MLB Player News

Green was optioned to Triple-A on Thursday following his start Wednesday.

Green struggled during his start against the Mets on Wednesday, giving up three runs on eight hits and four walks over the course of 3.2 innings. Without three double plays, Green could've easily been pegged for a much larger number, but was replaced by Luis Severino in the fourth. Severino pitched far better, going 4.1 innings only allowing one unearned run while picking up his first victory of the year, and could take Green's spot in the rotation next Tuesday. Adam Warren is also a candidate to make an appearance in the starting rotation, while Green goes back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for the time being.

Duffey gave up five runs over six innings but got the win to improve to 6-8 in Wednesday's win over Cleveland.

Duffey got 13 runs of support in a 13-5 win. There were some positive signs as he had six strikeouts and no walks, but he gave up two home runs. Duffey has been terrible the past eight starts with a 7.15 ERA and 10 home runs allowed in 39 innings. He was briefly moved out of the rotation, but moved back in after the trade of Ricky Nolasco. He may stay in the rotation despite his recent struggles as the Twins may hope he can find a way to improve for 2017.

Garton's nine earned runs given up this season have come over just three outings and he was highly effective again Wednesday, putting together his 13th scoreless effort in 17 appearances with two innings of perfect ball against the Royals.

The 26-year-old has proven to be largely dependable save for the aforementioned trio of appearances where he's run into trouble. Garton has tended to falter in rather significant fashion on those occasions, but conversely, has been highly effective in his other trips to the mound. The right-hander has given up only nine hits over 14.1 innings in those 13 scoreless appearances, while also recording 16 whiffs.

The Tigers remain hopeful that Fulmer will not need to be shut down at any point this season, Matthew Mowery of the Oakland Press reports. "We'll probably push him back when there's off days, stuff like that," manager Brad Ausmus said. "I'm not looking at some date on the calendar and saying, 'There's no way he gets past that day.'"

Perhaps the frontrunner for AL Rookie of the Year, Fulmer has thrown 119.1 innings between the majors and Triple-A this year after logging 124.2 innings last season. If he stays on schedule, Fulmer will make about 10 more starts this year, but it seems safe to assume the Tigers will find a way to take advantage of an off day or two to limit him to eight or nine starts over the rest of the season. Either way, he has been so excellent that owners will undoubtedly hold onto him until it is clear that he has made his final start of 2016, which shouldn't come until late September.

Armstrong was sent to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.

Armstrong was recalled by the Indians on Wednesday, and made a single, effective appearance, striking out two over two scoreless frames. He'll now head back to Columbus, where the right-hander has posted a 2.18 ERA and .179 opponent batting average through 40 appearances.

Merritt was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.

Merritt will be called upon to provide bullpen depth for the early contest Thursday, effectively taking the place of Shawn Armstrong, who was demoted in a corresponding move. The left-handed Merritt owns a 4.06 ERA and 66:17 K:BB ratio in the minors this season.

McHugh (7-8) struck out 10 over six innings Wednesday against the Jays, but took the loss after allowing three runs on six hits.

All three runs scored on solo homers, continuing McHugh's spike in long balls this year. An inflated BABIP has hurt him, but a sizable increase in homers has really put the icing on McHugh's worst full MLB campaign. On the bright side, he's improved on last season's disappointing strikeout rate, but the 29-year-old righty needs to do a better job keeping men off the bases and the ball in the park before he can be considered a reliable fantasy asset.

Graveman (7-7) lasted just four innings, allowing six runs, nine hits and one walk while striking out three in Wednesday's no-decision versus the Angels.

Wednesday marked the first start since June 12 in which Graveman didn't complete five innings, and just the third time this season that he allowed six-plus runs in a game. Over his previous nine starts, the 29-year-old hadn't allowed more than four runs in any outing, earning an ERA of 2.87 during that span. He'll look to chalk this one up as a bad night and move forward quickly. Graveman's next start will come Monday at home against the Orioles.

Fulmer (9-2) pitched 6.2 quality innings, allowing just one run on five hits and one walk while striking out four in Wednesday's no-decision against the White Sox.

Fulmer recorded his fourth consecutive no-decision with Wednesday's letdown. He was locked in a duel with White Sox ace Chris Sale, leaving Fulmer without that elusive double-digit win total. He's been a bit unlucky during this unusual stretch considering three of the four performances logged as quality starts. The strikeouts are down from early in the season, but Fulmer has notched five straight games in which he's induced double-digit ground outs, so the righty is doing a good job of staying down in the zone to preserve his good-looking 2.42 ERA and 1.08 WHIP through 17 starts.

Green pitched just 3.2 innings in Wednesday's win over the Mets, surrendering eight hits and four walks, but just three runs.

The Mets have been the league's worst team at hitting with men in scoring position this year, and Green was fortunate that they continued that trend. He certainly helped by getting the ground balls for a trio of double plays, but it also took him 86 pitches to fail at finishing four innings. Green's had some nice moments this year, bu he can't be relied upon in fantasy even if he retains his rotation spot.