MLB Player News

Maurer is combating his recent struggles by making an adjustment to the positioning of his feet on the rubber, Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star reports.

Maurer came over from San Diego with a habit of toeing the rubber from the extreme first-base side. He's surrendered nine earned runs in 11.2 innings through 13 appearances with the Royals, prompting pitching coach Dave Eiland to suggest a move to the opposite side of the mound. "It's a somewhat simple adjustment," manager Ned Yost said. "But for pitchers, it's not." The Royals hope the move will create more deception in his delivery and help hide the ball from hitters. Maurer said this week that he has become comfortable with the change.

Boxberger notched his fourth hold in Thursday's 2-0 win over the Blue Jays, allowing a hit over 1.2 scoreless innings.

Boxberger bounced back from having allowed a solo home run in his most recent outing against the Mariners last Friday. That run represents the only one surrendered by Boxberger over his last eight appearances, and he now sports a 1.04 ERA and 10:1 K:BB over 8.2 innings across seven August outings.

Rodriguez struck out one in a perfect ninth inning against the Angels on Thursday en route to his first career save.

He earned his first save in his fifth career appearance, and Rodriguez made it look easy, throwing nine of his 10 pitches for strikes. The 24-year-old was just filling in for regular closer Alex Claudio, who pitched two innings Wednesday, but his usage speaks to the strong impression he's made in his first couple weeks with the big club.

Scribner (2-1) gave up three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six over five innings in a loss to the Rangers on Thursday.

He was tagged for home runs in the third and fourth innings, bringing his total to five allowed in just 18 innings with the major-league team. Scribner's numbers over a larger body of work at Triple-A this year are decent enough and the door is open for him to continue starting with JC Ramirez (forearm) on the DL, but Scribner will likely continue to have a short leash in his starts with Jesse Chavez piggybacking in relief.

Manaea, who was originally scheduled to start Wednesday against the Orioles, had his next outing pushed to Saturday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander rebounded from a difficult three-start stretch in his most recent outing, delivering a quality start against the Astros last Friday. The rescheduling wasn't particularly tied in to Manaea, although the extra rest is likely to help the diminishing velocity he's recently experienced. However, the overriding reason for the move was to accommodate Daniel Gossett, who was called up from Triple-A Nashville and took the hill Wednesday.

Martinez will return to the majors and start Friday against the Athletics, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

The Rangers are sending Tyson Ross to the bullpen, and Martinez will take his place. Martinez had a poor 5.59 ERA and 1.66 WHIP in 38.2 innings for Texas earlier this season, but he's been dominant for Triple-A Round Rock, where he has a 2.15 ERA and 0.91 WHIP over six starts. Expect an official move to be made after Thursday's game.

Farmer will be called up from Triple-A Toledo to start against the White Sox on Saturday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Farmer posted a brutal 6.62 ERA and served up five home runs over a four-start stint in the majors earlier this season. He has been consistently solid for Triple-A Toledo, though, as he owns a 3.93 ERA and 114 strikeouts over 123.2 innings. Rather than moving Drew VerHagen out of the bullpen for a spot start, Farmer will get the call. Don't expect an official move until late Friday or Saturday, though, as the Tigers will want to keep their bullpen as stacked as possible until then.

Fulmer allowed five runs -- four earned -- on five hits and three walks over six innings against the Yankees on Thursday. He struck out three and didn't factor into the decision.

Fulmer's ulnar neuritis, which forced him onto the DL earlier in the month, appeared to flare up in the fifth inning -- he was seen shaking his hand after hitting Gary Sanchez with a pitch -- but the 24-year-old was ultimately able to carry on with no issues after a visit from the trainer. He could have escaped the contest with two earned runs in six innings, but manager Brad Ausmus decided to send him out for the seventh inning after a prolonged bottom half of the sixth that included a brawl and four ejections. He ended up walking the only two batters he faced in the seventh inning before being removed, and both baserunners eventually came around to score. Fulmer now owns a 4.50 ERA and 11:8 K:BB in three starts (18 innings) since returning from the disabled list, and things won't get any easier as his next start comes Tuesday against the Rockies at Coors Field.

Junis gave up one run on seven hits and one walk while striking out seven over 5.1 innings in a no-decision against the Rockies on Thursday.

Junis' slider was working well in this one and that allowed him to maximize his 79 pitches. The 24-year-old gave up four runs in a relief appearance last week, but he's now allowed four runs total in his last three starts spanning 19.1 innings, with an impressive 16:1 K:BB over that span. He's looking like a worthwhile addition for pitching-needy teams, especially with a home matchup against the Rays lined up for next week.

Colome allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth inning against the Blue Jays on Thursday en route to his 38th save of the season. He struck out two.

He worked around a leadoff single to add to his major-league-leading saves total. While Colome only threw 16 pitches, he has now pitched four of the last five days and it's uncertain if he will be available for Friday's series opener.