MLB Player News

The Athletics have decided to push the regular-season debut of pitcher Jesse Chavez back to Thursday in the wake of Tuesday's rainout, MLB.com reports.

Chavez was originally scheduled to pitch Wednesday, but it appears Oakland will go with Tuesday's scheduled start Scott Kazmir and a minor-league pitcher in Wednesday's doubleheader. Pushing Chavez back a day means he'll face the Mariners at home on Thursday, while the rest of the team's rotation will also move back a day to accommodate the rainout.

The Athletics and Indians were forced to postpone Tuesday's game in Oakland due to rain, with an announcement coming about an hour and a half prior to first pitch.

The game will be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader Wednesday, with Tuesday's pitchers getting an extra day of rest before opening their season. Corey Kluber and Scott Kazmir will have their debuts pushed back, though it is not known if they will pitch the day or night half of the doubleheader.

Zach McAllister will also pitch for the Indians Wednesday, while Jesse Chavez is scheduled to pitch for the Athletics. 

Astros manager Bo Porter announced before the season opener against the Yankees that relievers Matt Albers, Josh Fields and Chad Qualls are all candidates to close Tuesday.

One scout told the New York Post it appeared Yankees closer David Robertson might have lost some velocity on his fastball this spring.

"He was 88 to 90 mph the last time I saw him and he is usually 92 and a tick above," the scout said. "His velocity was down a little bit. He can usually pop out a 93. I don’t know, he might have been working on something, but it was down."

As far as Robertson is concerned, a drop in velocity is news to him.

"I feel like I was throwing harder this spring than I ever have," he said, per The Star-Ledger. "That's good. I mean, I don't throw hard anyway to begin with."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi isn't buying what is being said about Robertson.

"You know I heard that the other day and that's not what we had our gun," Girardi said. "We had him up to 93, a lot of 91 and 92, which is pretty normal for David Robertson."

Indians pitcher John Axford pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in his team's 2-0 win over the A's Monday, striking out two batters while also walking two.

Axford needed 26 pitches to navigate through the ninth inning, but he came out on the other side with Save No. 1 and a 0.00 ERA. He should retain the closing job in Cleveland if he can stay reasonably effective.

The Twins officially placed pitcher Brian Duensing on the paternity list Monday and recalled reliever Michael Tonkin from Triple-A Rochester to take his roster spot.

The Twins announced pitcher Brian Duensing will be placed on the paternity list Monday. Pitcher Michael Tonkin will be recalled from the minors to take his roster spot.

Athletics pitcher Fernando Rodriguez has been placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Rodriguez is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, but has progressed well. The move is backdated to March 21, so Rodriguez could return sooner than expected. 

The Angels officially placed pitchers Dane De La Rosa (forearm), Ryan Brasier (forearm), Sean Burnett (forearm) and Brian Moran (elbow) on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday. All four moves were retroactive to March 21, according to the Orange County Register.

The Angels officially announced the first end of their rotation, according to the Los Angeles Times. Jered Weaver will open the season on Monday against the Mariners, followed by C.J. Wilson. Hector Santiago will start the final game of the opening three game series against Seattle on Wednesday.