MLB Player News

Alexander will start Saturday's game against the Mariners.

The Tigers lack appealing rotation options beyond ace Matthew Boyd, making it no surprise that Alexander will earn a second turn after limiting the Blue Jays to one run over seven innings last weekend. The lefty posted a useful 94:18 K:BB in 85 frames at Triple-A Toledo earlier this season, but a 1.9 HR/9 played a major part in him posting a 5.72 ERA. Alexander's flyball tendencies will make it difficult to count on him consistently turning in quality starts.

Leclerc pitched a scoreless eighth inning in Friday's 5-2 win over the Athletics.

Friday's game was the first save opportunity for the Rangers since closer Shawn Kelley (biceps) landed on the injured list. Manager Chris Woodward had Leclerc pitch the eighth while Chris Martin notched the save in the ninth. For now, it looks like Martin is first in line for saves while Kelley's on the shelf, but that could change pending the organization's moves at the trade deadline. In fact, giving Martin the save chance may have been part of a strategy to enhance his trade value.

Junis (6-9) took the loss Friday as the Royals were downed 8-3 by Cleveland, coughing up six runs on 10 hits and two walks over six innings while striking out five.

A three-run blast by Jose Ramirez was the big blow, but Junis was in trouble basically all night, and things could have been even worse for him if not for a couple of double plays turned behind him. The right-hander now sports a 5.03 ERA and 120:45 K:BB through 125.1 innings, and he'll try to get back on track in his next start Wednesday, at home against the Blue Jays.

Martin is attracting attention on the trade market, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Martin, who has a 1.45 ERA and 0.80 WHIP over his last 19 appearances, notched his fourth save Friday. In what was the first save opportunity since Shawn Kelley (biceps) landed on the injured list, Jose Leclerc pitched the eighth inning before Martin handled the ninth. With Kelley sidelined, Martin appears to be first in line for saves, but that could last only until the trade deadline.

Martin earned the save Friday after holding the A's scoreless with two strikeouts over one inning while allowing a walk and a hit.

Martin came into the ninth inning to protect a three-run lead. He gave up a leadoff double to Mark Canha, then walked Ramon Laureano. Luckily, the right-hander posted back-to-back strikeouts before forcing Chris Herrmann to ground out and end the game. With Shawn Kelley (biceps) on the shelf, Martin is expected to share save opportunities with Jose Leclerc, pending any possible trades with the deadline rapidly approaching. Through 38 innings this season, Martin holds a 3.08 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 43:4 K:BB with four saves.

Mengden (5-3) was charged with the loss against the Rangers on Friday after surrendering four runs on three hits and four walks while striking out five over 5.1 innings.

Mengden, facing Texas for the first time this season, held his opponents scoreless until the fourth inning, when he allowed a walk, back-to-back doubles and a single to give the Rangers a 3-2 lead. A two-run single by Asdrubal Cabrera in the sixth accounted for Mengden's final runs of the night. The loss was his first since a May 12 start against Cleveland. The 26-year-old now owns a 4.85 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 41:25 K:BB and will look to bounce back at home Thursday against the Brewers.

Beeks will be the primary pitcher behind opener Andrew Kittredge against the Blue Jays on Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Beeks will work in his customary long-relief role, one he's found success in on multiple occasions this season. However, the left-hander will be trying to put his worst outing of 2019 behind him when he takes the hill Saturday, as he surrendered eight earned runs on seven hits and two walks across 3.2 innings against the Red Sox last Monday.

Kittredge will serve as the opener in Saturday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kittredge has been solid throughout the season, posting a 2.55 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 19:6 K:BB across 17.2 innings over 14 appearances. The right-hander made his first appearance as an opener June 21 against the Athletics, firing a pair of scoreless innings in that contest. Kittredge is likely to only cover an inning or two Saturday before giving way to primary pitcher Jalen Beeks.

Cisnero (0-1) pitched two-thirds of an inning Friday, allowing a walkoff single to Mallex Smith in a 3-2 loss to the Mariners.

Overall, Cisnero allowed two hits and a walk in the appearance. The right-hander owns a 3.38 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with 12 strikeouts in 13.1 innings across 11 appearances this season. Cisnero will likely remain in low-leverage roles given his inability to consistently deliver clean outings.

Norris allowed two runs on five hits and a walk over 6.1 innings in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Mariners. He struck out eight and took a no-decision.

Norris was strong in this outing, but a two-run home run by Tom Murphy in the seventh inning was enough to take the left-hander out of the running for a decision. Norris has been inconsistent this season -- he's allowed three runs or fewer in six of his last 10 starts, but also surrendered five or more in the other four starts over that span. The 26-year-old has a 4.89 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over 106.2 innings this season. He's expected to next take the mound versus the Angels on Wednesday, carrying an unsightly 2-8 record into that matchup.