MLB Player News

Saupold (groin) was placed on the 15-day DL on Wednesday, Anthony Fenech reports.

Saupold has been ineffective since joining the Tigers in mid-May, putting up a 10.80 ERA and 2.40 WHIP in five appearances out of the bullpen. Bobby Parnell will join the big league club while he recovers and could stay with the team depending on how he performs.

Santiago (3-3) pitched 6.2 innings, allowing six runs, five hits and two walks while walking two and striking out nine against the Tigers on Tuesday. He did not factor in the decision.

Santiago allowed four-plus runs for the fourth time in his last five outings, while ballooning his ERA to a season-high 4.96. He gave up three more homers, raising his total to 14 home runs allowed (second-worst in MLB). The left-hander had a 6.75 ERA in the month of May after posting a solid 3.34 ERA in the season's first month. Santiago will look to get back to his early-season success Monday against the Yankees.

Duffey gave up five runs on 10 hits with six strikeouts and one walk over 4.2 innings in Tuesday's loss at Oakland.

Duffey has given up 16 runs and 28 hits over 17.1 innings in his last three outings. He's in danger of being sent to the minors if he has another poor outing. He has a 13:4 K:BB ratio in his last three starts, but has given up too many hits.

Boxberger left Tuesday's game after apparently re-injuring his abdomen, 620 WDAE's Steve Carney reports.

He had just returned after missing over two months following core muscle repair surgery on March 17, and Carney speculated that Boxberger's season could be over. We will await word as to the severity of the injury, but this initially appears to be a pretty significant occurrence. Alex Colome, who was lights out as the closer while Boxberger was out, figures to continue to work as the ninth inning man going forward.

Neal was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday.

Having already lost his spot in the rotation, Neal's demotion down to Triple-A does not come as a major surprise. Neal was used out of the bullpen Saturday after being shelled for seven runs against the Mariners in his previous start. The A's recalled Eric Surkamp to start Tuesday against Minnesota.

Armstrong was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday, Zack Meisel of Cleveland.com reports.

Armstrong will join the Indians for the first time this season after he dealt with back issues during spring training. The right-hander, who appeared in eight games for Cleveland last season, is off to a strong start at Triple-A -- 2.50 ERA, 15 strikeouts per nine innings -- but he continues to struggle a bit with control, issuing 17 free passes in 18 total innings. Armstrong will take the spot of Ryan Merritt, who was optioned to Triple-A on Tuesday morning.

Merritt was optioned back to Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday, Zach Meisel of Cleveland.com reports.

Merritt, who was initially recalled last week, made his major league debut Monday, throwing 4.1 scoreless innings while allowing just one hit. The 24-year-old will head back to Columbus, where he holds a 2.94 ERA across 52 innings on the year, as the Indians bring up right-hander Shawn Armstrong to take his place in the bullpen.

Tolliver allowed three runs on two hits and a walk while retiring two batters against the Red Sox Monday.

This was Tolliver's third MLB appearance after being promoted from Double-A to take Brian Matusz's spot as a left-handed specialist. The Orioles have T.J. McFarland working his way back from an injury in Triple-A and Tolliver's roster spot could be in jeopardy if he has another difficult outing. That said, it is important to keep in mind that he was facing a powerful Red Sox offense Monday.

Boxberger (abdomen) will progressively be worked back into the closer role according to manager Kevin Cash, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. "I think it's fair to say we would probably work Boxy back into the closer's role than stick him right into it," Cash said.

Cash goes on to explain that in a "perfect world" the Rays would like to find a "soft landing spot" for Boxberger to get back into major league action. That opportunity almost presented itself Monday night in the eighth inning, but was short-circuited by the Rays tying the score in the top half of the frame. The 28-year-old will continue to go through pregame conditioning and maintenance work for the time being, and is open to however the team wants to deploy him as he's eased back into action. "I don't have any expectations right now," he said. "I'm just expecting myself to go out there every day and take the ball in whatever situation it is. If that's the ninth, great. And if not, we'll go from there, and just take every day as a new day and be able to help my team in any situation I can."

Andriese allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts over seven innings in a no-decision Monday against the Royals.

Andriese continues his sharp performance since his callup May 8, as he now has four quality starts in his five appearances this season. He has just 20 strikeouts in 34.1 innings, but has drawn at least eight ground balls in each of his starts. He induced 13 groundball outs Monday against the Royals and has only allowed one home run all year. If he can keep the ball down like this going forward, he'll be able to keep his solid rates (2.36 ERA, 0.932 WHIP).