MLB Player News

Alexy allowed six runs on four hits, four walks and a hit batsman while striking out three over 3.2 relief innings in Monday's 15-1 loss to the Astros.

Alexy made two encouraging starts for the Rangers, throwing 11 scoreless innings, before manager Chris Woodward opted to piggyback him for his third outing behind starter Spencer Howard. Alexy discussed the changes in preparation needed to come out of the bullpen with Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. "It's always different when you are coming out of the bullpen," the right-hander said. "Deciphering when to start getting really ready is always a little different out there." He had pitched in a similar role six times in the minors, but that was after a definite one-inning limit for the game opener. On Monday, Howard was on a 50-pitch limit, but there was no telling how long he would last.

Howard (0-4) picked up a loss after he only lasted 1.1 innings, surrendering six runs on six hits and a walk while striking out two versus the Astros on Monday.

The 25-year-old was tagged for three runs in the first inning and then three more in the second before getting pulled. Howard now owns a 7.38 ERA and 1.59 WHIP over 39 innings this season. He is on an innings limit still after being reinstated from the COVID-19 list on Sept. 8 and his next opportunity to start is tentatively scheduled for Sunday versus the White Sox.

Colome blew a save after giving up one run over 1.1 innings in the loss against the Yankees on Monday. He gave up one hit and stuck out four.

The closer was called upon to protect a three-run lead while inheriting two baserunners. He surrendered a game-tying three-run homer to Aaron Judge before striking out the final four batters he faced. It was the 32-year-old's first blown save since Aug. 25. Colome hadn't given up a run in his last eight outings while posting a 1.00 WHIP and converting six saves over that stretch.

Bazardo (lat) was activated from the 60-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Bazardo has recovered from a strained right lat but will remain in the minors following his activation. He's appeared in two contests this season for the Red Sox, allowing one hit and two walks while fanning three in three scoreless innings.

Gonsalves was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Gonsalves has spent nearly the last two weeks in the big leagues, but he'll head back to the minors following the activation of both Hirokazu Sawamura (COVID-19) and Austin Davis (personal). Gonsalves allowed two runs on two hits and struck out four across 4.1 frames during his time with the Red Sox.

The Blue Jays optioned Hatch (hamstring) to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

Hatch was only up with the Blue Jays for one day after the team required a temporary sixth starter due to Saturday's doubleheader with the Orioles. He pitched the second game of the twin bill, working four innings and giving up one run on one hit and two walks while striking out three before exiting with a hamstring issue. The extent of the injury isn't yet clear, but evidently, it wasn't significant enough for the Blue Jays to move him to the 10-day injured list.

Payamps (undisclosed) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Monday.

Payamps had been on the injured list since Saturday, but his brief absence signals that he didn't test positive for COVID-19. The right-hander will be available out of the bullpen for Tuesday's series opener against Oakland.

McHugh will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher in Monday's game against the Blue Jays in Toronto, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

McHugh has 124 career MLB starts under his belt, but the Rays aren't expected to have him pitch more than 2-to-3 innings before turning the game over to the bullpen. Ryan Yarbrough is expected to be available in a bulk-relief role, making him the Rays pitcher most likely to factor into any decision. Since returning from the injured list in early August, McHugh has covered 13.2 innings over eight appearances, giving up three runs (two earned) on nine hits and four walks while striking out 10.

Yarbrough is expected to work as a bulk reliever behind opener Collin McHugh in Monday's game against the Blue Jays in Toronto, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After Yarbrough was pummeled for seven runs over two innings while working as a traditional starter his last time out Sept. 6 in Boston, manager Kevin Cash will see if the lefty can deliver better results while working out of the bullpen. Though he won't necessarily be the first pitcher out of the bullpen once McHugh exits, Yarbrough projects to cover the most innings of any Rays arm and is thus the most likely candidate to factor into any decision.

Trivino fired a scoreless ninth inning in a loss to the Rangers on Sunday, recording a strikeout.

Following a disastrous five-appearance stretch between Aug. 21 and Sept. 4 during which he yielded 13 earned runs on eight hits over 3.2 innings, Trivino bounced back to provide back-to-back scoreless one-inning, one-strikeout efforts during the weekend series against Texas. Manager Bob Melvin gave the embattled reliever six days between appearances after the last game of the former sample, and the time away from the mound may have helped reset the right-hander mentally. Despite the improved form versus the Rangers, high-leverage opportunities may be at a premium for Trivino during the remainder of the regular season.