MLB Player News

Duffey gave up four runs over 6.1 innings with two strikeouts and three walks, but got a no-decision in Saturday's win over Cleveland.

Duffey had been on a roll before the All-Star break with a 2.25 ERA and 19:4 K:BB in 20 innings over his last three starts. His second half begins with a mediocre outing, but his strong finish to the first half of the season should give him stability in the rotation for the near term.

Diekman (finger) has been able to throw from flat ground, but hasn't received clearance to throw from the mound, MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan reports.

Diekman is eligible to come off the DL on Friday, but there's been no speculation on if he'll be ready by then. A brief rehab assignment would seem to be needed, and Diekman would seem to be several days away at a minimum from beginning one at this point.

Harvey (groin) was forced to leave his start for short-season Aberdeen on Saturday with right flexor mass soreness, Roch Kubatko of MASN reports.

Harvey lasted just 23 pitches and four outs before leaving the start.

Kelly pitched two scoreless innings Friday to pick up the save for Triple-A Pawtucket. He allowed one hit and struck out three without walking a batter.

Kelly was impressive in his first appearance out of the bullpen at the Triple-A level, striking out the side in the ninth inning -- all swinging strikes. If Kelly sustains this type of success in a relief role, he could be called up to Boston to shore up a bullpen that has shown some cracks this season. Red Sox manager John Farrell told Christopher Smith of Mass Live that he wants Kelly to be a multi-inning reliever, a role in which Kelly can use all of his pitches. "I wouldn't want a pitcher to eliminate a pitch because he's in another role," Farrell said. "Now, it's going to be dependent on what attack plan for a given hitter. There may be games where his curveball may be more of a feel for him than his slider."

Leclerc was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Leclerc will head back to Triple-A ball with Yu Darvish getting activated off the 15-day DL. Leclerc struggled with command during his first stint in the majors, allowing eight walks in 5.2 innings, but he allowed only one earned run during his three appearances (1.59 ERA).

Mengden lasted just 3.1 innings in Friday's start versus Toronto, allowing six runs on six hits and three walks. He struck out two and did not factor into the decision.

The Blue Jays got to Mengden early and often, as they got to him for three runs over the second and third innings before putting five men on base and scoring four more times in the fourth to chase him from the game. Mengden has now allowed 16 earned runs in just 13.1 innings over his last three starts, raising his ERA 2.34 runs to 5.15 after a strong start to his Major League career. He will try to right the ship in his next start Wednesday versus Houston.

Santiago improved to 7-4 with Friday's win over the White Sox, striking out seven with no walks across seven scoreless innings.

Santiago took a 15-inning scoreless streak into the All-Star break, which he extended with Friday's dominant outing in which he threw 76 percent of his pitches for strikes and induced 13 swings and misses. The lefty has lowered his ERA to 4.27 during this impressive run and will look to keep it rolling Wednesday versus the struggling Rangers.

Robertson (leg) said he feels great and is ready to go for Friday's game against the Angels.

He was unavailable for the team's final two games before the break due to a high left leg strain, but it seems Robertson has put the injury behind him and is ready to return to the closer role. Control issues plagued Robertson throughout the first half but he still managed to go 23-for-25 in save opportunities, and he has shown some improvement with his control of late with one walk in his last five appearances.

Garton was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Garton allowed no earned runs in seven of his nine appearances during his second stint in the majors this season but gave up a combined six earned runs in the other two. All in all, it tallied out to a 6.75 ERA and 1.75 WHIP since his call up on June 21. The 26-year-old reliever will now head back to Triple-A Durham where he's produced a much more impressive 2.31 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 23.1 innings.

Fulmer was called up from Double-A Birmingham prior to Friday's game against the Angels. He will work out of the big league bullpen.

The No. 8 overall pick in last year's draft, Fulmer was fast-tracked to the big leagues in the same manner as Chris Sale and Carlos Rodon before him, although Fulmer is not quite that same caliber of pitching prospect. He had a really rough start to the season at Double-A, but rebounded of late, notching a 4.34 ERA in June and 1.50 ERA in July. While the White Sox will deploy Fulmer as a reliever this season, it's likely he will still be developed as a starter long term. However, given his competitiveness, high-effort delivery, 6-foot stature and two plus pitches (fastball and curveball), he has the look of a future high-leverage reliever if he doesn't make it as a starter. Fulmer has the potential to offer over a strikeout per inning and solid ratios down the stretch, although he is unlikely to be in the mix for saves.