MLB Player News

Martinez is a candidate to start Tuesday's game against the A's, the Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant reports.

Texas is essentially desperate to give the ball to anyone other than Kyle Lohse, although Martinez doesn't represent much of an upgrade. He is coming off an excellent start for Triple-A Round Rock, where he struck out eight and allowed one run over eight innings, but his 6.45 ERA and 7.1-percent strikeout rate in the big leagues this year illustrates his inability to get major league hitters out. If he does start Tuesday, he'll likely be sent back to Round Rock in short order.

Kimbrel (knee) is expected to throw a bullpen session over the next two days, Evan Drellich of the Boston Herald reports.

Kimbrel's rehab from knee surgery remains right on schedule, with the expectation that he'll be ready to return to the Boston bullpen sometime in mid-August. Assuming the right-hander emerges from the bullpen session without issue, he'll progress to a rehab assignment, which would presumably include multiple appearances.

Rodriguez was transferred to the 60-day DL on Saturday.

The move opened up a spot on the 40-man roster for Bruce Maxwell, who was called up Saturday. Rodriguez was getting shelled before landing on the DL with a rotator cuff strain, allowing 12 earned runs over his last eight appearances (15.43 ERA) dating back to June 16. Although he's yet to resume baseball activities, he's still projected to return sometime in August.

Chapman struck out one and notched his 20th save in Friday's 3-2 victory over the Giants, giving up only one hit over one scoreless inning.

Amid swirling trade rumors, Chapman came through with an efficient, 17-pitch ninth inning, giving up only a leadoff single to Gregor Blanco before retiring Denard Span, Angel Pagan and Brandon Belt. The hard-throwing closer has now converted all five of his save opportunities in July.

Norris (oblique) will make another rehab start for Triple-A Toledo on Saturday.

The lefty gave up one run on five hits and a walk while striking out four over four innings in his first outing with Toledo on Monday (67 pitches). Norris may need an additional start beyond Saturday to further build up his pitch count, but it appears he'll be able to help the Tigers in the rotation over the final two months of the season.

Manaea (3-5) pitched eight scoreless innings in Friday's 13-inning affair against the Rays. He allowed five hits and struck out five.

Manaea didn't surrender a run for the third since coming off the disabled list on June 29 with a left forearm strain, bringing his ERA to 2.47 over his last five starts. His seven strikeouts were one shy of his career high, and the lefty has now made three consecutive appearances (20 innings) without a walk. Manaea mainly utilized his fastball and changeup -- something he's doing more frequently as the season progresses -- and mixed in his slider. The 24-year-old retired the first 14 batters he faced, striking out six, and saw his ERA drop from 5.13 to 4.61 by the end of the evening.

Fulmer (9-2) allowed five runs, four of which were earned, on six hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings, but received no decision Friday at the White Sox.

Fulmer had a 4-1 lead going into the fifth inning, but he allowed four runs in the frame, which put the Tigers down a run upon his exit from the contest. However, the Tigers' offense was able to come through in the latter innings to take him off the hook for a possible loss. This was the first time he's allowed more than two runs in an outing since May 15, and his ERA is now at 2.41 on the season. He'll make his next start Wednesday at the Red Sox.

Jurado was promoted to Double-A Frisco on Friday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

The right-hander will make his first start at the new level Monday, becoming one of the youngest players in the Texas League. Jurado didn't exactly end his time with High-A High Desert on a high note, giving up six runs on eight hits (including three homers) over four innings Sunday. He'd given up just one home run in his first 15 starts and posted a 71:24 K:BB over 79.1 total innings with the affiliate.

Diekman (finger) has been activated from the DL on Friday, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Diekman landed on the disabled list July 15 with a cut on his left index finger. He hasn't pitched since July 6 and was activated prior to Friday's game against the Royals. In a corresponding move, the club DFA'd Cesar Ramos.

Loup was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

Loup has been up and down a couple times already this season, recently being brought back up to the Blue Jays on July 2. During his time in the big leagues this season, he has posted a 6.00 ERA with a 0.67 WHIP during six innings of work, striking out eight batters but allowing two home runs. He has had a little better go of things in the minors, and will likely be back with the team at some point this year.