MLB Player News

The Royals placed Junis (back) on the 10-day injured list Sunday.

Junis hasn't progressed as well as the Royals had hoped after he experienced back spasms Saturday, resulting in a scratch ahead of his scheduled turn as a primary pitcher against the Twins in the first game of a doubleheader. Kansas City opted for a bullpen game instead, making it unclear whom might replace Junis in the rotation when a new fifth starter is next required Wednesday against the Reds.

The Rangers placed Martin on the 10-day injured list Sunday with left rotator-cuff inflammation, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Martin has been a key piece in the Rangers' bridge to the ninth inning, giving up one run over five appearances while notching two holds. Assuming that Martin moves past his battle with shoulder inflammation quickly and is able to resume a throwing program within the next few days, he could be ready to return from the IL when first eligible Aug. 23.

Adams (knee) is throwing regularly at the Mariners' spring training facility in Peoria, Arizona, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The right-handed reliever is working out in Peoria instead of the team's alternate training site in Tacoma so as not to count against the 60-man player pool. Adams' recovery from October knee surgery could be nearing its end, considering it's been reported he's been close to activation in recent weeks. However, he'll likely need to transition to Tacoma and face live hitters before he's deemed ready to jump into game action.

Graveman (neck) has decided to pursue rehabilitative options instead of surgery for the time being, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander has been on the injured list since Aug. 4, two days after his second start of the season. Graveman has a previous history with neck issues and remains sidelined with his current problem for the foreseeable future, but he's still holding out hope of returning at some point during the current campaign.

Hernandez allowed one run on two hits over 1.2 innings to pick up a hold in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Rockies.

Hernandez entered with two on and one out in the seventh and induced a double-play grounder to sidestep danger. He relaxed in the eighth after the Rangers plated three insurance runs. The right-handed setup man has been a nice find for the Rangers, who have worked around injuries to important bullpen pieces. Hernandez has a 2.13 ERA (1.94 FIP) while striking out 15 over 12.2 innings.

Foster struck out two over two perfect innings as the opener for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals.

This was Foster's second time out as an opener, and both outings have been scoreless. As a matter of fact, whether he's been an opener or a traditional reliever, Foster has not allowed a run. The 25-year-old right-hander has allowed two hits and two walks while striking out 15 of the 32 batters faced over 9.2 innings (six appearances).

Pressly picked up the save against Seattle on Saturday, pitching a perfect ninth inning and striking out two.

Pressly rebounded from a blown save in his last appearance with a clean and easy outing against the Mariners. The right-hander needed only eight pitches -- all of which were strikes -- to retire the side in order and secure his second save of the campaign. Pressly appears locked into the closer role for the time being, though Roberto Osuna (elbow) is hoping to return to action later this season.

Hendriks picked up the save against the Giants on Saturday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning and walking one.

Hendriks threw eight of his 12 pitches for strikes, though all four of his balls went to one batter -- Alex Dickerson -- for the closer's third walk of the campaign. The right-hander is tied for the MLB lead with seven saves on the campaign and has posted a stellar 1.59 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 17:3 K:BB through 11 appearances this season. Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle also reports the right-hander encouragingly reached 98 mph with his fastball during the appearance after typically topping out in the mid-90s in his earlier outings this season.

Manaea hurled five innings against San Francisco on Saturday, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and a walk while striking out five. He did not factor in the decision.

Manaea tossed the most innings (five) and allowed the fewest earned runs (two) in any of his five starts this season, but he was unable to emerge with his first win. The southpaw yielded all three runs in the fourth inning, when he gave up a walk and a pair of hits to the frame's first three batters. Manaea has stumbled with a 7.65 ERA and 1.60 WHIP through his first five starts. He'll look to make his way into the win column when he faces Arizona on Thursday in his next scheduled start.

Montero allowed an unearned run on a hit and struck out two in one inning to earn the save Saturday versus the Rockies.

Raimel Tapia reached on catcher's interference to lead off the ninth inning, and Ryan McMahon scored him on a double, but Montero retired the next three batters in order. The unearned run won't harm Montero's 0.00 ERA, and the hit was also the first he's allowed in five innings this year. The 29-year-old has a firm grasp on the closer role in Texas.