MLB Player News

Blue Jays pitcher Sean Nolin recently returned to action after missing the first month of the year with a groin injury.

Nolin, who is pitching at Double-A New Hampshire, made his first start Tuesday. He surrendered three runs -- two earned -- and six hits over 3 1/3 innings of work.

Nolin could enter the mix as a potential starter for the Blue Jays down the line, especially with the lack of depth in the big-league rotation, but general manager Alex Anthopoulos wants to see more out of the left-hander.

"Nolin is someone that just got back to New Hampshire, just saw him throw the other day, and he's just not ready yet," Anthopoulos said. "It's his first start back. He's still not sharp. If Sean Nolin ends up getting on a roll, he could definitely end up being a candidate for us."

Rays closer Fernando Rodney entered Friday's series opener against the Padres with a three-run lead in the ninth.

Rodney worked his way around a walk and needed just 16 pitches to secure a 6-3 victory. He struck out two in his scoreless frame and improve his ERA to 4.26 after picking up his fifth save of the season.

The Athletics recalled reliever Jesse Chavez from Triple-A Sacramento, the team announced Friday. Evan Scribner was optioned back to Sacramento to make for him on the 25-man roster.

Chavez posted a 6.23 ERA with three strikeouts and one walk over three appearances (4 1/3 innings) with the big club.

Those who saw Friday's Fantasy Baseball Today know just how earnestly I want to be able to start pitcher Hector Santiago in Fantasy Week 7 (May 13-19). I like his matchups, and I think he's good.

But right now, I can't recommend starting him in Fantasy because I don't know that he'll actually get to make his two starts. John Danks is on the verge of returning from a season-opening DL stint. The White Sox have yet to declare whose spot he would take, but Santiago is the most likely candidate.

Unless the White Sox say over the weekend that Dylan Axelrod will be the odd man out, I don't know that you can gamble on Santiago in mixed leagues, as much as I like him.

Citing baseball technicalities, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Friday that pitching prospect Dellin Betances will move to the bullpen, the New York Post reports. Betances runs out of minor-league options after this season and will be required to make the 25-man roster next year or be subjected to waivers.

"This is the problem with the development clock," Cashman said. "If he had two or three more options, we would keep working with him as a starter. But with him being out of options after this year, it is becoming more obvious that if he is going to help us, it is going to be out of the pen."

The 6-foot-8 Betances has displayed improvement with Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes/Barre recently to even his record at 2-2 and lower his ERA to 6.00. The right-hander threw five no-hit innings during his last start Sunday but has walked 16 in 24 innings this season.

Astros reliever Josh Fields (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Class A Quad Cities Friday, according to MLB.com. Fields is slated to throw two innings.

Yankees reliever David Robertson returned to action Wednesday against the Rockies for the first time in a week because of a hamstring injury. Robertson slipped on his first pitch, but he made it through the outing unscathed, per The Journal News.

Robertson (2-0) vultured a relief win Wednesday, tossing a scoreless eighth inning. He did hit one batter.

"Felt a little rusty," he said. "Didn’t make a lot of quality pitches. … Physically I’m good."

Rays starter Matt Moore had another solid outing Wednesday at home against the Blue Jays. With Ricky Romero lasting just one out before being pulled, Moore cruised to victory.

Moore, who is 6-0 on the year, gave up just two earned runs on six hits and four walks with 104 pitches thrown over five innings. He struck out two and was hurt by an Edwin Encarnacion two-run homer in the first inning. Otherwise, Moore was not scored upon.

Owner of a 2.14 ERA on the year after seven starts, Moore rebounded from failing to win his last time out in Colorado. He's recorded winning decisions in six of his seven starts on the year with 43 Ks over 42 innings. He's been sensational and he'll look to continue that trend Tuesday against Boston.

White Sox starter Hector Santiago said Wednesday that he's not concerned about his rotation spot with John Danks nearing a return, ESPN reports. Santiago could lose his starting gig when Danks comes back. 

"I don't think I'm trying to beat anybody out. I'm trying to go out there and do my job, trying to pitch well," Santiago said. "Obviously you want to earn a spot, but I don't think I've been thinking about that at all. I've been going out there and giving us a chance to win and pitching well and throw the ball how they want me to throw it. Give us a chance to win is the main thing." 

The left-hander, who is expected to start next Monday at Minnesota, took a no-decision his last turn in New York with seven shutout innings pitched with eight Ks. He's 1-0 in his last two starts with one run allowed over 12 1/3 innings with 14 Ks. 

Making just his third start of the season, White Sox pitcher Hector Santiago turned heads with a seven-inning scoreless outing in which he struck out eight while only walking two. Among those impressed was our Scott White, who said he’s excited about Santiago during Wednesday’s broadcast of Fantasy Baseball Today.

Santiago’s impressive starts have moved him up to the No. 2 most added player heading into Week 7, jumping from just four percent owned to 35 in that span.