MLB Player News

Staumont was promoted to Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Sunday, MLB.com's Jeffrey Flanagan reports.

Staumont struggled in a starting role this season at High-A Wilmington, producing a 5.05 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 67 walks over 73 innings. However, it looks like the Royals believe the 22-year-old has some potential as a reliever, so look for him to follow that development track as he moves on to Double-A. With a fastball that can hit 100 miles per hour, Staumont profiles as an adept strikeout artist in relief, and already excelled in that capacity at High-A, whiffing 94 batters. The ability to get by on a more limited repertoire coming out of the bullpen figures to suit Staumont well.

Moore (5-7) surrendered two earned runs on five hits and a walk over 7.1 innings in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Orioles. He also recorded a strikeout.

The 27-year-old southpaw posted his fourth consecutive quality start, turning in his longest outing of the season in the process. Moore has settled into a nice groove since late June, and demonstrated superior control while throwing only 93 pitches over his time on the mound. He could well be in a different uniform before month's end given the reported interest in him around the majors, and if so, is building considerable momentum with his recent performances. Moore's next scheduled start is Thursday versus the A's.

Rogers threw two-thirds of a scoreless inning in Saturday's win over Cleveland to extend his scoreless inning streak to 14 innings.

Rogers did allow an inherited runner to score, but otherwise has been near perfect the past few weeks. He still struggles against right-handed hitters (.902 OPS allowed before Saturday's game) which limits his upside. Still, he's carving out a steady role as a lefty specialist.

Duffey gave up four runs over 6.1 innings with two strikeouts and three walks, but got a no-decision in Saturday's win over Cleveland.

Duffey had been on a roll before the All-Star break with a 2.25 ERA and 19:4 K:BB in 20 innings over his last three starts. His second half begins with a mediocre outing, but his strong finish to the first half of the season should give him stability in the rotation for the near term.

Diekman (finger) has been able to throw from flat ground, but hasn't received clearance to throw from the mound, MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan reports.

Diekman is eligible to come off the DL on Friday, but there's been no speculation on if he'll be ready by then. A brief rehab assignment would seem to be needed, and Diekman would seem to be several days away at a minimum from beginning one at this point.

Harvey (groin) was forced to leave his start for short-season Aberdeen on Saturday with right flexor mass soreness, Roch Kubatko of MASN reports.

Harvey lasted just 23 pitches and four outs before leaving the start.

Kelly pitched two scoreless innings Friday to pick up the save for Triple-A Pawtucket. He allowed one hit and struck out three without walking a batter.

Kelly was impressive in his first appearance out of the bullpen at the Triple-A level, striking out the side in the ninth inning -- all swinging strikes. If Kelly sustains this type of success in a relief role, he could be called up to Boston to shore up a bullpen that has shown some cracks this season. Red Sox manager John Farrell told Christopher Smith of Mass Live that he wants Kelly to be a multi-inning reliever, a role in which Kelly can use all of his pitches. "I wouldn't want a pitcher to eliminate a pitch because he's in another role," Farrell said. "Now, it's going to be dependent on what attack plan for a given hitter. There may be games where his curveball may be more of a feel for him than his slider."

Leclerc was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Leclerc will head back to Triple-A ball with Yu Darvish getting activated off the 15-day DL. Leclerc struggled with command during his first stint in the majors, allowing eight walks in 5.2 innings, but he allowed only one earned run during his three appearances (1.59 ERA).

Mengden lasted just 3.1 innings in Friday's start versus Toronto, allowing six runs on six hits and three walks. He struck out two and did not factor into the decision.

The Blue Jays got to Mengden early and often, as they got to him for three runs over the second and third innings before putting five men on base and scoring four more times in the fourth to chase him from the game. Mengden has now allowed 16 earned runs in just 13.1 innings over his last three starts, raising his ERA 2.34 runs to 5.15 after a strong start to his Major League career. He will try to right the ship in his next start Wednesday versus Houston.

Santiago improved to 7-4 with Friday's win over the White Sox, striking out seven with no walks across seven scoreless innings.

Santiago took a 15-inning scoreless streak into the All-Star break, which he extended with Friday's dominant outing in which he threw 76 percent of his pitches for strikes and induced 13 swings and misses. The lefty has lowered his ERA to 4.27 during this impressive run and will look to keep it rolling Wednesday versus the struggling Rangers.