MLB Player News

Tigers pitcher Buck Farmer (forearm) tossed a scoreless sixth inning against the White Sox on Tuesday, retiring the side in order and striking out two. He needed 17 pitches to get through the frame, but it was a successful return for Farmer after two weeks on the shelf with forearm tightness.

There was some concern initially that the injury could cost Farmer the rest of the season. In 13 appearances (five starts) with the big club this year, spanning 38 1/3 innings, Farmer has posted a 7.51 ERA and 1.75 WHIP.

Twins pitcher Trevor May was unavailable Tuesday due to lower back spasms, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. 

May is day to day, but he could be wearing down the final two weeks of the season as he missed time last week with a sore hip.

Angels starter Hector Santiago earned his ninth win despite a shaky outing Monday against the Astros, as he allowed two runs on four hits and five walks over five innings. He struck out four.

Luckily, Santiago managed to scatter the four hits, as all four were extra-base knocks, including two solo home runs. Santiago threw more balls (41) than strikes (40) and gave up 10 fly balls against one grounder, but he did just enough to keep his team in it and prevent the Astros from picking up a big inning. His ERA sits at 3.47, but he has just two quality starts in his last six outings and more walks (24) than strikeouts (22) in that span. He's hanging on for dear life at this point.

Tigers starter Daniel Norris was perfect through five innings Tuesday night in a 2-1 win over the White Sox. He struck out four.

He was on a strict pitch count of 60-65, given it was just his second game back from the disabled list. He fired 41 of his 63 pitches for strikes and induced seven ground-ball outs. The Tigers actually carried the no hitter right into the ninth inning, but it ended with one out. Norris has great potential and more outings like this will help ease the sting of David Price's Cy-like season

White Sox closer David Robertson managed to secure his 30th save in spite of surrendering three hits and two earned runs in one inning in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Indians. He also struck out a batter.

It marked the third consecutive outing in which Robertson has made it interesting in the late innings, with the White Sox closer giving up a one-out, two-run homer in the ninth to Chris Johnson to pull the Indians within a run. The veteran reliever then surrendered a single to Abraham Almonte and secured the final out of the ballgame, and the save, by picking him off first base.

Despite Saturday's narrow escape, Robertson's 21.00 ERA and two homers surrendered over his last three innings has to be somewhat concerning to both his team and fantasy owners.

Tigers hurler Buck Farmer (forearm) could be available to pitch Monday in the Tigers' doubleheader with the White Sox, Chris McCosky of the Detroit News reports.

Farmer completed a bullpen session Friday and is scheduled to toss another Sunday, which should be his last step before receiving clearance to return to the Tigers' relief corps. He'll likely serve as a long man out of the bullpen after floundering as a starter earlier this season.

Rays relief pitcher Brad Boxberger allowed a run on one hit, he did not walk a batter and struck out one in an inning of work to log his 35th save against the Orioles on Friday night.

He has struggled mightily of late and while he picked up a save in this one, he allowed a home run to Steve Pearce, and saw his ERA drift even higher to 3.90 on the year. The Rays don't have a lot of viable options other than perhaps Jake McGee when he returns, so Boxberger could finish out the year as their closer despite his poor performance.

Twins pitcher Trevor May (hip) is expected to be availabe Friday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

May was unavailable each of the past two days with a lower back and hip issue, but reported feeling much better Friday. The 25-year-old has thrived since moving to a setup role, but has struggled to a 6.14 ERA in seven September appearances.

Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski prefers pitcher Joe Kelly (shoulder) as a starter, the Boston Globe reports. The right-handed Kelly, who has been shut down for the season with soreness in his shoulder, had been considered as a candidate for the bullpen.

Dombrowski feels there's more value in a pitcher who can start and eat up innings and feels that's how Kelly is best deployed.

Angels starter Hector Santiago couldn't escape the first inning Thursday, giving up five runs on five hits and a walk while getting just two outs against the Twins.

He was fortunate to avoid taking the loss, as Tommy Milone gave up a five spot of his own while recording only four outs, but that's the only silver lining on this start for Santiago. He's been due for regression, as Santiago's K:BB is a hideous 23:22 over his last seven starts, and yet he's managed three quality starts in that span. With the problems Santiago's had, he can't be trusted down the stretch, especially next week against an Astros team that's fighting for a playoff spot.