MLB Player News

Hendriks allowed two unearned runs on two hits over an inning in Thursday's 7-2 loss to the Orioles. He also recorded a strikeout.

Hendriks allowed a two-run double to Adam Jones, making it his fourth consecutive outing in which he's surrendered at least one run. The 28-year-old reliever has struggled with consistency throughout the season, as evidenced by his 5.55 ERA and 1.51 WHIP. While he offers plenty of strikeout upside (59:21 K:BB in 47 innings), it's often offset by his struggles in other categories.

Norris (groin) threw two innings of a simulated game Friday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Norris threw 35 pitches in the simulated game, a step down from the 40 he threw in his most recent bullpen session. However, he appears to be ready to go out on a rehab assignment. Owners should remain hesitant for now though. This trip will be his second comeback attempt from his groin injury after he had to abandon the first one back in mid-July after aggravating the strain. He'll have to make at least three rehab starts before returning to Detroit, putting into question whether or not he will be able to return before September.

Fulmer (elbow) is expected to return Monday and start the series opener against the Rangers, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

While manager Brad Ausmus has yet to confirm Fulmer's return to the rotation, Fulmer's optimism and lack of setbacks after his latest bullpen session is a good sign that he will avoid a rehab assignment and return quickly from the elbow issues that have kept him out since early August. The 24-year-old has a 3.59 ERA this season with a clean 100 strikeouts but showed control issues in his most recent start, walking three and hitting one batter over six innings against the Yankees.

Fulmer (elbow) was able to throw a rain-shortened bullpen session prior to Friday's game against the Twins, MLB.com's Jason Beck reports.

Depending on the results of Friday's bullpen, Fulmer could be in line to return to the rotation for next week's series against the Rangers. The right-hander landed on the DL with right elbow neuritis just over a week ago after getting rocked by the Yankees during the last couple innings of his latest start. Manager Brad Ausmus will likely address Fulmer's status within the next couple of days.

Lopez was called up by the White Sox prior to his start against the Royals on Friday.

Lopez will make his first start as a member of the White Sox after coming to the club in the Adam Eaton trade this past offseason. He has accumulated a 3.79 ERA with Triple-A Charlotte this season, to go along with a 1.24 WHIP and 131:49 K:BB over the course of 121 innings. The 23-year-old is one of the top 10 prospects in Chicago's system, and was able to make six starts for the Nationals last year, posting a 4.91 ERA in 44 innings. Moving forward, it's expected that Lopez will be a mainstay in the rotation as the White Sox look to provide opportunities to their prospects during the rest of the 2017 campaign.

Rowley will start Saturday's game against the Pirates for his major-league debut, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Rowley will take the mound just two days shy of his 27th birthday, as he is set to make his big-league debut after spending time in Double-A and Triple-A this season. Throughout the 2017 campaign with both New Hampshire and Buffalo, the right-hander has impressed the Toronto brass, posting a combined 2.29 ERA in 106.1 innings this season. Over his last five starts with Buffalo, Rowley has given up eight earned runs in over 31 innings while accumulating 20 strikeouts. The undrafted West Point Military Academy graduate didn't pitch at all in 2014 or 2015 after signing a minor-league deal with the club in June of 2013, but came back to baseball last season and pitched well with High-A Dunedin. It remains to be seen whether Rowley will get another opportunity with the Blue Jays following this weekend's start, but there doesn't seem to be much left for him to accomplish at the Triple-A level.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Jimenez will be used in low-leverage situations until his performance warrants late-game work, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Jimenez hasn't pitched since Aug. 6, when he allowed four earned runs and retired just two batters. Ausmus said he hasn't given up on the young flamethrower, but he'll also pick his spots when using him. "We'll probably pitch Joe in softer situations," Ausmus said. "And if he gets rolling, he'll graduate to tighter situations." Jimenez could be the Tigers' closer of the future, but his fantasy value this year looks pretty low.

Giles suffered his third blown save Thursday against the White Sox, surrendering one run on one hit with two walks and three strikeouts in one inning of work.

Giles entered with a 2-1 lead, but surrendered a one-out solo homer to light-hitting second baseman Yoan Moncada. Clearly shaken by the game-tying long ball, Giles proceeded to walk two of the next three batters, equaling the total number of free passes he had allowed in his previous 12 appearances combined. The hard-throwing righty's still 22-for-25 in save opportunities, so he's in no danger of losing the closer job.

Colome pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn his 34th save of the season during Thursday's win over Cleveland.

Colome is now tied for the league lead in saves, and while his 3.31 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 7.3 K/9 are hardly standout marks, he's got a firm grasp on the Tampa Bay closer job. After all, he's now converted 14 of his past 15 save opportunities and hasn't blown consecutive chances all year.

VerHagen (0-2) took the loss to the Pirates on Thursday. He gave up six runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out one batter over 3.2 innings.

After taking a step forward in his last start, VerHagen took two steps back in this one -- he gave up runs in four straight innings to begin the game before being pulled. Five of the nine hits against him went for extra bases, and VerHagen also uncorked a wild pitch. The Tigers have not announced any rotation changes, but it would make sense if they turned elsewhere in the near future, if not for the next turn.