MLB Player News

The White Sox pitcher Scott Carroll will make his major-league debut Sunday against the Rays, the Tampa Bay Times reports. Carroll will be called up from Triple-A Charlotte Sunday to make the start. The 29-year-old posted a 1.57 ERA with a 13:9 K:BB ratio over 23 innings in the minors this season.

Angels pitcher Hector Santiago didn't make it five innings against the Yankees Saturday.

Santiago gave up four runs on six hits over 4 1/3 innings. He walked one, and struck out three during the appearance. Santiago only threw 77 pitches, but ran into trouble in the fifth inning. He led off the inning with a solo home run, and then followed it up with two straight singles. After getting Carlos Beltran to fly out, he was replaced 

With the loss, Santiago's record dropped to 0-4 on the year. His next start will come against the Rangers.

Mariners closer Fernando Rodney nearly blew his second save opportunity in a row Friday, but worked out of a jam in a 6-5 win.

Rodney struggled from the beginning of his outing, allowing a leadoff single before recording his first out. He then hit a batter, allowed a single and then walked two more to bring in two runs. He nearly blew the save, but Justin Smoak double off Adrian Beltre on a line drive to end the game, with the tying run on third.

Rodney has allowed five runs -- three earned -- over his last 3 2/3 innings of work, after opening the season with 3 2/3 scoreless frames. He has a 3.68 ERA with four saves in five chances in eight appearances. 

Athletics starting pitcher Jesse Chavez saw his run of quality starts come to an end Friday, in a 12-5 win over the Astros.

Chavez entered the start having allowed just four earned runs in his first 26 innings of work, but the Astros got to him for as much in just five innings this time around. He was charged with five runs -- four earned -- on eight hits and a pair of walks over his five innings of work, while striking out five.

Despite the subpar performance, Chavez settled for a no-decision in the outing, as the A's offense came alive late. He is still just 1-0 through five starts, with a 2.32 ERA heading into his next outing, Wednesday at Texas. 

The Rangers wanted to push pitcher Nick Martinez down to the minors after his spot start this week, but injuries will force them to keep him around as a bullpen arm for the time being.

"That was our intention but right now, with the injuries we have, we feel he can help us," manager Ron Washington told MLB.com Friday. "How long that will last, I don't know. He can give us innings."

Martinez has some experience as a reliever in the minors, though he made just 17 of his 75 appearances out of the bullpen. After throwing 92 pitches Tuesday, he will likely be available beginning Saturday. 

The Astros have placed reliever Matt Albers on the disabled list retroactive to April 22 with tendinitis in his shoulder. They have promoted fellow right-hander Jose Cisnero to take his place.

Albers was off to a strong start. He's given up 10 hits, but just one eanred run, in 10 innings and owns a 0.90 ERA.

Royals pitcher Tim Collins will join Triple-A Omaha Friday to begin his rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

"He's going to need at least two [appearances] and we'll go from there," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "As soon as he's throwing the ball good again . … But we need to see that, we need to check his arm and make sure it's strong and durable and ready to go. We need to make sure he's commanding his fastball, his curveball and his changeup."

Collins pitched in just two games this season before going on the disabled list with a flexor strain.

Angels starter Hector Santiago's numbers aren't eye-popping, but they look a bit more impressive after the 26-year-old revealed he has been pitching through back pain since his first start.

"I just kept aggravating it and throwing, and doing all the workouts and stuff," Santiago said. "It went on for longer than I wanted it to."

Santiago has been dealing with a back injury since the end of the spring, and Sunday's start against the Tigers was the first time he has taken the mound without a setback or flare-up. He is 0-3 with a 3.68 ERA in 22 innings of work.

Indians closer John Axford earned his eighth save of the season Wednesday, giving up just one hit in a scoreless ninth inning in his team's 5-3 win over the Royals.

Axford gave up a leadoff single in the ninth inning but then induced two ground balls for outs before a pop fly ended the game. He owns a 2.79 ERA and 9:7 K:BB ratio in 9 2/3 innings.

Mariners closer Fernando Rodney pitched the ninth inning of Wednesday's game in a nonsave situation and wound up earning the win after giving up one hit and one walk in a scoreless inning of work against the Astros.

Rodney (1-1) also recorded a strikeout in his appearance while keeping his team's deficit at 3-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth. The Seattle offense delivered back-to-back singles to open the inning before Kyle Seager blasted his second home run of the game for the win. Rodney has recorded three saves while posting a 1.42 ERA and 10:4 K:BB ratio in 6 1/3 innings.