MLB Player News

Alexander will start Friday against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Alexander has shifted between a bulk relief and a traditional starting role. It appears he's in line for the latter Friday, and he should have no limitations after working six innings in his last appearance, which came against San Francisco on Sunday.

Leclerc (1-2) picked up the win Thursday, allowing two walks and striking out two over one scoreless inning in a 9-7 victory over the Tigers.

It was a wild affair in Detroit, as the Tigers came back from 4-0 and 7-4 deficits before the Rangers put it away in the final two innings. For Leclerc, it was his first time in what would be a considered a high-leverage spot since he was removed as the team's closer last weekend. He entered with two outs and two inherited runners in the seventh inning and escaped without damage. He became the pitcher of record an inning later when Texas broke a 7-7 tie. He worked around a pair of walks in the eighth before Kirby Yates came in for a four-out save. Since Leclerc lost the closer's job, the right-hander has not allowed a run and struck out six over four innings.

Clase earned the save in Thursday's 5-4 win over Boston, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

It was an encouraging effort from Clase after he'd blown his previous two save opportunities. Despite his recent rough patch, the 26-year-old Clase has been excellent overall to start the year, allowing just one earned run through his first nine innings while striking out seven as he improves to 5-for-7 in save chances.

Criswell (0-1) took the loss Thursday against the Guardians, allowing four runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk over 2.1 innings.

While Criswell didn't miss many bats in his brief outing, the Red Sox defense didn't do him any favors, as they committed a pair of errors behind the right-hander resulting in three unearned runs. The 27-year-old Criswell sports a 4.26 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 4:2 K:BB through his first 6.1 innings this season. He'll likely continue to work in a bulk role while Nick Pivetta (elbow) and Garrett Whitlock (oblique) are sidelined.

Yates earned the save in Thursday's 9-7 win over Detroit, allowing one hit while logging a strikeout in 1.1 scoreless innings.

Yates entered with two outs in the eighth inning, striking out Spencer Torkelson to strand the tying and go-ahead runs on base before working around a two-out single in the ninth en route to his second save this season. Yates has yet to allow a run through his first eight appearances (8.2 innings) this year. The 37-year-old veteran has saves in two of the Rangers' last four games, as he looks to be firming his grasp on the ninth-inning job in Texas.

Jacques is being optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Andrew Parker of Beyond the Monster reports.

Jacques was recalled from Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday. He made an appearance Thursday and gave up a run on three hits across 1.2 innings. The 29-year-old is being sent back down as Cam Booser is set to join the team in a corresponding move.

Stephenson will undergo season-ending surgery on his right elbow, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

It was reported Wednesday that Stephenson would miss the remainder of the season, so it's not a surprise to hear that he needs surgery. The specific type of surgery hasn't been revealed, and it's possible it won't be known publicly until after the procedure occurs. If Stephenson needs Tommy John surgery, he could be out until around midseason of next year.

Poche earned the save in Thursday's 2-1 win over Anaheim, working around a pair of hits while striking out one in the ninth inning.

After Pete Fairbanks threw 28 pitches Wednesday, the Rays turned to Poche in the ninth Thursday. The left-hander allowed a pair of base hits but ultimately coaxed a game-ending groundout from Brandon Drury, stranding the tying and go-ahead runs on base. It's the fifth-straight scoreless outing for Poche after he allowed four runs in his first three appearances this year. While Fairbanks and Jason Adam likely remain ahead of Poche in the ninth-inning pecking order, the 30-year-old southpaw could be in the mix for the occasional save going forward depending on matchups.

Anderson (1-1) allowed a hit and struck out one without walking a batter over a scoreless inning, earning the win in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the White Sox.

Anderson pitched the seventh inning and became the pitcher of record when Salvador Perez put the Royals ahead with a two-run home run in the eighth. It's been feast or famine for Anderson so far -- he has five scoreless outings and two games where he's given up two runs. He's sporting a 3:4 K:BB and a 2.00 WHIP over six innings, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him continue working as a middle reliever most of the time.

The Guardians optioned Parsons to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.

Parsons was pushed off the big-league roster in order to make room for Pedro Avila, who was acquired from San Diego on Wednesday. Parsons has given up six earned runs in nine innings this season between the Guardians and Blue Jays, and he may return to Cleveland later in the year as a multi-inning relief option.