MLB Player News

Alexander is no longer scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Tigers, but he's likely to pitch in bulk relief while Shawn Armstrong serves as the Rays' opening pitcher.

Though Alexander operated as a starter his last time out Friday against the Yankees and struck out four over 5.1 scoreless innings, he looks set to appear out of the bullpen for his upcoming turn through the rotation. Working in bulk relief isn't anything out of the ordinary for Alexander, who previously tossed six innings of two-run ball behind Armstrong in an April 14 win over the Giants. The arrangement should put Alexander in better position to be credited with a win, if the Rays are able to come away with a victory in the series finale versus Detroit.

Armstrong will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

Armstrong will draw his third "start" of the season, but he hasn't recorded more than six outs in any of his eight appearances and is unlikely to work more than once through the batting order, if that. Manager Kevin Cash hasn't outlined his plans for once Armstrong exits the game, but Tyler Alexander is available on his standard four days' rest and will presumably operate as a bulk reliever after tossing 5.1 scoreless innings in his last start Friday against the Yankees.

Holmes struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his ninth save of the season in a 4-3 win over the A's.

The right-hander needed only nine pitches (seven strikes) to carve up the bottom of the Oakland order. Holmes has been brilliant to begin the season, converting nine of 10 save chances with a 0.00 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 10:1 K:BB through 12 innings, and he sits one ahead of the Padres' Robert Suarez for the MLB saves lead.

Foley struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his seventh save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Rays.

He needed only nine pitches (seven strikes) to dispatch the bottom of the Tampa Bay order. Foley has yet to blow a save or even give up an earned run this season, and the Tigers closer sports an 11:6 K:BB through 11 innings.

Leasure allowed one earned run on two hits across one inning to earn a hold Tuesday against the Twins.

Leasure entered the game in the seventh inning and was tasked with protecting a two-run lead. He gave up an earned run for his second consecutive appearance, though those are his only runs allowed across 9.1 innings of work on the season. Michael Kopech has earned the majority of save chances for the White Sox to this point in the campaign, but Leasure has proven to work effectively in high-leverage roles.

Estevez struck out two in a perfect ninth inning to pick up the save in a 7-4 win over the Orioles on Tuesday.

Estevez struck out Jackson Holliday and Adley Rutschman while getting Gunnar Henderson to ground out to retire the side in order. Tuesday was his first appearance in a week since blowing a save against the Rays. Outside of that outing, Estevez has been very reliable as the team's closer and doesn't face much competition for the job with Robert Stephenson (elbow) out for the year and Jose Soriano in the rotation. He now has four saves to go along with a 2.57 ERA, 0.57 WHIP and 7:0 K:BB in seven innings thus far.

Wilson (1-2) allowed two earned runs on three hits and a walk while striking out one across 0.2 innings to blow the save and take the loss Tuesday against the Twins.

Wilson has picked up two holds this season and has held a high-leverage role in the Chicago bullpen. He's had plenty of success -- eight of his 10 appearances have been scoreless-- but he ran into trouble in a save situation Tuesday. Wilson entered the game in the ninth inning with a one-run lead but immediately served up a game-tying home run to Byron Buxton. He got into more trouble before ultimately allowing a game-winning knock to Alex Kirilloff. The White Sox have only three saves as a team this season, but Wilson could get in the mix when Michael Kopech is used in high-leverage situations rather than in the final frame.

Kopech allowed two earned runs on two hits and no walks while striking out two to earn a hold Tuesday against the Twins.

Kopech was used in the eighth inning, and he primarily matched up against the top of the Twins' lineup. He allowed a leadoff single and later in the inning served up a two-run home run to Trevor Larnach. Kopech still maintained a one-run lead for the White Sox to earn his first hold of the season. The sample of the team maintaining a lead late in games is small, but it appears that manager Pedro Grifol is comfortable using Kopech in the highest-leverage situations rather than using him solely in save situations.

McArthur allowed one hit and one walk over two scoreless innings to earn a save in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jays.

Only two men were able to reach base against McArthur despite the 27-year-old pitching an additional inning Tuesday, though he failed to register a strikeout. The right-hander now has five saves on the young season and seems to have cemented himself as the Royals' primary closer.

Trivino (elbow) is doing well in his rehab from Tommy John surgery, according to Yankees manager Aaron Boone, and the veteran reliever is likely about two weeks away from beginning live batting practice sessions, per MLB.com.

Trivino is coming up on the one-year mark of his elbow surgery, which took place May 3, 2023. The right-hander threw bullpen sessions during spring training and has since continued to progress through his throwing program. Should he continue to move forward without any setbacks, Trivino could return to the Yankees bullpen around the All-Star break.