MLB Player News

Junis did not factor into the decision during Wednesday's loss to the Cardinals, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out six across 3.2 innings.

Junis, making just his third start of the year after dealing with back spasms, faced a lighter work load in his return, though he still managed to strike out a season-high six batters in the process. The 27-year-old has given up two runs in each of his starts, bringing his ERA to 4.26 and WHIP to 1.58. He'll look to earn his first win Tuesday against Cleveland.

Cisnero could be in the mix for saves after Joe Jimenez lost his grip on the closer's role, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The Tigers don't plan on replacing Jimenez with another traditional closer, as Cisnero, Gregory Soto and Buck Farmer are expected to fill the role depending on matchups. Cisnero has been lights out in 2020, with a 1.62 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB through 16.2 innings.

Fulmer allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one across three innings Wednesday against the Cubs. He did not factor into the decision.

Fulmer held the Cubs scoreless through two innings, but ran into trouble in his final frame. He surrendered a free pass to the leadoff hitter and then consecutive singles later in the inning that allowed both of his charged runs to cross the plate. Fulmer has yet to work more than three innings in any outing this season, and has amassed an ugly 8.79 ERA across 14.1 innings.

Soto is a likely candidate to see save opportunities after Joe Jimenez lost the closer's job, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The 25-year-old is unlikely to fully step into the role, as manager Ron Gardenhire indicated he plans to play matchups with Soto, Jose Cisnero and Buck Farmer. Soto has a 3.52 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 20:4 K:BB through 15.1 innings this season, and he's only allowed runs in two of his 16 appearances.

Jimenez is no longer the Tigers' closer, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The 25-year-old allowed seven runs in his past two outings and appeared during the sixth inning Wednesday, with manager Ron Gardenhire confirming the change after the game. Jimenez has a 12.46 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 9:4 K:BB through 8.2 innings this season and will look to get back on track in lower-leverage spots. Gregory Soto is a likely candidate to receive save chances based on matchups, though Jose Cisnero and Buck Farmer are also expected to be in the mix.

Farmer allowed three earned runs on four hits in the ninth inning of Wednesday's 7-6 win over the Cubs.

Farmer entered in a non-save situation with the Tigers up 7-3, but he quickly got into trouble, starting the frame by allowing four straight hits. He almost gave up a go-ahead home run on a fifth straight hit, but Anthony Rizzo's deep fly was caught right in front of the center field wall. Farmer wiggled out of the jam from there, retiring Javier Baez and Kyle Schwarber to end the game. Manager Ron Gardenhire said after the game that Joe Jimenez is no longer the closer, and Farmer, Gregory Soto and Jose Cisnero are expected to split save chances going forward based on matchups, per Chris McCosky of The Detroit News.

Hand pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Twins.

Hand had a three-run lead to protect, and he did so by retiring Luis Arraez, Miguel Sano and Ehire Adrianza on a combined 12 pitches. The 30-year-old Hand has produced perfect innings in his last three outings. He's lowered his ERA to 3.72 with a 1.03 WHIP, 13 strikeouts and nine saves in 9.2 innings this season. Hand has a strong grasp on the closing job for Cleveland.

Maton (2-0) pitched a perfect 1.2 innings and struck out one, earning the win Wednesday versus the Twins.

Maton got the last two outs of the seventh inning and also pitched the eighth. Cleveland rallied for three runs in the eighth, making him the pitcher of record, and Brad Hand was able to close things out. The 27-year-old Maton has a 0.93 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 13 strikeouts across 9.2 innings in nine appearances this season.

Richards allowed two runs (none earned) on six hits and two walks while striking three across 4.1 innings Wednesday against the Orioles. He did not factor into the decision.

Richards allowed both of the runs in the opening inning, but limited the damage thereafter. He was regularly working out of trouble -- he allowed multiple baserunners in four of the five innings he pitched -- but kept the Rays in the game. Richards worked up to 86 pitches, a positive factor for his chances to work long enough in upcoming starts to earn a win. He currently lines up to make his next appearance working behind an opener Monday at the Yankees.

Abreu was optioned to the alternate training site after Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Braves.

The right-hander served as the 29th man for the doubleheader but didn't pitch in either contest. Abreu has made one appearance this season and gave up two runs on three hits with a 2:2 K:BB over 1.1 innings.