MLB Player News

Alexander will start Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the White Sox, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Alexander was initially slated to toe the rubber for Friday's nightcap, but both games were ultimately postponed due to rain. As a result, his final outing of the year will come Saturday evening.

Fulmer opened Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader against the Tigers and pitched 2.2 innings, but the game was postponed due to weather.

The White Sox were expected to play two games Friday, but both games were called due to weather. Chicago will play a doubleheader Saturday and one game Sunday.

Burke's shoulder discomfort is a continuation of the impingement he battled in the minors in the first half of the season, and he won't require surgery, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Burke will need some rehab but is expected to return prior to the start of the 2020 season. The pair of shoulder issues gives some reason to worry about the 23-year-old's value next season, however, and his 7.43 ERA and 11.7 percent strikeout rate over his first six big-league starts aren't particularly encouraging either.

Fulmer will start the first game of Friday's doubleheader against Detroit if rain allows the game to go forward.

Ivan Nova had been scheduled to pitch, but the White Sox didn't want to waste him in what may wind up as a rain-shortened appearance. Fulmer hasn't recorded more than seven outs in an appearance since April, so his outing is likely to be fairly brief even if the weather improves.

Alexander won't start the afternoon portion of Friday's doubleheader against the White Sox as the game is threatened by rain, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The Tigers didn't want Alexander's final outing of the season to be cut short due to rain. If the game happens at all, it will be a bullpen game for Detroit, with Matt Hall pitching first. It's not clear when Alexander will pitch again, but it seems as though he's expected to do so at some point.

Hendriks struck out two in a perfect ninth inning to pick up the save against Seattle on Thursday.

Hendriks was summoned to protect a two-run lead and made quick work of the Mariners, firing 10 of 13 pitches for strikes and whiffing two batters. The right-hander has held opponents scoreless in 21 of his last 24 appearances, converting 16 of 18 save opportunities over that stretch. He has emerged as one of baseball's most dominant closers in 2019, posting a 1.60 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 123:21 K:BB over 84.1 innings.

Manaea (4-0) earned the win against Seattle on Thursday, pitching six innings and giving up one run on four hits and no walks while striking out five.

Manaea was in complete control throughout the quality start, tossing 54 of 82 pitches for strikes while yielding only one run in six innings. The southpaw has won each of his last four outings and carries a pristine 1.21 ERA and 0.78 WHIP in five starts this season. Despite missing most of 2019 with an injured shoulder, Manaea has pitched well enough since his return to merit serious consideration for a start in the American League Wild Card Game on Tuesday, should Oakland qualify.

Barria was removed from Thursday's game against Houston due to a right toe blister.

Barria was forced to leave the matchup as a result, and his season is likely over with only three contests remaining. Assuming he's indeed done for the year, he'll finish with a 6.43 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with a 71:25 K:BB over 78.1 innings.

Barria left Thursday's game against Houston with an apparent right side injury, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Barria looked to be in pain after throwing a pitch in the fifth inning, and he exited with a trainer after being examined on the mound. He surrendered three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings.

Leclerc recorded the final out of the game with a strikeout to earn the save Thursday against the Red Sox.

Leclerc came into the game with two outs in the ninth inning and struck out the only batter he faced to earn his 14th save of the season. While not particularly dominant, Leclerc hasn't blown a save since Aug. 20 and has allowed four earned runs in his last 11.1 innings. His ratios remain inflated for the season -- he has a 4.09 ERA and 1.32 WHIP -- but he has punched out 96 batters across 66 frames.