MLB Player News

Johnson gave up one run on five hits and one walk while striking out three over 4.1 innings Tuesday against the Marlins. He did not factor in the decision.

The southpaw has now gone exactly 4.1 innings while striking out three in back-to-back starts. While he has spent a large portion of the season in the bullpen, Johnson has also made 11 starts with his lone quality start coming all the way back on April 2 in Miami. His next start is scheduled for Sunday on the road against the White Sox.

Betances (4-3) earned the win with a scoreless ninth inning against the White Sox on Tuesday. He struck out two and did not issue a walk.

Betances needed only nine pitches to take care of the White Sox after entering to a 4-4 tie to start the ninth inning. Neil Walker then crushed a walkoff home run to secure the victory. Betances has allowed only two runs and 12 hits over his last 33.2 innings, dating back to late May. The 30-year-old should continue to see ninth-inning opportunities alongside Zach Britton and David Robertson with Aroldis Chapman (knee) still on the disabled list.

Jurado (2-4) allowed three runs on five hits and two walks across 3.3 innings Tuesday to take the loss against the Dodgers. He recorded one strikeout.

Jurado unraveled in the third inning, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks before he was removed with two outs. He threw just 56 percent of his pitches for strikes and struggled as he worked from behind in the count. Jurado's poor outing extends a streak of futility in which he's allowed 19 earned runs in 19.1 innings over his last four starts. He now owns an unsightly 6.69 ERA for the season and could see his role change if he continues to struggle as a regular member of the rotation.

Stanek worked around a hit with one strikeout in a scoreless inning of work Tuesday as the opener against the Braves.

Stanek threw seven of 11 pitches for strikes as he faced the minimum three batters in his inning of work, thanks to a caught stealing from Ender Inciarte. He wasn't asked to continue into the second despite the quick opening frame and has now pitched more than an inning in just one of his last seven outings. Stanek will continue to provide limited fantasy value in his present role.

Junis (7-12) got the win Tuesday, pitching a complete game with seven strikeouts against the Tigers. He allowed two runs on six hits.

Junis didn't issue a walk for the third time in four starts and was efficient in this one, tossing 104 pitches (68 strikes) en route to his first career complete game. The 25-year-old allowed a run early before yielding a solo blast in the eighth, but he otherwise stifled the Detroit bats for much of the night. He'll round out August with 38:8 K:BB over 36.2 innings and a 2.95 ERA on the month to lower his ERA on the year to 4.53 -- the lowest its been since mid-June. Next up is a road matchup in Cleveland on Monday.

Jerez was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic Los Angeles reports.

Jerez allowed eight runs (six earned) over his previous three outings (two innings), so he'll head back to the minors to work some things out before potentially returning as a September callup. Taylor Cole was summoned from the minors to take his place in the bullpen.

Mengden is scheduled to start Saturday against the Mariners, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Mengden is set to enter the rotation in place of Brett Anderson, who was placed on the disabled list with a forearm strain Tuesday. The 25-year-old fired four scoreless innings in long relief during Monday's game, lining him up to start Saturday on normal rest. Mengden owns a 4.47 ERA across 16 major-league starts this season. Seeing as Anderson and Sean Manaea (shoulder) are both dealing with potentially long-term injuries, Mengden figures to stick in the rotation for multiple turns.

Manaea was diagnosed Tuesday with left rotator cuff tendinitis and is without a definitive timetable for a return, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

This is a tough blow for Manaea and the Athletics. The southpaw will be shut down from throwing until the discomfort in his shoulder subsides, after which he'll have to build back up to throwing off a mound again. While the A's are hoping Manaea will be able to pitch again this season, there's a possibility that won't happen. Frankie Montas will be recalled from Triple-A Nashville to take Manaea's turn in the rotation for the time being.

Manager Ron Gardenhire said Norris (groin) is a candidate to start for the Tigers against the Yankees on Saturday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Norris was originally expected to work out of the bullpen when he rejoined the Tigers, but it appears those plans have changed after he looked sharp in a rehab start for Triple-A Toledo over the weekend (allowing one run through four innings with four strikeouts). Even if he's passed over for Saturday's spot start, Gardenhire said Norris will likely get a start at some point in September, according to Jason Beck of MLB.com. Norris has been on the shelf since undergoing groin surgery near the end of April. The 25-year-old compiled a 5.87 ERA and 18:9 K:BB across five appearances (two starts) with the Tigers before getting hurt.

Armstrong had his contract selected from Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Armstrong compiled an impressive 1.77 ERA and 82:26 K:BB across 56 innings of relief with Triple-A Tacoma before earning a promotion. He spent time in the majors with the Indians each of the past three seasons, posting a solid 3.53 ERA across 43.1 innings. Nick Rumbelow was sent to the minors in a corresponding roster move.