MLB Player News

Crockett was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Crockett was sent back to the minors as part of a flurry of moves during Saturday's doubleheader with the Twins. Since Crockett represented the Tribe's most expendable reliever, he was optioned prior to Game 1 in order to open up a spot on the 25-man roster for pitcher Ryan Merritt, who started that contest. Merritt was then optioned to Triple-A after his start to clear a spot for third baseman Giovanny Urshela, who entered the lineup in the nightcap.

Armstrong was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Sunday.

Armstrong will rejoin the big club for the fourth time this season after previously making nine appearances out of the bullpen for the Tribe, compiling a 6.00 ERA and 13 strikeouts over 12 innings. The Indians will likely limit Armstrong's exposure to high-leverage work while he remains with the team, so he won't have an easy path to fantasy relevance.

Colome struck out one and allowed just one hit in 1.2 scoreless innings to earn his 19th save of the season Saturday against the Tigers.

It was smooth sailing for Colome, who notched his first save in nearly a week after recording the final five outs. He was brought on in the eighth inning with a runner on second base but was able to strike out Alex Presley before ending the inning with a Nick Castellanos groundout. Colome now owns an impressive 1.95 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 29 strikeouts in 32.1 innings this season, while his 19 saves remain tied for the second-highest total in all of baseball.

Santiago (shoulder) threw his second bullpen in three days Saturday and could be activated from the DL to start Thursday against the White Sox, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The Twins had debated whether to move Santiago to the bullpen, but it sounds like he'll return as a starter given how the back end of the rotation has struggled.

Junis gave up five runs on eight hits while striking out six over 5.1 innings Saturday against the Angels.

Cameron Maybin and Albert Pujols both took the rookie deep in his fourth career start. While he is capable of missing bats, his 5.56 ERA and 1.72 WHIP illustrate the ratio damage he can do. If he remains in the big-league rotation, Junis will face the Blue Jays in a home series next weekend.

Fulmer (6-5) allowed three runs on six hits in 6.2 innings during Saturday's loss to the Rays. He struck out three batters and walked four.

After allowing 10 runs over his previous two starts (11.2 innings), Fulmer bounced back to toss a quality start despite getting tagged with his fifth loss of the season. The 24-year-old wasn't at his sharpest, however, as he walked more batters than he struck out for the first time this season. Still, Fulmer sports a respectable 3.45 ERA over 13 starts (86 innings). His next turn in the rotation is scheduled for Thursday against the Mariners.

Kahnle entered Saturday's game with one out and two men on in the seventh inning and induced an inning-ending double play in a 5-2 win over Toronto.

Kahnle went on to pitch the eighth inning as well, striking out two to finish off a scoreless 1.2 innings for his seventh hold of the season. The 27-year-old right-hander has emerged as the high-leverage option for manager Rick Renteria, who hasn't had Nate Jones (elbow) since early May. With 48 strikeouts over 28.1 innings, Kahnle is looking like an effective setup man who won't be dislodged from his current role when Jones returns.

Merritt allowed three runs (two earned) over four innings against the Twins in Saturday's win. He allowed seven hits and notched a pair of strikeouts in his spot start and was optioned after the game.

The Indians provided Merritt plenty of run support, staking him to a three-run lead before he even took the mound. Merritt was serviceable as a spot starter, but it was clear even before he was recalled Saturday that he wouldn't stick in the rotation beyond this outing. He'll head back to Triple-A Columbus as a starter and figures to stay there for the foreseeable future barring a rash of injuries to the Indians' rotation.

Busenitz had his contract purchased from Triple-A Rochester ahead of Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Indians, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

As expected, Busenitz will join the Twins as an extra bullpen arm Saturday. He'll take the spot of Adam Wilk, who was designated for assignment following Game 1. Although Busenitz isn't considered a top prospect, he could stick around in the big-league bullpen if he is able to replicate the impressive numbers he put up with Rochester (2.15 ERA and 32:9 K:BB in 29.1 innings).

Robertson cruised through the ninth inning to pick up his 11th save of the season Saturday against the Blue Jays. He stuck out two batters and didn't allow a baserunner while finishing the inning with 14 pitches.

Saturday was Robertson's first clean inning since May 29, a span of four outings. His ERA is down to 3.20 and he owns a strong 0.87 WHIP alongside a 13.26 K/9. Robertson continues to be a reliable option in the back end and his 11 saves rank him eighth in the American League.