MLB Player News

Pomeranz (15-5) allowed two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out seven across six innings to earn the victory Friday against the Rays.

Pomeranz held the Rays scoreless through four innings, and by that time he already had a 8-0 lead, as he easily coasted to his 15th victory of the season. This is the first time in five outings that he's posted a quality start, but he's still been a major fantasy factor for the entire campaign. He'll make his next start Thursday against the Athletics.

Farmer (4-2) allowed two runs, one of which was earned, on five hits and two walks while striking out three across five innings to earn the victory Friday against the Blue Jays.

Farmer fired four innings of shutout ball before allowing single runs in the fifth and sixth innings, but he left the game with the 4-2 lead, which was enough to help him earn his fourth victory of the campaign. This was the first time he's allowed fewer than three runs in any of his last five outings, and his 6.32 ERA makes him a difficult player to trust in fantasy lineups this late in the season. He'll make his next start Wednesday against the Indians.

Santiago (back) is unlikely to return to the mound this season, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Santiago recently suffered a setback during his rehab assignment, and appears to have pitched his last game until spring training. The 29-year-old felt tightness in his lower back, and could use some time off to rest before pushing his body to return to the field.

Alexander will see more chances out of the ninth inning in the near future, following manager Ned Yost's removal of Kelvin Herrera from the closer's role prior to Friday's contest, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Alexander has picked up three saves throughout the course of the 2017 season, all coming within the past three weeks as Kelvin Herrara has continued to struggle and nurse a forearm injury. Yost stated that Brandon Maurer, Mike Minor and Alexander will split the duties moving forward, and although it remains to be seen how that will eventually shake out, it appears as though Maurer will get the first crack at the job, as he's recorded 21 saves during his time between San Diego and Kansas City this season. During 48 relief appearances for Alexander, he's posted a 2.12 ERA and 1.23 WHIP this year.

Maurer will get an opportunity to earn saves in the closer's role with Mike Minor and Scott Alexander following Kelvin Herrera's removal from the ninth-inning perch, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Maurer delivered in his first save opportunity as the Royals' closer during Sunday's victory against the Twins. That chance came along due to the fact that Herrera was dealing with a forearm strain, but now it appears as though the ninth-inning role in wide open as the club makes a push for a wild-card spot. Even though Minor and Alexander will also get their opportunities, and have been much better this season, they have only combined to notch three combined saves all year, which could give Maurer the upper hand moving forward.

Fulmer, who was tapped to start Sunday's game against the Giants, is not necessarily in the rotation for the rest of the season, Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Manager Rick Renteria said he could grant spot starts to left-hander David Holmberg and right-hander Dylan Covey this month, but with Carlos Rodon (shoulder) scratched from his most recent start, there will be no shortage of opportunities for Fulmer.

Belisle retired all three Royals he faced Thursday en route to his sixth save.

Belisle worked a clean bottom of the ninth after Minnesota's offense scored three runs off Kansas City closer Kelvin Herrera to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 lead in the top of the frame. He has transitioned seamlessly into the closer role with six saves in seven tries since taking over for Brandon Kintzler.

Fulmer will start Sunday against the Giants, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Fulmer, the eighth overall pick in 2015, has worked primarily out of the bullpen in the majors, but he will get a chance to start Sunday opposite Madison Bumgarner. The White Sox say they still think Fulmer can make it as a starting pitcher in the big leagues despite his limited success in that role at the upper levels of the minors. Walks have really held him back -- he issued 65 free passes in 126 innings with Triple-A Charlotte this season.

Jimenez, who allowed five earned runs in a third of an inning Wednesday, said his decreased velocity is not responsible for his struggles, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

As has been the case in recent weeks, Jimenez was touching 93 and 94 mph with his fastball, not the high 90s he displayed in the minor leagues. However, the 22-year-old said location is to blame for his struggles. "(Speed) is the last thing I'm worried about right now. I'm not concerned about my velocity," he said. Jimenez is full of potential and still could be a future closer for Detroit, but until he harnesses his stuff, he won't be on the fantasy radar.

Lopez (0-3) allowed one run on six hits and two walks while striking out two over six innings in Wednesday's 5-1 loss to the Indians.

Lopez pitched well enough to win, but had to overcome an impotent offense and lackadaisical defense. The defense made several miscues behind him, putting runners on base and upping his pitch count. Each time, Lopez bore down and extricated himself from the jam before the Indians were finally able to take advantage of one too many defensive gaffes. He managed to keep the White Sox in the game, but Chicago's run-challenged order refused to bail him out. This was his third quality start in four outings, with the White Sox having scored only three runs over the 18 innings while he's been on the mound in those three starts. The one non-quality outing was when he suffered a back injury. His next start comes Monday on the road in Kansas City.