Qualls has been claimed off of revocable waivers by the Tigers, MLive's James Schmehl reports. With this development, Qualls could soon join the Tigers' bullpen. However, there is no guarantee that a deal will materialize, as the Astros do have the option of hanging on to their veteran closer. The two teams have until Wednesday to come to an agreement. Qualls has turned in a solid campaign in Houston to this point, converting 14-of-17 save chances while posting a 3.07 ERA and 38:5 K:BB ratio across 44 innings.

Qualls (back) pitched a scoreless ninth inning in a non-save situation Friday. Qualls was unavailable for the final two games of the Yankees series due to back discomfort, but he got back on the hill Friday and retired the side on 14 pitches. After struggling in July (7.71 ERA), Qualls has now given up just one earned run in seven August appearances, thus further cementing himself into the closer role for Houston.

Qualls (back) said he's "probably unavailable" Thursday against the Rays, MLB.com reports. Qualls did not pitch Wednesday due to discomfort in his back stemming from Friday's game. While it doesn't appear to be anything serious, Qualls could miss a few games in the short-term.

Qualls was not used in a save situation Wednesday due to minor back discomfort, Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reports. The sore back cost Qualls a potential save Wednesday night, but it appears to be just a short-term issue, as manager Bo Porter said Qualls would likely be available Thursday if needed. However, consider Qualls day-to-day until he is summoned from the bullpen next.

Qualls earned his 14th save of the season Tuesday night with a clean inning against the Yankees. Qualls, who has been shaky in relief for the Astros over the past month, struck out a batter during the appearance. The veteran reliever owns a 3.14 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and a 38:5 K:BB over 43 innings this season.

The Astros are telling other teams that Chad Qualls isn't available, CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports. If you're confused as to why Houston, miles outside of contention, is making a 35-year-old closer unavailable, we're with you. Qualls would have been a nice rental for a playoff hopeful. He is 1-2 with a 3.19 ERA and 11 saves in 15 chances, and is set to make a reasonable $3 million next year.

Called on to protect a three-run lead in the ninth, Chad Qualls instead gave up five runs while recording just two outs in a blown save against the A's on Tuesday. The inning started well enough, with Qualls striking out Steven Vogt for the first out. Qualls actually got a second out with the score 4-3, but a Yoenis Cespedes RBI single tied the game and ended Qualls' night. All told, Qualls allowed four hits, walked one and threw a wild pitch before exiting. He's now allowed runs in each of his last two appearances, sullying what was previously a very strong year for the 35-year-old.

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow indicated Thursday that the team is unlikely to trade Chad Qualls. Teams have expressed interest in the reliever, but Qualls will make a reasonable $6 million through the end of next season and has a $3 million option for 2016, so Luhnow doesn't feel compelled to move him. The 35-year-old boasts a terrific 1.78 ERA and 31/4 K/BB ratio over 35 1/3 innings in 2014. "I hesitate to use the word 'untouchable,' but he likes it here, he's comfortable here and he's pitching well," Luhnow said. "To have a guy who's capable of pitching late in the game, in close games, we're going to have opportunity going forward. This is a team that's improving, and as the team improves, you have more save opportunities, more opportunities to pitch at the end of close games. We need more Chad Qualls. We don't need less."

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the Tigers have inquired on Chad Qualls. The Tigers have been connected to just about every reliever on the market. Qualls has experienced a nice bounce-back season in Houston, posting a 1.78 ERA and 31/4 K/BB ratio over 35 1/3 innings. A trade would be bad for his fantasy value, as he almost surely would be used as a setup man wherever he goes.

Chad Qualls hurled a scoreless ninth inning Monday to notch his eighth save of the season in a 4-3 victory against the Diamondbacks. Qualls gave up a double to Ender Inciarte that was misplayed by Marwin Gonzalez, playing left field as a chain reaction to Bo Porter's decision to make a double switch that had reliever Tony Sipp in right field for one play in the eighth. Qualls has five saves since May 29 and he hasn't given up a run since way back on April 19. On that day, through six appearances, Qualls held a 9.00 ERA. It's down to 2.08. As a suddenly effective closer on a suddenly scorching team (Houston has won 12 of 16 games), the case could be made that Qualls is one of the more underrated fantasy assets in the game at the moment.