MLB Player News

Maurer got a one-out save against the Twins on Friday, working around a hit and a walk to close out Kansas City's 6-5 victory.

It was the first save of the season for the right-hander, who retired Max Kepler to end the contest after allowing two runners to reach base. He's given up 16 earned runs in his 12 innings of work and blown three saves this season, so Maurer isn't a factor for fantasy purposes until he logs more innings and improves on those numbers.

Fulmer will likely be on the shelf for longer than the minimum 10 days after suffering a left oblique strain Friday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports. "[The injury] is going to put him out for a while," Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Fulmer injured his oblique during a light bullpen session Friday ahead of his scheduled start Sunday. It's expected that long reliever Blaine Hardy will move into the rotation to take Fulmer's spot, likely for multiple turns. More updates on Fulmer's status should surface as he resumes playing catch, but the injury would at least seem to take any possibility of a trade to a contending club at the deadline off the table.

Fulmer was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a left oblique strain Friday.

According to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News, Fulmer suffered the injury during his standard mid-week bullpen session. Because of this issue, Fulmer will be required to miss at least one turn through the rotation, though in all likelihood he will be sidelined for the rest of July. Expect more details to come to light over the next couple hours regarding his condition and a timetable for his return. In a corresponding move, the Tigers recalled Victor Alcantara from the minors.

Pomeranz (biceps) will start against the Orioles on Tuesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Pomeranz hasn't started a big-league game since May 31 in Houston as he's spent the majority of the past two months recovering from left biceps tendinitis. He was able to partake in a sixth minor-league contest in recent days, tossing a tidy six innings for Triple-A Pawtucket. He will take the spot of Eduardo Rodriguez (ankle) in the rotation.

Montgomery signed a minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Friday, Emily Waldon of The Athletic reports.

Montgomery previously spent the first half of the 2018 campaign with Detroit's Triple-A club before being released earlier this month. Across 12 appearances with Toledo, he logged a 1.98 ERA and 1.89 WHIP with 17 strikeouts in 13.2 innings of relief. He will provide additional minor-league depth for Boston, as the 27-year-old has yet to pitch in the majors over the course of his career.

Chavez was traded to the Cubs in exchange for Low-A lefty Tyler Thomas on Thursday.

The 34-year-old had been having a bounceback season in Texas, tossing 56.1 innings in relief with a 3.51 ERA. He'll likely serve a long-relief role in Chicago, though he's made 70 starts in his career and could be an option for the occasional spot start as well.

Junis (back) will be activated from the 10-day disabled list ahead of his scheduled start Saturday against the Twins, Max Gelman of MLB.com reports.

Royals manager Ned Yost suggested prior to the All-Star break that Junis would be ready to go for the second half, so it's not surprising that the right-hander will be ready to take the hill over the weekend. After emerging as the Royals' top starter early in the season with a 3.62 ERA over his first 12 starts, Junis imploded in his final five outings prior to hitting the shelf with back inflammation. Junis has surrendered 28 earned runs -- including 12 home runs -- over his last 27 innings.

The Rays outrighted Weber to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.

Weber went unclaimed off waivers after being designated for assignment over the weekend, so he'll stick with the organization as relief depth in the high minors. The 27-year-old was roughed up in his first two appearances with the big club this season, giving up three earned runs on five hits and two walks over 5.1 innings.

Cimber and Brad Hand were shipped to Cleveland in exchange for Francisco Mejia on Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Though Hand is the headliner for the Indians in this deal, Cimber will be a fine addition to a bullpen that required improvement. Look for Cimber to be deployed in high-leverage spots as someone who can provide a different look, though the presence of Hand, Andrew Miller (knee) and Cody Allen will guarantee that he doesn't receive any opportunities as the team's closer. Over 42 appearances for San Diego, Cimber posted a 3.17 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with a 51:10 K:BB across 48.1 innings.

Hand was traded to Cleveland along with Adam Cimber in exchange for Francisco Mejia on Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Hand immediately bolsters a major area of need for the Indians, as the bullpen has clearly been the club's Achilles' heel this year. Through 41 appearances with the Padres, Hand sported a 3.05 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 24 saves in 29 opportunities. In addition, he's logged 65 strikeouts in 44.1 innings. It remains to be seen whether Hand will displace Cody Allen as Cleveland's ninth-inning man, though it's more likely that he's used as a high-leverage reliever in a similar capacity to Andrew Miller (knee). Hand will be under team control through the 2020 season, with a club option for the 2021 campaign.