MLB Player News

Indians closer John Axford secured his fifth save of the season Wednesday, giving up just one hit and striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning in his team's 3-2 win over the Tigers.

Axford did a good job slamming the door on a night when the recorded game temperature was 41 degrees Fahrenheit, as neither side was likely interested in a drawn-out, extra-innings game. The Indians closer bounced back nicely after blowing a save opportunity in his last outing. He owns a 4.05 ERA and 8:6 K:BB ratio in 6 2/3 innings.

Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said Wednesday that the team's Sunday starter "will probably be one of our guys internally," the Tacoma News-Tribune reports.

The comment points to Brandon Maurer or Anthony Fernandez being tabbed for the start. Maurer has posted a 2.16 ERA and 17:5 K:BB ratio in 8 1/3 innings with Triple-A Tacoma. Fernandez owns a 4.35 ERA and 12:4 K:BB ratio in 10 1/3 innings over two starts with the same team.

The Angels transferred pitcher Ryan Brasier to the 60-day disabled list Wednesday, clearing a 40-man roster spot for Brennan Boesch.

Brasier showed up to camp this spring with forearm tightness, and it's clear the issue isn't a minor injury. He made seven appearances with the Angels last season, giving up two earned runs in nine innings while striking out seven and walking four.

Yankees closer David Robertson is slated to throw off the mound Thursday, which would put him in line to be activated off the disabled list when he's eligible next Tuesday.

Robertson has been dealing with a groin injury. He was off to a fine start as the replacement in that role for Mariano Rivera. He converted both of his save opportunities and yielded just one hit in three scoreless innings.

Mariners pitcher Brandon Maurer made his first appearance for Triple-A Tacoma Monday, as he continues to recover from neck and back injuries suffered during spring training.

Maurer allowed one run on two hits and a walk, while striking out three and throwing 49 pitches in two innings. He is expected to work his way back to a full-time starting role after a handful of shorter outings, though there is no timeline for a possible return to the majors.  

Royals pitchers Tim Collins and Francisley Bueno resumed their throwing programs Monday, the Kansas City Star reports.

Collins is on the disabled list after experiencing inflammation around his flexor tendon. Bueno is on the disabled list due to a bone bruise on his sprained finger.

The way he's pitching would have you believe Jesse Chavez is a highly rated up-and-comer just scratching the surface of his potential. But he's actually a 30-year-old journeyman who has failed to capitalize on repeated opportunities at the big-league level.

Only when Al Melchior observed on a recent edition of Fantasy Baseball Today that Chavez has significantly altered his arsenal from earlier in his career did I open myself to the possibility of him becoming something more.

That was before Chavez's latest start, a nine-strikeout effort against Angels Monday night. Back-to-back starts with nine strikeouts and no walks is notable for any pitcher, regardless of age or track record. The cutter he worked to develop last year seems to have made a difference.

Chavez is still far from a sure thing, but since we really don't know where his new arsenal will take him, this hot start is a wave worth riding. As one who benefited from Esteban Loaiza's newfound cutter in 2003, I'd be a fool to ignore it.

Angels pitcher Hector Santiago gave up just one earned run on five hits and one walk in seven innings while striking out three in his team's 3-2 loss to the A's Monday.

Santiago was in line to pick up a win before closer Ernesto Frieri blew a save opportunity in the ninth inning. The Angels starter will instead settle for his first quality start of the season. His only run allowed came on a fourth-inning home run by Yoenis Cespedes.

Santiago owns a 4.96 ERA and 13:7 K:BB ratio in 16 1/3 innings. He'll look for his first win when he faces the Sunday in Detroit.

Athletics pitcher Jesse Chavez didn't factor into the decision Monday after giving up two runs (one earned) on four hits in seven innings while striking out nine in his team's 3-2 win over the Angels.

Chavez pitched very well in the no-decision, throwing 77 of his 100 pitches for strikes. He was on the hook for the loss despite his strong effort before John Jaso hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning to erase a 2-1 deficit.

Chavez has done excellent in his first three starts, posting a 1.35 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 22:2 K:BB ratio in 20 innings. He's still looking for his first win, and he'll try and secure it Sunday at home against the Astros.

Rays pitcher Matt Moore has decided to undergo Tommy John surgery on his injured left elbow next week, knocking him out for the remainder of the season, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

"What was coming out, it's a shame to be have to be shut down right now but it just wasn't comfortable," Moore said. "Being stuck in the position I am right now, where it's not exactly comfortable but it's not exactly completely broke, it's kind of one of those things where you know it's going to get worse."

Moore is facing a long road to recovery before potentially rejoining the team at some point during the 2015 season. He finishes 2014 with an 0-2 record, 2.70 ERA and 6:5 K:BB ratio in 10 innings.