MLB Player News

Duffey (4-6) surrendered four earned runs on eight hits over six innings in Saturday's 17-5 victory over the Rangers. He struck out two.

He had the psychological advantage of being staked to a 4-0 lead after an inning, but pitched well in his own right. He threw 64 of 96 pitches for strikes, and although he gave up multiple homers for the second time in the last three starts, Duffey was able to secure a second straight victory. He'll go another round with the Rangers next Thursday.

Wilson picked up a hold in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Rays. He allowed one hit and struck out one over one inning of work.

Wilson had six holds in the Tigers' first seven games, but he'd been stuck at 12 holds since June 4. Now, he has 14. Still, Wilson's 39:5 K:BB ratio is much better than the 29:10 of Tigers closer Francisco Rodriguez. He's next in line for saves should K-Rod ever falter.

Fulmer, who has been the Tigers' most consistent starter this season, is among the midseason frontrunners for the American League Rookie of the Year.

Fulmer led the majors with an 0.61 ERA in June and was second with a .140 batting average against. His 2.17 ERA would lead AL starters, but he's a few innings short of qualifying. Fulmer's bWAR is a stunning 3.2 (best on the team), which ties him with studs like Jake Arrieta, Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto and puts him behind just Clayton Kershaw, Danny Salazar, Chris Sale, Julio Teheran and Jose Fernandez. The last Tigers pitcher to burst onto the scene like this is none other than Justin Verlander, who also finished seventh in Cy Young voting that year. Fulmer's style is similar to Verlander's; hopefully his season will be, too.

Kelly (groin) will pitch out of the Red Sox's bullpen when he is recalled shortly after the All-Star break, the Providence Journal's Tim Britton reports.

This has seemingly been years in the waiting, as Kelly has always shown solid stuff with no feel for turning a lineup over. He could offer solid strikeouts and ratios if he embraces the role change, but he is behind several pitchers in Boston's bullpen in the hunt for saves and holds. Kelly is currently on the minor league DL with a groin injury, but the team expects him back in late July.

Schultz was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday, Blue Jays play-by-play announcer Mike Wilner reports.

Schultz came into Friday's 19-inning contest with the Indians and allowed three hits but no earned runs during 2.2 innings on the bump. Besides Friday's game, the 30-year-old had only made two other appearances during his brief time with the Blue Jays, allowing two earned runs during two innings of work last week.

Loup was recalled prior to Saturday's game against the Indians, Toronto play-by-play announcer Mike Wilner reports.

Loup was sent down a couple weeks ago, spending time with Triple-A Buffalo and posting a 2-0 record with a 0.00 ERA over eight innings of work. During his time at the major league level this season, the 28-year-old has compiled a 3.60 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP in 10 innings out of the bullpen.

Diaz struck out the heart of the Orioles' order Friday to preserve a 3-2 lead, giving him 26 strikeouts in 14.1 innings since his callup.

The potential tying run reached on a single after a leadoff strikeout of Adam Jones, but Diaz came back to strike out Manny Machado and Chris Davis. He got ahead with an upper-90s fastball and then rang up each on an 88-mph slider. Diaz has impressed in his short time with the Mariners. He'll likely continue to be leaned on in high-leverage situations.

Kelly (groin) reported no setbacks after throwing 20 pitches off a mound Thursday, Bill Koch of the Providence Journal reports.

Manager John Farrell said Kelly's next bullpen session will likely come Saturday, according to Conor Ryan of Mass Live, with the manager adding that the right-hander will need at least two successful sessions before he returns to game action.

Kimbrel secured his 17th save in Friday's 5-4 victory by working around a hit and a walk in the ninth inning.

Despite allowing two baserunners, Kimbrel needed only 15 pitches overall to get out of the ninth. He tempted fate by walking Mike Trout to start the inning, and then surrendering a ground-rule double to Daniel Nava with two out. However, he managed to induce a groundout from C.J. Cron, who'd hit a grand slam earlier in the contest, to seal the victory. It was the veteran closer's fifth consecutive successfully converted save opportunity.

Fulmer (8-2) pitched eight shutout innings on two hits and one walk while striking out 10 to earn the win Friday at the Rays.

Fulmer completely dominated the Rays, and the offense scored seven runs while he was in the game to give him an easy victory. He's now held opponents to one run or fewer in each of his last eight starts to lower his ERA to 2.17. He'll make his next start Wednesday at the Indians.