MLB Player News

Moore utilized the extra time afforded him between starts to adjust a slight hitch in his mechanics, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays' southpaw used an additional bullpen session during the week to smooth out what was termed "a slight hitch" in his mechanics, namely, a brief stall in his hands when they were overhead during the wind-up process. Moore is looking forward to getting back into action Monday night against the Marlins, after an extra two days off. "It's going to be nice to get back out there," he said. "It does feel like it's been a while." Manager Kevin Cash felt the extra time between starts might benefit the 26-year-old, who is 0-3 with a 6.51 ERA over his past five starts after generating a 2.95 ERA in his first three trips to the mound this season.

Boxberger needed just nine pitches to complete his one inning on the mound Sunday for High-A Charlotte, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

What made the outing particularly noteworthy was that it was Boxberger's first attempt during the rehab process of pitching in back-to-back nights. He needed only nine pitches to get through the frame, and struck out two batters in the process. It was also a nice rebound effort for the Rays closer, who'd surrendered two hits and a pair of earned runs in a Saturday night appearance against the same Rochester Red Wings squad he mowed down Sunday.

Ortiz will make his debut at Double-A Frisco on Monday.

Ortiz made six starts in the challenging High-A California League, striking out 26 batters against just six walks in 27.2 innings. He'll be one of the younger players in the Texas League as he won't turn 21 until late September.

Jimenez will likely be promoted to Double-A soon given his strong performance for High-A Lakeland. He still hasn't allowed a run in 15 games and 15.1 innings.

The 21-year-old is one of the Tigers' best prospects, and it shows. Jimenez's line so far is flat-out dominant (15.1 innings, five hits, four walks and 23 strikeouts).

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus remains high on VerHagen and thinks "he can eventually be a back end of the bullpen type of reliever," reports MLive.com.

VerHagen has been hampered by his inability to fire strikes, but has trouble commanding all of his pitches, including the curve. He needs to bear down, be more aggressive and attack batters from the first pitch, rather than try to be too fine. In 19 games with the Tigers, VerHagen has a 1-0 record, 7.11 ERA and 10 strikeouts while walking seven in 19 innings.

Betances struck out two in a scoreless inning in Sunday's win over the A's.

It's the fifth straight appearance in which Betances struck out at least two batters, and only once during that stint did he pitch more than one inning. Overall, the 28-year-old has 42 strikeouts in 21.1 innings and picked up his 11th hold Sunday, but the return of Aroldis Chapman earlier in the month has largely relegated Betances to seventh-inning duty.

Chapman struck out one during a perfect ninth inning to earn his sixth save of the season Sunday versus the Athletics.

The flame-throwing lefty was scored on in his first appearance of the season, but he has thrown six subsequent scoreless innings and now owns a 1.29 ERA and 0.57 WHIP. He appears to be in top form after missing the first month of the season and should continue on as an elite fantasy reliever.

Robertson pitched a perfect ninth inning while striking out one to earn his 11th save of the season Sunday against the Royals.

Robertson was only provided a one-run lead, but he quickly dispatched the Royals on eight pitches to close out the victory. On the season, he's only allowed a run to score twice over 16 outings and boasts a 1.02 ERA to go along with the 0.79 WHIP.

Kimbrel earned his 12th save of the season with a perfect ninth inning while striking out two Sunday against the Indians.

Kimbrel was protecting a three-run lead, and he needed only nine pitches to close out the victory. He's now held opponents scoreless over his last 10 outings and boasts a 2.37 ERA to go along with a 0.74 WHIP.

Farmer was recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Sunday.

Farmer was sent to Toledo at the beginning of the month but will now return to Detroit to replace Drew VerHagen. In five games with Toledo, Farmer posted a 3.71 ERA with 13 strikeouts.