MLB Player News

Pomeranz allowed five runs on three hits and two walks in one third of an inning in Wednesday's 9-8 win over the Braves.

Five of the six batters Pomeranz faced reached base safely as the Braves seemingly put the game out of reach before Boston's madcap rally in later innings pulled out the win. For Pomeranz, it was a big step back after a string of encouraging performances and likely eliminates the possibility of the left-hander returning to the starting rotation. At this point, a spot on the postseason roster may be jeopardy. He could make a spot start over the final weeks of the season to give a rotation regular a break, but the bullpen will be his main role for the rest of the season.

Diaz pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts Wednesday to earn the save against the Orioles.

Diaz set down the top of the Baltimore lineup with ease, retiring the first two via strikeout before inducing a flyout to end the game. The 24-year-old has been superb all season, and is now up to 53 saves with a 1.87 ERA and 15.6 K/9.

Barria (10-8) picked up the win in Wednesday's 9-3 victory over the Rangers, allowing two hits and three walks over five scoreless innings while striking out five.

The rookie enjoyed his trip through Texas, blanking both the Rangers and Astros for 11 innings over two road starts. Barria's now won five of his last six decisions, and he'll carry a 3.30 ERA into his next outing Monday back home in a rematch with the Rangers.

Hand struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning against the Royals on Wednesday to secure his 32nd save of the season.

It was a nice bounce-back outing from Hand after he allowed a run in a non-save situation Tuesday. The 28-year-old southpaw has now converted all eight of his save chances for the Indians, posting a shiny 1.86 ERA with 28 strikeouts across 19.1 innings with Cleveland in the process. Hand remains locked in as the top option for saves in Cleveland at the moment, with Cody Allen working the eighth inning Wednesday.

Kimbrel picked up his 38th save of the season Wednesday against the Braves, issuing one walk while striking out two across a scoreless ninth inning.

Kimbrel was called upon after the Red Sox rallied to take the lead with two runs in the top of the ninth inning, and he needed just 18 pitches (10 strikes) to close the door on the Braves. The right-hander has now converted 38 of his 43 save chances this season, posting a shiny 2.45 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 84:27 K:BB across 55 innings in the process.

Coulombe was outrighted to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Coulombe was recently cast off the 40-man roster and will head to the Triple-A level after passing through waivers unclaimed. On the year, he's logged a 4.56 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 23.2 innings with Oakland.

Whalen cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

The 24-year-old tossed four scoreless relief innings for the Mariners this year. He spent the bulk of his season with Tacoma, making 20 starts and posting a 5.16 ERA. He'll remain at that level but will be one step further from returning to the big leagues.

Kelly struck out two and walked one during an inning of relief against the Braves on Tuesday.

Outside of a solo home run in Monday's series opener in Atlanta, Kelly hasn't allowed an earned run since Aug. 15, which encompasses 10.2 innings of work. On the year, he's logged a 3.75 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with a 9.0 K/9, though his 4.2 BB/9 raises some cause for concern.

Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said that Fulmer (shin) experienced no complications Tuesday and is on track to make his next scheduled start Sunday against the Cardinals, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The Tigers have an off day Thursday and recently expanded their pitching depth with a slew of September callups, affording them plenty of coverage in the event Fulmer requires additional time off after being struck by a line drive during his start Monday against the White Sox. It appears the team won't have to adjust its rotation plans, however, as Fulmer is expected to throw his normal pre-start bullpen session Thursday or Friday before making his next turn over the weekend. Since returning from the disabled list Aug. 24 after a five-week absence due to an oblique strain, Fulmer has posted a 5.14 ERA and 1.14 WHIP across three starts.

Hector Velazquez, and not Pomeranz, will start Wednesday against the Braves, Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald reports.

Manager Alex Cora was considering giving the start to Pomeranz, but said he likes the way the left-hander is throwing out of the bullpen. Pomeranz could be used as a multi-inning reliever Wednesday depending on how long Velazquez goes.