MLB Player News

Julks is batting seventh and starting in left field against the Angels on Saturday.

Julks wasn't originally slated to start, but he was added to the starting nine just before the beginning of the game while Miguel Vargas was scratched. Saturday will mark Julks' MLB season debut after he had his contract selected from Triple-A Charlotte on Friday.

Vargas is no longer in the starting lineup against the Angels on Saturday.

Vargas was originally slated to start at first base and bat cleanup, but he was removed from the lineup just before the start of the contest. It's not immediately clear what prompted his removal. Corey Julks is entering the starting nine in Vargas' place and is playing left field, while Lenyn Sosa is shifting from the keystone to first base, among other defensive changes.

Castillo did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-4 extra-innings loss to the Rangers, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk with four strikeouts over 4.1 innings.

Castillo allowed both of his runs in the third inning and failed to complete five frames for just the second time in 23 starts, throwing only 51 of 87 pitches for strikes. Still, the veteran has now surrendered three earned runs or fewer in seven straight outings, a stretch that includes four wins and four quality starts. He'll take a 3.22 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 115:37 K:BB across 131.1 innings into a home matchup with the Rays next weekend.

Speier threw a clean eighth inning with no strikeouts in Saturday's 6-4 extra-innings loss to Texas.

Speier ran his streak of scoreless outings up to eight, and he's yielded just one earned run overall in his last 15 appearances. The 30-year-old left-hander remains a crucial part of Seattle's high-leverage picture, working to a pristine 0.69 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB over his last 13 innings.

Kelly did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-4 extra-innings win over the Mariners, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks with six strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

Kelly cruised through five scoreless frames but faltered in the sixth, allowing two runs and departing an out shy of a quality start at just 69 pitches. The 36-year-old threw 48 strikes with an impressive 15 whiffs, and he's now yielded three earned runs or fewer in eight straight outings. He'll carry a 3.22 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 127:38 K:BB across 134.1 innings into a home matchup with the Phillies next weekend.

Keith went 3-for-5 with a solo home run in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Phillies.

Keith was perfect at the plate against Zack Wheeler, collecting three hits and putting the Tigers on the board with a solo homer in the third inning. The 23-year-old had gone just 3-for-31 in his first 12 games after the All-Star break but has bounced back with a 6-for-9 stretch over his past three contests, adding two RBI and three runs scored. On the season, he's slashing .258/.339/.416 with nine homers, 33 RBI and 46 runs scored across 339 plate appearances.

Baez went 2-for-4 with a home run, a triple and four RBI in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Phillies.

Baez did major damage late, launching a two-run homer off Zack Wheeler in the seventh inning before tacking on a two-run triple in the eighth. It was a much-needed spark from the 32-year-old, who had gone just 6-for-34 with one extra-base hit over his first 11 games out of the All-Star break. For the season, he's slashing .267/.298/.433 with 11 home runs, 45 RBI, 45 runs scored and four steals across 322 plate appearances.

Finnegan earned a perfect four-out save in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Phillies. He recorded one strikeout.

Primary closer Will Vest was brought in to face the top of the Philly order in the eighth inning but surrendered two runs and got the hook with a runner on and two outs. Finnegan shut the door from there, finishing the eighth and retiring the side in the ninth to notch his first save with the Tigers. The 32-year-old is now 21-for-27 in save chances this season while sporting a 4.24 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB across 40.1 innings. He clearly remains in the mix for saves in Detroit, especially if Vest continues to be deployed in earlier high-leverage spots.

Skubal (11-3) earned the win against the Phillies on Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and no walks with 10 strikeouts over seven innings.

Skubal outdueled fellow ace Zack Wheeler, spinning six scoreless frames before allowing three runs in the seventh. He generated 20 whiffs on 98 pitches and has now notched double-digit strikeouts eight times this season. The southpaw leads all qualified starters with a 0.83 WHIP and paces the American League with a 2.18 ERA and 181 strikeouts over 140.2 innings. He lines up to face the Angels at home next weekend.

Lugo was placed on the 7-day injured list at High-A Cedar Rapids on Friday with a thumb injury, Seth Stohs of TwinsDaily.com reports.

Lugo had been playing well since coming over in a trade for Jorge Alcala in June. He's hitting .297 with three home runs and a .855 OPS in 29 games for Cedar Rapids after hitting four home runs with a .757 OPS at High-A in the Red Sox organization.