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Bailey Horn P | DET
Tigers' Bailey Horn: Back in Toledo
The Tigers optioned Horn to Triple-A Toledo on Friday.
Horn has given up just one run in 5.1 innings since joining the big-league squad Sept. 2, lowering his ERA in the majors to 1.59 through 11.1 frames. Despite his strong performance, he'll be pushed back to the minor leagues by Kyle Finnegan (groin), who returned from the injured list Friday.
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Kyle Finnegan RP | DET
Tigers' Kyle Finnegan: Officially activated
The Tigers reinstated Finnegan (groin) from the injured list Friday.
Finnegan has sat out the entire month of September while dealing with a right groin strain. He made one rehab appearance for Triple-A Toledo on Thursday, striking out one batter and walking another over two-thirds of an inning, and he now has the green light to return to Detroit's bullpen. The 34-year-old righty has pitched 14.1 shutout frames with a 19:3 K:BB since joining the Tigers at the trade deadline and could get save opportunities down the stretch.
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Lucas Erceg RP | KC
Royals' Lucas Erceg: On injured list
The Royals placed Erceg on the 15-day injured list Friday due to a right shoulder impingement.
The move essentially ends Erceg's season, as the Royals haven't officially been eliminated from playoff contention but remain seven games out from the final wild-card spot with nine games to play. The 30-year-old has a 2.64 ERA and 48:18 K:BB in 61.1 innings this season. He's tallied an 8-4 record with 23 holds as well. Steven Cruz (shoulder) was activated from the IL in a corresponding move.
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Steven Cruz RP | KC
Royals' Steven Cruz: Returns from IL
The Royals activated Cruz (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Friday.
Cruz has been on the shelf since Aug. 3 due to tendinitis in his throwing shoulder, but he's been cleared to rejoin the active roster. The 26-year-old made four appearances during a minor-league rehab stint, allowing three hits and no walks with four strikeouts across 4.1 innings. Lucas Erceg (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.
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Kyle Finnegan RP | DET
Tigers' Kyle Finnegan: Activation pending
Finnegan (groin) is expected to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list Friday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.
Finnegan said he is "ready to go" for Friday's contest. The 34-year-old right-hander has been on the shelf since the start of September due to a right adductor strain. He'll likely compete with Will Vest for saves during the closing days of the regular season.
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Troy Melton SP | DET
Tigers' Troy Melton: Takes loss in relief
Melton (3-2) allowed two runs on two hits across 1.2 innings of relief to take the loss Thursday against the Guardians. He walked one and struck out one.
Melton relieved starter Tarik Skubal, who left after six innings with the game tied 1-1, and promptly allowed two runs to take the loss. This was the rookie's first loss in a relief appearance, as his other loss came in his MLB debut back on July 23, when he allowed six runs in five innings as a starter. As a reliever, Melton now has a 2.66 ERA across 23.2 innings in 11 outings, and he's struck out 17 batters. He should maintain a key role in Detroit's bullpen given his ability to provide length.