MLB Player News

The Tigers called up Cruz from Triple-A Toledo, and he is starting in right field and batting ninth Friday against the White Sox, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

It will be the MLB debut for the 27-year-old Cruz, who is replacing Wenceel Perez (face) on the active roster. Cruz has a .228/.326/.333 slash line with two homers in 33 games at Toledo this year and is likely to operate primarily as a reserve outfielder while up in the majors.

Fedde is slated to serve as the bulk reliever in Friday's game versus the Tigers, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Lefty Brandon Eisert will open for the White Sox before handing things off to the right-handed Fedde. It will be the seventh bulk relief assignment this season for Fedde, who holds a 4.73 ERA and 19:12 K:BB over 26.2 frames in his first seven outings in such situations.

Chisholm (groin) is starting at second base and batting fifth Friday against the Reds.

Chisholm exited Thursday's contest versus the White Sox after a fouling a pitch off himself but is back in action for Friday's series opener versus Cincinnati. The 28-year-old is batting just .178 (8-for-45) through 14 games in June, though he also has a triple, four homers, six steals, 10 RBI and 12 runs scored.

The Tigers placed Perez on the 10-day injured list Friday due to a left orbital fracture, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The outfielder was injured in the weight room earlier this week when a plyometric band struck him in the face, causing the fracture. It's unclear how long Perez is expected to be sidelined. Trei Cruz was called up in a corresponding move Friday.

Flaherty (ankle) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

It appears to be the first time the right-hander has thrown off the mound since he landed on the injured list last week with a left peroneal strain. Flaherty is first eligible to return June 28, and he has a chance to make it back by then or shortly thereafter.

Torres (oblique) received a cortisone injection Friday and is expected to start up his rehab program in the next day or two, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The veteran second baseman was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to an oblique strain, and he won't waste much time before getting treatment. Torres was sidelined more than a month with the same injury earlier this season, though it's unclear how long he's expected to be out this time around.

Montero will start Sunday's game against the White Sox in Detroit, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Justin Verlander (hip/hamstring) had been slated to return from the 60-day injured list to start Sunday's game, but he encountered a setback. Montero made a relief appearance Tuesday versus the Astros, but his other 13 outings this season have been starts. He's collected a 3.67 ERA and 50:17 K:BB over 73.2 frames this season. Verlander is expected to miss multiple weeks, so Montero is likely to get multiple turns in the Detroit rotation.

Verlander (hip) has been scratched from a scheduled start Sunday versus the White Sox due to a left hamstring injury, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Verlander had been slated to return from a nearly three-month absence with left hip inflammation, but he encountered a setback with his hamstring during a bullpen session Wednesday. The Tigers expect the 43-year-old's recovery to last "a matter of weeks." Keider Montero will start for the Tigers on Sunday and is likely to make additional starts while Verlander recovers.

The Royals optioned Black to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

The right-hander was called up by the Royals in late May and will return to Omaha after giving up seven runs with a 10:9 K:BB over 13 innings during this stint in the majors. Black's demotion clears roster space for Seth Lugo (concussion), who is starting Friday's game against the Cardinals.

Montgomery is absent from the lineup for Friday's game in Detroit.

After starting eight straight games after his promotion, Montgomery is seeing his first day off. He went 4-for-9 with a home run and two doubles in his first two games, but Montgomery is just 2-for-22 with a 1:8 BB:K across his past six contests. He'll get a breather as the Tigers send ace Tarik Skubal to the mound. Junior Perez will play right field in Montgomery's stead.