MLB Player News

Jansen (1-4) allowed four runs (three earned) on two hits and a walk across 1.1 innings of relief to take the loss in Sunday's extra-inning contest against the Astros. He struck out one.

Jansen got through the top of the ninth inning of a 3-3 game without any problems, but things came unraveled in the 10th. The veteran started the frame by allowing a walk, a single and a three-run home run. The rough outing pushed Jansen's ERA from 4.26 up to 5.31. It's been a poor campaign overall with four blown saves and now four losses as well. He's become increasingly hard to trust in fantasy leagues.

Alexander will operate as the Rangers' opening pitcher Monday in Cleveland, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Alexander is set to become the first pitcher since 1969 to record saves in back-to-back games and then start the following contest. He'll likely handle no more than an inning or two before turning the game over to the bullpen. The Rangers haven't indicated whether a pitcher will work in bulk relief behind Alexander, but Winston Santos is the freshest arm in the bullpen and had worked at least four innings in each of his last six outings at Double-A Frisco before being recalled Wednesday.

The Orioles claimed Zulueta off waivers from the Cubs on Sunday and optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

The 28-year-old righty reliever will move on to his fifth different organization since the start of 2024 despite having posted mediocre numbers at the big-league level over the past two seasons (5.32 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 25:11 K:BB in 23.2 innings) and at the Triple-A level in 2026 (7.54 ERA, 1.90 WHIP, 24:20 K:BB in 22.2 innings). Zulueta boasts a big fastball that can hit 100 mph, and the Orioles are hoping that their staff can help him harness his control at the Triple-A level and emerge as an effective reliever for the big club down the road.

Alexander earned the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jays, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Alexander has now recorded saves in back-to-back games after going nearly three months without a save opportunity. The left-hander has allowed just one run in his last nine appearances (9.1 innings) to lower his ERA to 2.62 with a 1.31 WHIP and 27:10 K:BB across 34.1 innings this season.

The Rays optioned Grove to Triple-A Durham on Sunday.

The right-hander was called up from Durham on Thursday and made his Rays debut Saturday, when he fired three scoreless frames to pick up the victory. Grove is now being sent down in favor of a fresh arm, but his strong first impression should help him to get another look in Tampa Bay later this summer.

The Rays recalled Martin from Triple-A Durham on Sunday.

The rookie right-hander will be up with the big club for the fourth time this season after giving up five earned runs with a 6:4 K:BB across 10.1 frames in his first five MLB appearances. Martin should fill a low-leverage relief role while he's with the Rays.

The Tigers optioned De Jesus to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

De Jesus hasn't given up a run in his past eight appearances (13 innings), but he'll still end up being the odd man out for a roster spot with Jack Flaherty (ankle) coming off the IL on Sunday. De Jesus should get another look in the majors before long given his recent form.

Martin (shoulder) was sent to Double-A Frisco on Sunday to begin a rehab assignment.

Martin landed on the 15-day injured list June 1 due to a right shoulder impingement. The 40-year-old right-hander may need more than one appearance in the minors to knock off his rust, but he shouldn't be in line for an extended stay on the farm before slotting back into the Texas bullpen. Martin has two wins and one hold this season in 12 appearances to go along with a 7.84 ERA, 1.94 WHIP and 7:2 K:BB over 10.1 innings.

Whitlock earned a hold Saturday, retiring all three batters faced on seven pitches (five strikes) in the eighth inning of a 4-1 win over the Yankees.

Whitlock was the bridge to Aroldis Chapman, recording his third hold in his last four appearances and 12th of the season. Since returning from the injured list June 9, Whitlock has allowed one run on six hits with zero walks while striking out five over seven innings. If the Red Sox eventually trade Chapman, which is looking increasingly likely, Whitlock could be the favorite to take over as Boston's closer.

The Astros recalled Ullola from Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The 24-year-old right-hander has yet to make his big-league debut, but he'll provide the Astros with a fresh bullpen arm ahead of Sunday's series finale in Detroit. Since signing with the Astros out of the Dominican Republic in 2021, Ullola has largely served as a starter during his time on the minors, but he was moved to the bullpen at Sugar Land in late May and has produced a 2.70 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 16:6 K:BB in 10 innings across 10 relief appearances.