MLB Player News

Zimmermann's (ankle) rehab assignment was transferred to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

The left-hander began his rehab stint with a start at Double-A Bowie on Saturday. He allowed three runs on five hits across 2.1 innings and will now make his next appearance with Norfolk, presumably later this week. If it ends up being his last outing in the minors, Zimmermann could be activated for the final week of the season, quite possibly to serve as a long reliever.

Fulmer earned the save against the White Sox on Tuesday after tossing 1.1 scoreless innings. He allowed two hits and a walk while striking out one.

After allowing an inherited runner to score on an RBI single by Tim Anderson in the eighth, Fulmer returned in the ninth frame to finish things off. With two outs and a two-run lead, trouble loomed when Fulmer gave up a single to Eloy Jimenez and a walk to Yoan Moncada. The right-hander rebounded quickly by sending Leury Garcia down on strikes to finish off the victory. Fulmer now has 11 saves this season to go with a 3.12 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. With Gregory Soto out for the season, Fulmer looks to be the favorite for ninth-inning duties in Detroit.

Alexander allowed two runs on eight hits and a pair of walks while striking out two batters across 5.2 innings during Tuesday's win over the White Sox. He did not factor into the decision.

It wasn't a dominant start by any means -- Alexander gave up a season-worst eight hits -- but he kept the Tigers in the game to position them for the win. The 27-year-old has found success this month, yielding seven earned runs over 20.1 frames. On the season, Alexander has compiled a 4.10 ERA and 1.30 WHIP.

Jimenez (illness) will be reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list ahead of Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Jimenez recently reported to Triple-A Toledo to work out, but he'll be able to rejoin the major-league bullpen without making a rehab appearance. Across three appearances in September prior to testing positive for COVID-19, the right-hander allowed three runs in 2.2 innings.

Carlton was optioned to Triple-A Toledo following Tuesday's win over the White Sox, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Carlton has made four major-league appearances since the start of September, and he recorded a 4.91 ERA and 2.73 WHIP in 3.2 innings. However, he'll lose his spot in the Tigers' bullpen since Joe Jimenez (illness) will be reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday.

Loaisiga (shoulder) threw from 120 feet Tuesday and will do the same Wednesday before throwing a bullpen session Friday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

The right-hander continues to make steady progress after hitting the injured list Sept. 5 with a strained right rotator cuff. The plans for Loaisiga beyond Friday's bullpen session aren't entirely clear, but even if the next step is to go on a minor-league rehab assignment, he should still have a chance to return for the last series or two of the regular season.

Romero was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Romero was called up by the Athletics on Sept. 8, but he didn't make his major-league debut during his time in the big leagues. He'll head back to the minors after right-hander Michael Feliz was added to the 28-man roster Tuesday.

Valdez's contract was selected from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday.

Valdez was outrighted to Norfolk in late August, and he posted a 1.42 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 12.2 innings across nine relief appearances in the minors since then. The right-hander has eight saves in the majors this year, but he recorded a 6.65 ERA and 1.75 WHIP in 21.2 innings across his last 15 appearances prior to being sent to Norfolk, so he'll likely pitch mainly in low-leverage situations late in the season.

Brasier was recalled from Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Brasier was sent back to Worcester on Friday, but now he'll rejoin the big club with Garrett Whitlock (pectoral) being placed on the 10-day IL. The right-hander made his season debut in early September after several injuries sidelined him for the first five months of the campaign. He'll resume his big-league season with a 4.15 ERA and 2.54 WHIP through 4.1 innings.

Munoz (elbow) is scheduled to make the second appearance of his rehab assignment at Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday, Tacoma radio broadcaster Mike Curto reports.

The Mariners aren't expected to bring Munoz back from the 60-day injured list during the final two weeks of the season, but the right-hander looks well on his way to entering spring training in 2022 without any restrictions. Following an 18-month recovery from Tommy John surgery, Munoz made his first appearance in affiliated ball since 2019 on Friday, when he struck out the side while pitching for the Mariners' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate. The dominant showing was enough for the Mariners to move him up to Triple-A, where he'll presumably make a handful of appearances before season's end.