MLB Player News

The Tigers optioned Lucas to Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday.

Lucas' stay with the big club lasted just one day, and he went unused out of the bullpen in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Phillies. He'll be replaced on the 26-man active roster by right-hander Keider Montero, who was called up from Toledo to serve as a bulk reliever in Wednesday's series finale versus Philadelphia.

Holton will serve as the Tigers' opening pitcher in Wednesday's game versus the Phillies, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

With left-handed sluggers Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper in the top three of the batting order, the Phillies are targets for southpaw openers. Holton will be followed by Keider Montero, who will be called up from Triple-A Toledo and will be deployed as a bulk reliever.

Hendriks (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Red Sox pitching coach Andrew Bailey said Hendriks has been throwing "half-mound" sessions, but Wednesday's activity marks the reliever's first session throwing on the top of the mound since undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery last August. If Wednesday's workout goes well, a normal progression would have Hendriks throwing two bullpen sessions per week before ramping up to face hitters.

Hader allowed a solo home run and a walk with three strikeouts during Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Rockies.

Hader stepped into the game for the ninth inning despite not being eligible for the save and gave up his first home run since June 9 to Michael Toglia. After a shaky start to 2024, Hader owns a 2.25 ERA with 30 strikeouts and eight saves over his last 19 appearances. He's also walking batters at his lowest clip since 2019, with 2.4 BB/9 in 2024.

Spence (4-4) took the loss Tuesday, allowing six runs on eight hits and a walk across 5.1 innings against the Angels. He struck out six.

Spence surrendered his most runs in an outing this season Tuesday, with five of those runs coming in the fourth inning. The rookie right-hander allowed the first four batters he faced in the fourth to reach safely before Mickey Moniak cleared the bases with a grand slam. While Spence has been a bit inconsistent as a starter, he owns a 4.40 ERA in starts along with a 34:9 K:BB over 43.0 innings. He's projected for a rematch against the Angels early next week.

Estevez picked up the save Tuesday against Oakland, allowing one hit with two strikeouts across a scoreless ninth inning.

Estevez's streak of eight consecutive perfect innings came to an end Tuesday. However, he converted on his ninth straight save attempt and hasn't allowed an earned run since May 20. While saves have come at a premium for an Angels team that rests 12 games below .500, Estevez has made the most of his opportunity and is on pace for career lows in ERA and WHIP.

Hernandez (0-1) took the loss versus the Marlins on Tuesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.

Hernandez hadn't given up a run over his first 3.2 innings back in the majors since his recall June 18. That changed in the seventh inning Tuesday, as the Marlins got RBI singles from Nick Gordon and Jazz Chisholm to flip the script on the Royals. Hernandez has allowed three runs (two earned) with a 3:4 K:BB over seven innings across eight appearances this year. While initially thought to be an option for high-leverage work, Hernandez suffered a shoulder impingement in spring training and has yet to record a save or hold in the majors this year.

Avila (2-1) walked three batters over 2.1 scoreless and hitless innings to earn the win over the Orioles on Tuesday.

While it wasn't conventionally a strong outing, it got the job done for the Guardians after starter Logan Allen was limited to three innings. Avila is riding a 17.2-inning scoreless streak, during which he has an 18:9 K:BB and one save from a three-inning appearance versus the Marlins on June 8. The reliever has maintained a 2.23 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 34:12 K:BB over 32.1 innings with the Guardians after he was traded from the Padres in April.

Canterino has been shut down from throwing due to shoulder pain and is set for an MRI next week, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Canterino missed all of 2023 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He returned for spring training but suffered a rotator cuff strain in mid-March. He had recently started throwing and working his way back, but this latest development could represent a significant setback.

Topa (left patellar tear) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session next week, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The right-hander was diagnosed with a small tear in the patellar tendon of his left knee in mid-May. It's his first sign of progress since the injury and he likely has several more weeks of throwing before he can begin a rehab assignment. He could return in late July if all goes well.