MLB Player News

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus remains high on VerHagen and thinks "he can eventually be a back end of the bullpen type of reliever," reports MLive.com.

VerHagen has been hampered by his inability to fire strikes, but has trouble commanding all of his pitches, including the curve. He needs to bear down, be more aggressive and attack batters from the first pitch, rather than try to be too fine. In 19 games with the Tigers, VerHagen has a 1-0 record, 7.11 ERA and 10 strikeouts while walking seven in 19 innings.

Betances struck out two in a scoreless inning in Sunday's win over the A's.

It's the fifth straight appearance in which Betances struck out at least two batters, and only once during that stint did he pitch more than one inning. Overall, the 28-year-old has 42 strikeouts in 21.1 innings and picked up his 11th hold Sunday, but the return of Aroldis Chapman earlier in the month has largely relegated Betances to seventh-inning duty.

Chapman struck out one during a perfect ninth inning to earn his sixth save of the season Sunday versus the Athletics.

The flame-throwing lefty was scored on in his first appearance of the season, but he has thrown six subsequent scoreless innings and now owns a 1.29 ERA and 0.57 WHIP. He appears to be in top form after missing the first month of the season and should continue on as an elite fantasy reliever.

Robertson pitched a perfect ninth inning while striking out one to earn his 11th save of the season Sunday against the Royals.

Robertson was only provided a one-run lead, but he quickly dispatched the Royals on eight pitches to close out the victory. On the season, he's only allowed a run to score twice over 16 outings and boasts a 1.02 ERA to go along with the 0.79 WHIP.

Kimbrel earned his 12th save of the season with a perfect ninth inning while striking out two Sunday against the Indians.

Kimbrel was protecting a three-run lead, and he needed only nine pitches to close out the victory. He's now held opponents scoreless over his last 10 outings and boasts a 2.37 ERA to go along with a 0.74 WHIP.

Farmer was recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Sunday.

Farmer was sent to Toledo at the beginning of the month but will now return to Detroit to replace Drew VerHagen. In five games with Toledo, Farmer posted a 3.71 ERA with 13 strikeouts.

VerHagen was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday.

VerHagen had a poor outing Friday against the Orioles, giving up three earned runs in one inning. He'll head to Toledo with a 6.50 ERA through 18 games. Buck Farmer was recalled to take VerHagen's roster spot.

Luetge was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday, Pedro Moura of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Luetge has pitched in 15 games this season for Salt Lake, compiling a 2.33 ERA, 17 strikeouts, and a save. The 29-year-old will take the roster spot previously held by Tim Lincecum, who has been optioned to Salt Lake to begin a rehab assignment.

Coulombe was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Sunday.

Coulombe will serve as the temporary replacement for starter Sonny Gray, who was placed on the DL Sunday due to a strained right trapezius muscle. The lefty reliever saw two innings earlier in the year, but was later sent back to Triple-A, where he owns a 0.56 ERA over 16 frames. Coulombe will provide bullpen depth in the short term, but his roster spot may be at risk once the A's decide on Gray's replacement in the rotation.

Schultz (hip) was activated from the disabled list and optioned to Triple-A Buffalo.

Schultz, a right-handed reliever, will provide the Blue Jays with organizational depth in the bullpen for the time being, but may be an option for middle relief in the majors if he's able to resume his pre-injury form.