MLB Player News

VerHagen (3-2) picked up the win in Friday's 2-0 shutout of the Rays, giving up three hits and a walk over five scoreless innings of relief. He struck out three.

The Tigers are using Daniel Norris and VerHagen as tandem pitchers down the stretch, and the duo surprisingly kept Tampa off the scoreboard for eight innings Friday. VerHagen will likely piggyback off Norris in the southpaw's next start Wednesday in Houston, but his 6.67 ERA and 23:16 K:BB through 29.2 big-league innings this season doesn't suggest a repeat performance is likely.

Norris didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 2-0 win over the Rays, giving up one hit and two walks over three scoreless innings while striking out two.

The Tigers have indicated that Norris and Drew VerHagen -- who followed the lefty with five scoreless innings of his own -- will work in tandem the rest of the season, and the strategy paid dividends in this one. Norris will take a 4.82 ERA into his next start Wednesday in Houston, but don't expect him to last long enough to qualify for a win even if he does pitch well again.

Alexander was optioned to Triple-A Toledo following Friday's game against the Rays.

Alexander had allowed five runs over one inning of relief work after being removed from the starting rotation, resulting in a demotion. Jordan Zimmermann (neck) will be reinstated from the 10-day injured list Saturday to take Alexander's place on the 25-man roster.

Lopez is listed as the Royals' probable starter for Monday's game against the Orioles, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Lopez made his return to the big-league rotation last week but allowed five runs (four earned) over 1.1 innings. It's been a struggle in the majors for the 26-year-old as he has a 6.51 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 82:34 K:BB over 85.2 innings, but it looks as though he'll receive another starting chance Monday in Baltimore.

Burke could make his major-league debut Tuesday against the Angels, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

The Rangers are scheduled to play a doubleheader Tuesday, so Burke may be recalled to toe the rubber for one of the two matchups. He's spent the majority of his time with Double-A Frisco this season, posting 3.18 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with a 49:12 K:BB over 45.1 innings.

Mantiply cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

Mantiply was designated for assignment earlier this week, but he'll remain with the Yankees after going unclaimed on waivers. The 28-year-old was acquired from the Reds last week and had a 3.72 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 26:3 K:BB over 29 innings at Triple-A prior to having his contract selected.

Gibault was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Friday, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Gibaut was acquired by the Rangers from the Rays ahead of the trade deadline and only had to wait a couple weeks before making his way to the majors. The 25-year-old has been limited to 16.2 minor-league innings this season, but in 2018 he posted a 2.09 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 75:21 K:BB at Triple-A.

Palumbo is scheduled to be recalled from Triple-A Nashville to start in Tuesday's doubleheader against the Angels, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Palumbo was sidelined by an ankle issue during the back half of July, but he returned to Nashville's rotation in August and delivered six no-hit innings Thursday. The 24-year-old will look to build on that performance Tuesday after posting an 11.00 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in his first three major-league outings.

Yacabonis cleared waivers and was assigned outright to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Yacabonis will remain with the Orioles organization after going unclaimed on waivers and will return to the Triple-A level. In 20.2 innings pitched for Triple-A Norfolk this season, the 27-year-old carries an ERA of 4.35. While the right-hander may not return to the major-league club this season, he could provide a veteran presence in the bullpen going forward given his three seasons with some big-league experience.

Fairbanks was promoted from Triple-A Durham prior to Friday's game against the Tigers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays dealt prospect Nick Solak to the Rangers for Fairbanks in mid-July. The hard-throwing righty has struck out 19 in 10.1 innings with the Bulls, and while he may not get any saves over the rest of the season, he has the potential to pitch in some high-leverage situations.