MLB Player News

Norris (2-2) pitched 6.1 innings, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out five Twins in Thursday's victory.

The left-handed Norris took a shutout into the sixth before surrendering a pair of RBI singles over his last two frames. Thursday's effort was his first quality start of the season, and it marked the first time this year in which Norris worked into the seventh inning. Since being recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Aug. 8, the 23-year-old owns a respectable 2.91 ERA over four starts (21.2 innings). Norris will make his next start Tuesday at home against the White Sox.

Pomeranz (10-10) tossed six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out a career-high 11 in a 2-1 loss to the Rays on Thursday.

Despite his quality effort, Pomeranz was outdueled Thursday by Jake Odorizzi and tagged with his first loss in five starts. The left-hander induced an eye-popping 23 swinging strikes while lowering his Boston ERA to 4.06, its best mark since being acquired from San Diego in mid-June. After three rough outings to begin his Red Sox career (12 runs in 14.1 innings), Pomeranz has settled in nicely. Over his last five starts, the 27-year-old owns a 2.40 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 30 innings.

Duffey was sent down to Triple-A Rochester on Thursday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Duffey was lit up his last time out, yielding six runs over three innings in a losing effort Wednesday, as he saw his ERA rise to 6.24 on the season. The 25-year-old will try to figure out what's been going wrong back in the minors, while Andrew Albers will join the major league roster in a corresponding move.

Zych was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Zych had just been activated off the disabled list Tuesday after missing over three months with a shoulder issue, but he allowed five baserunners and a run over 1.2 innings in two appearances since returning and will now head to the minors. With Kyle Seager limited by a bruised right foot, the Mariners recalled another bat in Mike Freeman in a corresponding roster move.

Santiago (thumb) is on track to rejoin the Twins' rotation Wednesday against the Indians, Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press reports.

Santiago had his last start skipped due to his thumb injury, but it appears the setback will only cost him the lone outing. Santiago will likely throw a bullpen session or two prior to his next start in order to determine if there are any lingering issues.

Graveman (10-8) allowed one run on six hits, struck out two and walked two over 6.2 innings in a victory over the Indians on Wednesday.

He pounded the strike zone, throwing 73 of his 102 pitches for strikes and inducing 20 called strikes. The only mistake he made was a solo homer in the seventh. That's the lone run he's allowed in his last 15.2 innings over his most recent two outings. Graveman will look to keep this going next Tuesday against the Astros.

Giles retired the Pirates in order Wednesday to preserve a 5-4 victory and record his fifth save of the season.

He struck out two batters and produced a lineout to short. Since he's reclaimed the closer role, Giles has allowed three runs (two earned) in six innings, but he also has nine strikeouts, four saves and no blown saves in six outings. He owns a 3.58 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 78 strikeouts in 50.1 innings.

McHugh allowed three runs on seven hits, struck out four and walked one over five innings in a victory over the Pirates on Wednesday.

The Astros spotted him an early lead, and he was able to hold onto it through five. He threw 67 of his 99 pitches for strikes and induced 10 groundouts. He is now 8-10 with a 5.01 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 141 strikeouts in 142 innings this season.

Boxberger (2-0) pitched a scoreless 11th inning in Wednesday's 4-3 victory over the Red Sox, walking one and striking out the side.

The former closer continues to thrive in his new role, although due to the extra innings Wednesday he was actually the last pitcher to take the mound for the Rays. Boxberger impressively mowed down David Ortiz, Jackie Bradley and Sandy Leon in the 11th after closer Alex Colome had pitched the previous 1.2 innings, marking Boxberger's 10th consecutive scoreless effort. He now has nine whiffs in nine August frames and has allowed just a pair of earned runs in 11 appearances in his injury-shortened 2016 campaign.

Duffey (8-10) lasted only three innings against Detroit on Wednesday, giving up six runs on seven hits and a walk in a 9-4 loss.

Over his last two outings, Duffey's been thrashed for 11 runs in just 6.2 innings, and he's given up four or more earned runs a shocking 14 times in his last 18 outings. Duffey's good at preventing walks -- he's issued either one or zero in six of his last seven starts -- but like many pitchers who are around the plate so much, he's very hittable (142 hits in 115.1 innings) and prone to the long ball (22 in 22 outings). Few starters in the majors have been less effective than Duffey, so rolling him out in fantasy is the ultimate desperation move at this point.