MLB Player News

Barnes struck out two over 1.2 scoreless innings to earn his 14th hold in Sunday's 9-3 win over the Astros.

The outing extended Barnes' scoreless streak to 11 innings (10 games), in which he's shaved his ERA to 2.10, struck out 14 and walked just three. The K's will always be there for the hard-throwing right-hander, but the free passes are what jump out. When Barnes gets into trouble, the culprit is typically bases on balls -- he's walked 4.2 per nine innings this season and 3.7 for his career.

Giles allowed two runs on three hits and struck out two over one inning in a non-save situation Sunday against the Red Sox.

Giles hadn't pitched in a couple of days and with a scheduled day off coming Monday, manager A.J. Hinch brought his closer into a game that Houston was losing 7-3 before Giles surrendered a two-run single to Sam Travis. It shouldn't be shocking to see him permit runs in a non-save situation. Giles has a 9.90 ERA this season in 12 outings when the game isn't on the line.

Diaz got the save against the Rays on Sunday, striking out one without allowing any baserunners over a clean ninth inning to close out Seattle's 2-1 victory.

After blowing the save in the first game of the series against the Rays, Diaz has bounced back with consecutive drama-free efforts to pump his save total up to an American League-leading 21 on the season. His ballistic 52:12 K:BB and 0.85 WHIP over his 31.2 innings both support that number, and pitching for a Seattle team that has been winning a lot of close games bodes well for his prospects at continuing to see plenty of opportunities as the primary ninth-inning man.

Graveman was placed on the 7-day disabled list at Triple-A Nashville on Sunday due to a right forearm strain, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Fortunately for Graveman, he underwent an MRI which revealed no structural damage to his throwing arm, leaving the organization optimistic that he won't be sidelined longer than 10 days. The injury is nonetheless an untimely development for the soft-tossing hurler, who might have been next in line for a promotion to the big leagues if a replacement in the rotation is needed for Daniel Gossett (elbow) during the upcoming week.

Kontos signed a minor-league contract with the Indians on Sunday.

Kontos was let go by the Pirates last week after submitting a 5.03 ERA and striking out just nine batters in 19.2 innings on the season. The right-hander's significant decline in average velocity was likely at the root of his struggles, so it's difficult to envision him rediscovering the strong form he exhibited in the past few seasons unless he regains a couple ticks on his fastball.

Covey allowed one unearned run on four hits and three walks across five innings in a no-decision Sunday against the Brewers. He struck out seven.

Covey allowed a run on an error in the fifth inning, which gave the visitors the lead. His side rallied to a comfortable victory later in the game, but he was already out of the game and didn't earn a win. Still, Covey delivered a useful outing, keeping his team in the game and giving it a chance to win. He's alternated good and bad outings of late, but his 4.0 BB/9 remains an area he needs to improve on if he's to hover anywhere near his current 2.82 ERA. He'll look to do just that in his next scheduled start Friday against the Red Sox.

Junis (5-5) allowed three runs on six hits and one walk across 7.1 innings while taking the loss against the Athletics on Sunday. He struck out nine.

Junis cruised through the first seven innings, allowing just one run while scattering baserunners. Things got away from him just a bit in the eighth, when he allowed a run prior to his removal and watched as the bullpen allowed another one of his men to cross. He still threw the ball quite well, setting a new season high in strikeouts while inducing 17 swinging strikes. Junis has now posted back-to-back quality starts and will take a solid 3.62 ERA into his next start against this same Oakland team.

Fulmer (2-5) took the loss Sunday against the Blue Jays, as he gave up four earned runs over six innings of work. He allowed five hits and three walks while striking out three.

Fulmer was better than he was in his last effort, when he allowed five runs over just 3.1 innings, but the righty still took his second straight loss. After beginning the year with a 2.80 ERA across his first six starts, Fulmer has posted a 6.90 ERA across his subsequent six. He'll look to get back on track in his next assignment, which is scheduled for Friday against the Indians.

The Tigers will select VerHagen's contract from Triple-A Toledo on Monday and have him start Game 1 of their doubleheader with the Yankees, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

It was expected that Sandy Baez would enter the rotation Monday with the doubleheader necessitating a temporary sixth starter, but that assignment will instead fall to VerHagen, who opened the season in a bullpen role for the big club before being outrighted off the 40-man roster. Since heading back to the minors, VerHagen has transitioned to a starting role and has been utterly dominant, supplying a 1.32 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 41:8 K:BB in 27.1 innings. If he fares well during Monday's start, VerHagen could earn another turn in the rotation later in the week with neither Jordan Zimmermann (shoulder) nor Francisco Liriano (hamstring) likely on track to return from the disabled list until at least the middle of the month.

Banda was placed on the 7-day disabled list at Triple-A Durham on Sunday due to a left forearm strain, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The injury will almost certainly keep Banda out beyond the minimum amount of time, but the lefty will head to Tampa to receive an evaluation from the Rays' team doctors before a formal timetable for his return is established. It's unfortunate timing for Banda, who may have been in line for a promotion back to the big club this week with Chris Archer's (groin) status in question for his next scheduled start.