MLB Player News

Fulmer (2-1) allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits, struck out two and waked one over six innings in a victory against the Indians on Wednesday afternoon.

This was Detroit's first victory over Cleveland in 12 tries this season. Fulmer has been a revelation for the Tigers' pitching staff. He hasn't given up more than one earned run in any of his last nine outings. Over that stretch, Fulmer has a 0.72 ERA with 51 strikeouts and 18 walks in 50.1 innings. Overall, he is 9-2 with a 2.11 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, .204 batting average against and 72 strikeouts in 76.2 innings.

Fulmer, 22, has not allowed an earned run over his last two starts, a span of 14 innings, for Double-A Birmingham.

Fulmer has had his ups and downs this season, but his ERA is now under 5.00 and he has fanned 36 batters over his last 30 innings. Of course, his control has still been suspect, as he has also walked 12 batters over that span. Nevertheless, the former first-round pick was named to the Futures Game roster and appears to be finding his groove.

Colome was chosen for the American League All-Star team Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 27-year-old reliever has been a revelation this season while last year's closer Brad Boxberger (oblique) has battled injuries. Colome has converted all 19 of his save opportunities in 2016, ranking him fifth in the AL in that category. He's generated a stellar 1.71 ERA in the process while fanning 39 over 31.2 innings. Colome made a successful return Tuesday from a DL stint due to biceps tendinitis and should continue in the closer role for the foreseeable future.

Rodriguez (shoulder) was diagnosed with a rotator cuff strain Wednesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Rodriguez was put on the 15-day DL on Monday and surgery likely won't be necessary. He will be shut down for a while and re-evaluated in the coming weeks.

Johnson (personal) pitched three innings for Boston's rookie team in Fort Myers (Fla.) on Monday, the Portland Press Herald reports.

Johnson allowed a pair of runs on four hits and a walk while striking out four. This was the left-hander's first appearance since mid-May when he was placed on the temporary inactive list to seek treatment for an anxiety issue. Johnson had been on Boston's short list of depth starters, but ran into early trouble with a toe injury in spring training, followed by unprecedented command issues. At this point, we're just hoping he can get back to Triple-A Pawtucket and pitch effectively again.

Kelly (groin) will make his first rehab appearance Wednesday for short-season Lowell, the Portland Press Herald reports.

This will be Kelly's first outing after the Red Sox announced he will be transitioning from starting to relieving. The right-hander is scheduled to pitch again Saturday at Lowell, then head to Triple-A Pawtucket next week, though it sounds as if he may not be required to pitch for the PawSox. "Whether or not the need arises before that first appearance in Pawtucket, that's all to be gauged," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. In other words, the pitching-desperate Red Sox may call him up before Kelly throws a pitch out of the PawSox's bullpen.

Kimbrel allowed four runs on three hits and a walk without recording an out in Tuesday night's 7-2 loss to Texas.

With Boston trailing by a run heading into the ninth inning and the middle of the Rangers' order due up, manager John Farrell turned to his closer in a non-save situation to keep the game close for an attempted comeback. But Kimbrel would have none of that in an outing that furthered a disturbing trend: Boston's closer has a 6.75 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 14 non-save situations, spanning 13.1 innings, according to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe. And including the last three seasons, his ERA in non-save situations has swelled to 5.13. That suggests a lack of focus. Farrell admitted he might rethink whether to use Kimbrel in these situations, but others in the bullpen were not available to pitch Tuesday and he needed Kimbrel.

Manaea (3-5) allowed six runs on seven hits and three walks with five strikeouts in Tuesday's loss to the Twins.

Manaea pounded the zone with 19 first-pitch strikes to 25 hitters and 55 strikes out of 88 pitches, but the Twins were ready for everything he threw at them. He gave up two homers and three doubles out of those seven hits. This marks the third time already this season Manaea has served up multiple home runs as the long ball continues to haunt him -- his 10 home runs allowed in 10 starts have helped to push his ERA up to 5.85.

Farmer was optioned back to Triple-A Toledo after Tuesday's game, MLB.com's Jason Beck reports.

He soaked up 2.2 innings out of the bullpen Tuesday in relief of Anibal Sanchez, who lasted just 4.1 frames. Farmer proceeded to give up three runs on four hits and three walks while needing 56 pitches to pitch less than a third of Tuesday's game. The Tigers will summon a fresh arm from Toledo on Wednesday to take Farmer's place.

Norris (oblique) has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain and he is expected to miss 10-14 days, Katie Strang of ESPN.com reports.

Although Norris landed on the disabled list Tuesday, the results of the MRI revealing just a Grade 1 strain is good news all things considered given that the All-Star break is looming. That said, the Tigers will need to make a decision on who will start in Norris' place Saturday. Strang reports that Matt Boyd is the leading candidate to come up for a spot start. Provided that Norris can stay on pace with the 10-to-14-day timeline, he should be able to rejoin the rotation shortly after the All-Star break.