MLB Player News

Smith is expected to be optioned Saturday to Triple-A Buffalo in order to make room for a backup catcher following Russell Martin's oblique injury Friday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

With a pair of backup catchers already on the DL, Martin's injury leaves the club with no choice but to pick up a backstop for Saturday's affair with the Pirates. Add in Chris Rowley, Saturday's starter, needing a spot on the 40-man roster and the Jays have themselves bending over backwards trying to make it all work. In the end, Smith will be the odd man out just two days after being recalled.

Chapman allowed one run on three walks over one inning to earn his 15th save Friday against the Red Sox.

Chapman had terrible control issues, but since he was protecting a two-run lead, he was able to convert the save despite allowing a run. This was the first run he's allowed since July 20, and he's brought his ERA down to 3.06. Despite three blown saves and a 1.30 ERA, as long as he keeps getting the ball in the ninth inning, he'll continue to be a strong fantasy option.

Diaz (2-5) gave up three earned runs on a hit and three walks in Thursday's 6-3 loss to the Angels.

Asked to preserve a 3-3 tie coming into the ninth, Diaz got matters off on the wrong foot by issuing consecutive walks and eventually surrendering a bases-clearing double to Mike Trout. The 23-year-old had put together six straight scoreless appearances prior to Thursday and had already racked up five saves in his first five outings of August. Despite the stumble, his 69 strikeouts over 50.1 innings and 25-for-29 record in save opportunities continue to render him an elite closer option in any fantasy format.

Hendriks allowed two unearned runs on two hits over an inning in Thursday's 7-2 loss to the Orioles. He also recorded a strikeout.

Hendriks allowed a two-run double to Adam Jones, making it his fourth consecutive outing in which he's surrendered at least one run. The 28-year-old reliever has struggled with consistency throughout the season, as evidenced by his 5.55 ERA and 1.51 WHIP. While he offers plenty of strikeout upside (59:21 K:BB in 47 innings), it's often offset by his struggles in other categories.

Norris (groin) threw two innings of a simulated game Friday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Norris threw 35 pitches in the simulated game, a step down from the 40 he threw in his most recent bullpen session. However, he appears to be ready to go out on a rehab assignment. Owners should remain hesitant for now though. This trip will be his second comeback attempt from his groin injury after he had to abandon the first one back in mid-July after aggravating the strain. He'll have to make at least three rehab starts before returning to Detroit, putting into question whether or not he will be able to return before September.

Fulmer (elbow) is expected to return Monday and start the series opener against the Rangers, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

While manager Brad Ausmus has yet to confirm Fulmer's return to the rotation, Fulmer's optimism and lack of setbacks after his latest bullpen session is a good sign that he will avoid a rehab assignment and return quickly from the elbow issues that have kept him out since early August. The 24-year-old has a 3.59 ERA this season with a clean 100 strikeouts but showed control issues in his most recent start, walking three and hitting one batter over six innings against the Yankees.

Fulmer (elbow) was able to throw a rain-shortened bullpen session prior to Friday's game against the Twins, MLB.com's Jason Beck reports.

Depending on the results of Friday's bullpen, Fulmer could be in line to return to the rotation for next week's series against the Rangers. The right-hander landed on the DL with right elbow neuritis just over a week ago after getting rocked by the Yankees during the last couple innings of his latest start. Manager Brad Ausmus will likely address Fulmer's status within the next couple of days.

Lopez was called up by the White Sox prior to his start against the Royals on Friday.

Lopez will make his first start as a member of the White Sox after coming to the club in the Adam Eaton trade this past offseason. He has accumulated a 3.79 ERA with Triple-A Charlotte this season, to go along with a 1.24 WHIP and 131:49 K:BB over the course of 121 innings. The 23-year-old is one of the top 10 prospects in Chicago's system, and was able to make six starts for the Nationals last year, posting a 4.91 ERA in 44 innings. Moving forward, it's expected that Lopez will be a mainstay in the rotation as the White Sox look to provide opportunities to their prospects during the rest of the 2017 campaign.

Rowley will start Saturday's game against the Pirates for his major-league debut, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Rowley will take the mound just two days shy of his 27th birthday, as he is set to make his big-league debut after spending time in Double-A and Triple-A this season. Throughout the 2017 campaign with both New Hampshire and Buffalo, the right-hander has impressed the Toronto brass, posting a combined 2.29 ERA in 106.1 innings this season. Over his last five starts with Buffalo, Rowley has given up eight earned runs in over 31 innings while accumulating 20 strikeouts. The undrafted West Point Military Academy graduate didn't pitch at all in 2014 or 2015 after signing a minor-league deal with the club in June of 2013, but came back to baseball last season and pitched well with High-A Dunedin. It remains to be seen whether Rowley will get another opportunity with the Blue Jays following this weekend's start, but there doesn't seem to be much left for him to accomplish at the Triple-A level.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Jimenez will be used in low-leverage situations until his performance warrants late-game work, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Jimenez hasn't pitched since Aug. 6, when he allowed four earned runs and retired just two batters. Ausmus said he hasn't given up on the young flamethrower, but he'll also pick his spots when using him. "We'll probably pitch Joe in softer situations," Ausmus said. "And if he gets rolling, he'll graduate to tighter situations." Jimenez could be the Tigers' closer of the future, but his fantasy value this year looks pretty low.