MLB Player News

Fulmer will start Sunday against the Giants, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Fulmer, the eighth overall pick in 2015, has worked primarily out of the bullpen in the majors, but he will get a chance to start Sunday opposite Madison Bumgarner. The White Sox say they still think Fulmer can make it as a starting pitcher in the big leagues despite his limited success in that role at the upper levels of the minors. Walks have really held him back -- he issued 65 free passes in 126 innings with Triple-A Charlotte this season.

Jimenez, who allowed five earned runs in a third of an inning Wednesday, said his decreased velocity is not responsible for his struggles, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

As has been the case in recent weeks, Jimenez was touching 93 and 94 mph with his fastball, not the high 90s he displayed in the minor leagues. However, the 22-year-old said location is to blame for his struggles. "(Speed) is the last thing I'm worried about right now. I'm not concerned about my velocity," he said. Jimenez is full of potential and still could be a future closer for Detroit, but until he harnesses his stuff, he won't be on the fantasy radar.

Lopez (0-3) allowed one run on six hits and two walks while striking out two over six innings in Wednesday's 5-1 loss to the Indians.

Lopez pitched well enough to win, but had to overcome an impotent offense and lackadaisical defense. The defense made several miscues behind him, putting runners on base and upping his pitch count. Each time, Lopez bore down and extricated himself from the jam before the Indians were finally able to take advantage of one too many defensive gaffes. He managed to keep the White Sox in the game, but Chicago's run-challenged order refused to bail him out. This was his third quality start in four outings, with the White Sox having scored only three runs over the 18 innings while he's been on the mound in those three starts. The one non-quality outing was when he suffered a back injury. His next start comes Monday on the road in Kansas City.

Manaea (10-9) earned the win after allowing five hits and three walks through six scoreless innings Wednesday against the Angels. He struck out six.

Manaea turned in another quality start Wednesday; his second straight and third in his past four outings. The 25-year-old owns a healthy 3.04 ERA over that span, though his 1.39 WHIP and 5.3 K/9 are a little less enticing. He looks to be back on track after allowing 18 runs (13 earned) over 6.2 innings in his first three starts of August. He'll take a 4.33 ERA into his next start, which is scheduled for Tuesday against the Red Sox.

Zych (elbow), who felt tightness after a bullpen last weekend, will resume throwing over the weekend, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Zych experienced some issues in his first bullpen session since landing on the disabled list, but he's been cleared to throw again after MRI results came back clean. He still remains without a timetable for his return, though one should start to materialize as he progresses through his pitching program. In the meantime, Nick Vincent, Emilio Pagan and James Pazos will be tasked with getting the ball to Edwin Diaz.

Betances could be out as the Yankees' closer, David Lennon of Newsday reports.

While he was set to be unavailable for Wednesday's game, which was postponed, after pitching on back-to-back days to start the week, it sounds like the Yankees are considering going with Aroldis Chapman again in that role. Betances has a 7.94 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 10 strikeouts with a save, a blown save and two losses in 5.2 innings since taking over as the closer. Meanwhile, Chapman has a 1.93 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and six strikeouts in 4.2 innings over that stretch.

Chapman could regain the closer's role this weekend, David Lennon of Newsday reports.

He was in line to be used as the closer Wednesday after Dellin Betances was used on back-to-back days, allowing three runs in 1.2 innings. However, Wednesday's game was postponed. Still, it sounds like the Yankees are close to going back to Chapman in the ninth inning. He has a 1.93 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and six strikeouts in 4.2 innings since being demoted to a setup role.

Smith threw a perfect inning, striking out one in Tuesday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Blue Jays.

Smith was Boston's 10th reliever to enter the 19-inning ordeal, making his first appearance in a major league game since May 14, 2016. The Red Sox aren't relying on him to be an important piece in the bullpen at this time, but he was acquired to be an eighth-inning setup reliever and will be given that opportunity in 2018.

Giles pitched a perfect ninth inning, striking out the side to pick up his 29th save of the season in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Mariners.

Giles protected the win for the newest member of the team, starter Justin Verlander. It was Giles' seventh consecutive successful conversion of a save opportunity. For a stretch from early July to mid-August, the Astros weren't giving Giles many save opportunities, at one point going 13 appearances with just five chances. Since Aug. 18, Giles has had six opportunities in his last eight outings.

Paredes notched his first save Tuesday in Oakland, allowing two hits with one walk and one strikeout in a scoreless 10th inning.

Paredes got the job done after being called upon to protect an 8-7 lead, but the 22-year-old right-hander didn't make things easy on himself. He took 29 pitches to get three outs, finally sealing the deal by getting Jed Lowrie to fly out with the count full and the bases loaded. Keep in mind Paredes didn't enter the game until after Cam Bedrosian worked a scoreless bottom of the ninth in a tie game, and Blake Parker was unavailable after making several appearances over the past week.