some extra rest. 

Newly acquired left-hander Brad Mills will make the start for the Athletics Friday night against the  Red Sox, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The team will also give Jesse Chavez an extra day off on Friday and have him take the hill Saturday against Boston.

At 30 years, 175 days, Yohan Pino will become the oldest Twins or Washington Senators starting pitcher to make his major-league debut when he starts Thursday against the White Sox, reports the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Minnesota just called up Pino, who has thrown nearly 1,200 career innings in the minors. 

"I'm really happy that his hard work is paying off and it's getting noticed and he gets a shot to come up here and see what he can do," said Twins catcher Eric Fryer, who caught Pino several times at Triple-A Rochester. 

Pino ranked second in the International League with a 1.92 ERA.