Alexander is slated to start Tuesday's game against the Athletics in Sacramento, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alexander was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land prior to Monday's series opener, but after he wasn't needed in relief in Houston's 3-1 loss, he'll end up filling the opening in the Astros' six-man rotation that was created by Lance McCullers' (foot) move to the injured list. The 32-year-old right-hander will be making his first start in the big leagues since 2022, though he's been working out of the rotation or as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen over his nine appearances at the Triple-A level this season. After the Astros claimed him off waivers from the Athletics on May 18 and optioned him to the minors, Alexander delivered a 1.74 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 15:8 K:BB in 20.2 innings with Sugar Land prior to getting recalled.

Cantillo struck out one over two scoreless innings for Triple-A Columbus on Sunday.

This was Cantillo's first start after a bout of elbow discomfort shut him down for a brief period of time. He opened the season in the Guardians' bullpen, and was sent down to Columbus, where he will be stretched out as a starter.

Spence allowed one run on seven hits and one walk while striking out two batters over five innings in a no-decision against Houston on Monday.

Spence served up a solo homer to Jose Altuve in the first inning, but he kept Houston from scoring over his final four frames. The right-hander recorded just one 1-2-3 inning and induced only six whiffs, but this was still a nice outing overall. Spence has been impressive since joining the Athletics' rotation early this month, allowing only two runs while registering a 10:2 K:BB over 15 innings across three starts. He's tentatively slated to face Cleveland at home in his next appearance.

Chapman earned a save against the Mariners on Monday, striking out all three batters he faced in one inning of work.

Chapman had little trouble protecting a two-run lead in the ninth frame, as he fired 10 of 13 pitches for strikes and punched out Randy Arozarena, Dylan Moore and Donovan Solano in order. The veteran lefty has a 10-game streak of outings in which he hasn't given up an earned run, and during that stretch he's posted a dominant 14:1 K:BB while allowing just two hits over nine innings. Chapman has successfully converted 13 of 14 save chances on the campaign, and his 42:9 K:BB, 1.50 ERA and 0.83 WHIP through 30 frames make him one of the league's most reliable closers this season.

Abreu (1-3) allowed two earned runs on one hit and one walk without recording an out to take the loss Monday against the Athletics.

Abreu entered the game in the ninth inning with the score knotted at 1-1. He walked Brent Rooker and then served up a two-run home run to Nick Kurtz, which marked the first runs that Abreu surrendered since May 23. Overall, he has 29 scoreless efforts in 32 appearances for the season while also racking up 18 holds.

Soto struck out three in a scoreless sixth inning during Monday's 7-1 loss to the Rays, allowing one baserunner on a hit batsman.

Soto had a shaky start to June, serving up a home run in his first outing of the month, but he's now rattled off six scoreless appearances in a row since then. The hard-throwing left-hander had a 4.67 ERA for the season as of May 23, but he's improved that mark to a healthier 3.51 to go with a 1.21 WHIP and 31:8 K:BB over 25.2 innings following Monday's effort. Soto has been a key setup man for closer Felix Bautista with 15 holds, the third-highest figure for this category in the American League so far.

Strickland recorded one out to pick up the save in Monday's 1-0 extra-innings win against the Yankees.

The veteran right-hander collected his 30th career save by retiring Anthony Volpe on a groundout. Strickland relieved Brock Burke in the 11th inning after the latter loaded the bases with two outs. There isn't a closer controversy in Anaheim, as Kenley Jansen pitched earlier in this contest when the game was scoreless in the ninth.

The Athletics optioned Holman to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Holman hadn't pitched since last Wednesday, when he was dinged for three runs without recording an out. He's clearing out to make room on the roster for the return of J.T. Ginn (quadriceps) from the 15-day injured list.

The Mariners optioned Kowar to Triple-A Tacoma on Monday, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

The transaction frees a spot on the active roster for the return of right-hander Logan Gilbert (elbow) from the injured list. Kowar made seven appearances after being activated from the 60-day injured list late last month, yielding two runs with an 8:3 K:BB over 8.2 frames.

Cousins will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Wednesday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Cousins has dealt with issues with his pitching arm since the beginning of spring training and recently experienced a setback that has prompted him to get season-ending surgery. He will be shelved at least until the middle of the 2026 season.