MLB Player News

Soto was not used in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Mariners, with Jose Cisnero getting the save instead.

Cisnero has now closed out the last two Detroit wins, suggesting that he's overtaken Soto for the closer role. The latter has pitched decently with a 3.09 ERA, though his 1.63 WHIP and 4.12 FIP suggest some regression is due. While Cisnero is on the upswing now, it's also quite possible that manager A.J. Hinch mixes and matches with both pitchers when save opportunities arise. Michael Fulmer (shoulder) is also second on the team with four saves and figures to factor into the equation when he's able to return from the injured list. As a result, none of the three pitchers looks likely to seize the role outright, at least in the short term.

Cisnero worked around a walk to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and secure the save Tuesday against the Mariners. He struck out two.

The last two Detroit wins have featured saves from Cisnero, suggesting he has taken over the role from Gregory Soto. At the very least, the two may split save opportunities in the near term and possibly for the rest of the season, though Michael Fulmer (shoulder) is also second on the team with four saves and figures to factor into the equation when he's able to return from the injured list. This is a boon to Cisnero's fantasy value, as he came into the year with less fanfare than Soto but seems to be picking up steam. Cisnero doesn't figure to be a great fantasy option moving forward, though he'll be useful as long as he's converting saves on a regular basis.

Canterino has been diagnosed with right elbow inflammation after undergoing an MRI, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

The 23-year-old was placed on the 7-day injured list by High-A Cedar Rapids on Saturday, but he's not dealing with any structural issues with his elbow. It's unclear how long Canterino is expected to be sidelined, but it appears he's avoided a serious injury.

Rodriguez covered 1.1 innings out of the bullpen Monday versus Kansas City, allowing one run on three hits while striking out one.

Rodriguez was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday, but Monday was his first appearance since rejoining the team. He induced a grounder to get out of an inherited two-out, two-on situation in the top of the sixth inning but gave up a run on a double and two singles in the following frame. The right-hander is enjoying a strong rookie campaign, posting a 2.65 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB while collecting two holds across 17 innings.

Manager A.J. Hinch said Tuesday that the early diagnosis on Fulmer's strained shoulder was positive, and the Tigers are hopeful that the right-hander could return from the 10-day injured list in the minimum amount of time, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Shoulder injuries always bring some level of concern for pitchers, but Fulmer appears fortunate to at least have avoided a significant one. Hinch's hope of Fulmer coming off the IL when first eligible Sunday may be overly optimistic, but the 28-year-old will at least have a shot at returning in the minimum amount of time if he's able to resume throwing off a mound in the next few days. After being moved to a relief role in early May, Fulmer almost immediately factored into the mix at closer for the Tigers, notching four saves in five chances before he was placed on the IL. Gregory Soto and Jose Cisnero are expected to serve as the Tigers' primary late-inning options in the short term sans Fulmer.

Kowar (0-1) was tagged with the loss Monday against the Angels after allowing four runs on three hits and two walks across two-thirds of an inning.

This wasn't the outing Kowar was expecting, as he couldn't even get out of the first inning and was lifted after giving up four runs and not striking out anyone. He could be lined up for a two-start week since he'd be tentatively up to pitch during the weekend series in Oakland, but that remains to be seen considering how much he struggled in his pro debut.

Pivetta allowed two runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out six across 4.2 innings Monday against the Marlins. He didn't factor into the decision.

Pivetta made it through the first three innings unscathed before surrendering one run in the fourth and another in the fifth on a solo blast to center. Had he managed to record one more out, he would have qualified for the victory, but instead, Hirokazu Sawamura was credited with the win. Pivetta struggled in his last two starts to close out May (eight earned runs allowed across 11 innings), but he's back on track in June, holding the opposition to four runs while fanning 15 in 10.2 frames since.

Ottavino picked up the save after allowing one run on three hits while striking out two across 1.1 innings Monday against the Marlins.

Ottavino was called upon with two outs in the top of the eighth inning, and while he was able to escape without issue, he surrendered a run on a pair of doubles and an infield single in the ninth. He ultimately induced a groundball for the final out of a 5-3 victory. Per Alex Speier of The Boston Globe, after the game, manager Alex Cora praised Ottavino's effort on a day their usual closer, Matt Barnes, wasn't available after pitching three straight days. "He's in a great place right now," said Cora. "We were short (without Barnes), to have a guy who can do that is huge." Ottavino owns a 2.88 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and a 30:17 K:BB across 25 frames in 2021.

Chargois secured his fifth hold in a win over the Angels on Sunday, firing a perfect sixth inning.

Chargois mowed through his frame on just six pitches, posting his sixth straight scoreless effort and coaxing his ERA under 2.00 in the process. The 30-year-old did not log a majors appearance last season and looks like a completely different pitcher than in his last big-league tenure with the Dodgers in 2019 (6.33 ERA across 14 appearances).

Montero secured his fourth hold in a win over the Angels on Sunday, allowing an earned run on two hits and a walk over one inning.

Montero needed 24 pitches to get through his one frame, creating some trouble for himself by allowing the first two hitters he faced to reach safely. The right-hander is still seeing save opportunities -- he's 3-for-3 in such scenarios across his last 10 appearances -- but he's also garnered three holds in that sample.