MLB Player News

Fulmer (3-5) earned the win in seven innings Thursday against the Twins, allowing one run on five hits and a walk while striking out four.

The right-hander again fell short in the punchout column but worked efficiently, logging 62 strikes in 92 pitches. He's now allowed just one walk in his past two starts -- a noteworthy improvement, considering he gave out at least three free passes in five of his previous six. Fulmer will not have to deal with a designated hitter in his next scheduled assignment Wednesday at the Reds.

Whalen was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma prior to Thursday's game against Boston.

Whalen will provide a little extra depth for the Mariners' pitching staff as he has the ability to make a spot start in addition to serving out of a long-relief role, which he will likely settle into moving forward. Over 13 starts with Triple-A Tacoma this season, the right-hander logged a 4.50 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with a 62:25 K:BB across 72 innings.

Rumbelow was called up from Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.

Rumbelow will join the Mariners' bullpen after tossing three scoreless one-inning outings for Tacoma over the past week. These appearances were the first of the season for Rumbelow, who had been sidelined with neck and shoulder injuries dating back to early March. Expect to see him utilized in a low-leverage role for the time being.

Pomeranz (biceps) has been unable to progress to mound work after he recently began experiencing pain in his neck, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

On a positive note, Pomeranz said Wednesday that the pain in his left biceps has mostly dissipated, but the neck issue has continued to delay the 29-year-old's return from the 10-day disabled list. Until Pomeranz is able to throw bullpen sessions and face hitters again, the Red Sox are unlikely to have a clear target date for his return. Steven Wright has filled in admirably in the first two starts Pomeranz has missed while on the DL, tossing a combined 13.2 shutout innings.

Merritt (shoulder) joined Triple-A Columbus on Thursday to begin a minor-league rehab assignment.

Merritt has been out since the end of spring training with an arm injury, which evolved into left shoulder inflammation in mid-May, causing the left-hander to put his initial rehab assignment on pause. The Indians have yet to comment on a timetable for Merritt, but it's expected that he will require a lengthy minor-league stay in order to build up his arm strength.

Coulombe was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday.

The Athletics need some fresh bullpen arms after Wednesday's starter, Paul Blackburn, recorded just four outs, so Coulombe will swap places with right-hander Carlos Ramirez, who was recalled from Nashville in a corresponding roster move. Coulombe owns a 4.70 ERA and 25:11 K:BB across 23 innings this season. He should be back up when a fresh reliever is needed next.

Ramirez was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Thursday.

Ramirez will rejoin the Athletics' bullpen after spending the past two weeks at the minor-league level. During his lone appearance with Oakland this season, he tossed two scoreless innings against the Rays on May 20, which came just a week after he was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays. Look for him to serve out of low-leverage situations while he's with the club.

Lakins has transitioned to a relief role with Double-A Portland. He has not allowed a run while striking out seven through four innings since moving to the bullpen.

He had a 4.76 ERA in six starts, but has already lowered his season ERA to 3.86 with four one-inning appearances out of the bullpen. Lakins was never much of a dynasty-league asset, and he now has the potential to move quickly through the upper levels of the minors as a reliever.

Martin injured his hamstring during Wednesday's loss to the Dodgers, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Martin suffered the injury while running in from the bullpen to join a benches-clearing fracas in the third inning and was retired for the night. "We don't know what his status is at this point," manager Jeff Banister said. The injury left the Rangers down a man in the 'pen for a game that eventually went 11 innings. It's likely Martin would have been on the mound in extra innings instead of Matt Bush, who allowed an inherited runner to score the go-ahead run on his own throwing error.

Andriese allowed just two hits and one walk across 3.2 innings Wednesday against the Blue Jays. He struck out two.

Andriese came on to relieve Wilmer Font for the second straight outing, though he fared much better Wednesday. It was a nice bounce-back appearance for the right-hander, who has allowed eight runs (five earned) in his previous five appearances (11 innings) entering Wednesday. Andriese now owns a solid 3.27 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 40:8 K:BB across 41.1 innings this season.