MLB Player News

Garcia tossed 1.2 scoreless relief innings Friday, allowing one hit and striking out two during a 7-2 loss to the White Sox.

Since the All-Star break, Garcia has posted a 5.17 ERA in 15.2 innings, amassing an 18:6 K:BB in that span. His season numbers are only marginally better with a 4.81 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 48.2 innings, and he's primarily been used as a middle reliever with a couple of appearances as an opener mixed in.

Bummer tossed two scoreless innings and struck out one in Friday's 7-2 win over the Angels.

The performance earned Bummer his 16th hold of the year. Bummer has allowed two runs on nine hits and two walks across six appearances in August, striking out seven in that span. For the year, the set-up man has a 1.65 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 49 innings pitched, adding a 42:15 K:BB. He's still unlikely to see many save chances behind closer Alex Colome.

Chapman yielded a walk and struck out two during a scoreless ninth inning to record his 34th save in a 3-2 victory over Cleveland on Friday.

The left-hander broke his streak of four straight frames without allowing a walk, but he didn't allow the baserunner past first base. Chapman has 16 strikeouts in his last 10 innings and during that stretch, he's yielded two runs while recording nine saves and zero blown opportunities. Overall, Chapman is 3-2 with 34 saves, 2.40 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 71 strikeouts in 48.2 innings this season.

Rogers gave up two hits and struck out two in a scoreless eighth inning Friday to record his 10th save of the season in Friday's 4-3 win over the Rangers.

Sergio Romo worked the ninth and picked up his third save as a Twin, and all of a sudden it looks like manager Rocco Baldelli might be deploying a two-man, matchup-based committee at closer, as Texas sent three right-handed batters to the plate to begin the final frame. Rogers does have a 4.80 ERA through 15 innings since the All-Star break, but his 19:3 K:BB isn't a sign he's been pitching poorly. The southpaw should remain the team's top option for saves down the stretch, but Rogers might have to cede more opportunities to Romo than anticipated.

Jimenez gave up a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his third save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Rays.

The 24-year-old now has three saves in three chances, plus a win, over five appearances since Shane Greene was dealt to Atlanta at the trade deadline. Jimenez's numbers on the season don't jump off the page, but he has been pitching much better lately, posting a 1.59 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and 14:2 K:BB over his last 11.1 innings. Jimenez's hold on the closer role appears to be secure.

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.