MLB Player News

Thursday's MRI revealed a muscle strain in Santiago's pitching shoulder, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The southpaw is already on the disabled list due to a left shoulder injury, and Thursday's MRI confirmed the team's expectation that he is dealing with a strain. Miller adds that the muscle strain is located on the back of Santiago's shoulder. There's still no firm timetable for Santiago's return at this point, which makes the recently claimed Chris Heston a possible rotation stop-gap for the time being.

Fulmer (6-4) lasted just 4.1 innings in a loss to the Angels Thursday. He allowed nine hits and five runs (all earned), while striking out only one batter.

Fulmer started the season with 10 straight quality starts, but he's now failed to record a quality start in his last two outings, giving up 10 earned runs in 11.1 innings during that span. Still, the young right-hander has generally looked very good since his debut last season, so fantasy owners should consider this rough patch a blip on the radar. Fulmer is slated to take the hill again on Wednesday against the Diamondbacks at home.

VerHagen may get the nod for Saturday's game against the Red Sox if Justin Verlander (groin) is unable to throw, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

At this point the Tigers are optimistic that Verlander will be able to make his scheduled start, but signs are pointing to VerHagen taking his place if the ace is unable to pitch. Daniel Norris could also be a candidate to start Saturday's game and move up a day instead of going for the series finale Sunday. VerHagen has yet to make an appearance at the big league level for Detroit this season, but has compiled a 4.29 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP with a 38:28 K:BB in 56.2 innings at Triple-A Toledo this year.

Andriese (groin) will make his return from the DL on Saturday, pitching the second game of the Rays doubleheader, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Andriese threw a successful bullpen session Wednesday, and will head back to the big leagues after a brief stint on the disabled list with a mild groin strain. Thus far in 2017, the right-hander has gone 5-1 in 11 contests, amassing a 3.45 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP, to go along with 54 strikeouts and 21 walks.

McHugh (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Despite throwing off a mound at the end of May, McHugh still remains without a timetable for return. This made him an easy choice to be moved from the 40-man roster to allow top prospect Francis Martes to head to Houston for his big-league debut. It's unlikely that McHugh will be able to make an impact with the Astros until the second half of the season, although more information on his recovery progress should come forth once he ramps up his throwing program.

Scott will transition back into a bullpen role, and could make his MLB debut later this year, Jon Meoli of The Baltimore Sun reports.

As part of a development plan, the hard-throwing lefty opened the campaign as a starter. Orioles director of player development Brian Graham said Monday that "it'll be at some point this year" when Scott resumes his normal bullpen role in preparation for a mid- to late-season promotion. To complement an upper-90s fastball, the 22-year-old has been perfecting a slider while improving his command at Double-A Bowie. Through 33 innings this year, he owns a stellar 1.64 ERA with 43 strikeouts, but his 22 walks illustrate there's work still to be done. Scott projects to be a high-leverage reliever in due time.

Kelly has a 1.42 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 25.1 innings this season.

The former starter has tossed 12 straight scoreless innings since the start of May with only six hits and two walks allowed. The 28-year-old is seeing more high-leverage situations and has recorded a hold in three of his last four appearances. Kelly has a low K/9 (6.4) thus far but has kept the ball down with a GB/FB rate of 1.90 during his scoreless streak.

Zych has recorded a WHIP of 1.28 and ERA of 2.30 through 15.2 innings.

Initially thought by some to be heading to the minors after being removed from the disabled list in April, Zych has worked his way to becoming one of the most trusted arms in Seattle's bullpen. He's been able to buckle down in tough spots, stranding 84.2 percent of baserunners. He also has a save and three holds this year, signs that the coaching staff isn't afraid to hand the ball to the 26-year-old in stressful situations.

Coulombe has pitched 18.2 innings this year with a 2.41 ERA and 1.29 WHIP.

Since becoming the only southpaw reliever in Oakland after Sean Doolittle's placement on the disabled list in early May, Coulombe has shined out of the bullpen. In 10.1 innings, he has allowed two runs and struck out 13. He's recently seemed to have won the trust of manager Bob Melvin, who has handed him the ball with leads in his last two appearances, leading to his first two holds of the year. The gained trust is promising for Coulombe moving forward, but with Doolittle nearing return, the high-leverage usage could start trending down.

Diaz (2-2) fired a scoreless ninth inning in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Twins, allowing one hit.

The 23-year-old closer was in line for the victory once Mike Zunino blasted a go-ahead two-run home run in the eighth, and he was able to successfully parlay that opportunity into his second win through an efficient 11 pitches. Diaz is in the midst of an impressive stretch in which he's compiled six scoreless efforts in seven appearances, along with a .194 wOBA, 1.13 ERA, .161 BAA and 0.88 WHIP across eight innings.