MLB Player News

Cruz will serve as the Royals' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Since getting promoted from Triple-A Omaha in late August, Cruz has surrendered four runs across five innings, but over his last four appearances, he's allowed just two baserunners while striking out four across 4.1 frames. The Royals likely won't have Cruz cover more than an inning or two before he gives way to Alec Marsh, who is set to serve as a bulk reliever.

Jansen was taken out of his appearance in the ninth inning of Tuesday's second game of a doubleheader against the Yankees after experiencing symptoms of fatigue and illness, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Jansen allowed two baserunners before being pulled from Tuesday's game. Now that he's been confirmed to be dealing with fatigue and fighting off an illness, it's likely, but not certain, Jansen will be held out for a few days before making his next appearance. Josh Winckowski and Chris Martin could see an uptick in save opportunities while Jansen recovers.

Jansen was removed from Tuesday's nightcap against the Yankees with an apparent injury, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Jansen was removed by a trainer after allowing a walk and a single to begin the ninth inning. It's unclear at the moment what exactly is bothering Jansen, but the Red Sox should provide more information following Tuesday's game.

Loaisiga (elbow) has been ruled out for the rest of the season, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The Yankees don't believe Loaisiga is dealing with a serious elbow injury, per Hoch, but he'll still be sent to New York for an MRI. Loaisiga has dealt with durability issues his whole career, with 2021 representing the only season in which he logged over 50 MLB innings. He finishes the 2023 campaign with a 3.06 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and six strikeouts in 17.2 innings.

Cox was diagnosed Tuesday with a full ACL tear as well as damage to the MCL in his left knee, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Cox suffered the knee injury Friday, when he was hit by a comebacker and stumbled awkwardly to the ground. He will receive a second opinion, but the Royals fully expect that he'll require surgery. It's not known at this point how long his rehab process will take, but Cox could be sidelined for the start of the 2024 campaign.

Alexander (lat) has begun throwing on flat ground, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Alexander has already been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a partial tear in his left lat, which he suffered back in early July. It's a good sign that he's throwing again, though, which should set him up to have a relatively normal offseason.

Kelly (elbow) will move his rehab assignment from High-A Salem to Double-A Portland on Wednesday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Kelly began the assignment with Salem on Sept. 1 and gave up three earned runs on three hits and five walks while striking out three over two innings across his three appearances. Though he needs more time to regain command coming off an elbow procedure that he underwent in April, Kelly showed enough during his time at Salem to get bumped up to Double-A. He'll eventually move his rehab assignment to Triple-A Worcester before likely making his return from Boston's 60-day injured list at some point later this month.

Thornton (0-2) took the extra-innings loss against the Angels on Monday, allowing three unearned runs on two hits over one-third of an inning. He struck out one.

Thornton entered in the 11th inning hoping to preserve a 5-5 tie and got matters off on the right foot with a strikeout of Logan O'Hoppe before allowing consecutive singles, the latter plating automatic runner Kyren Paris. That led to Thornton's exit, but he was subsequently charged with two more unearned runs that were helped along by fielding errors. Thornton has now allowed at least one unearned run in three straight appearances following a stretch of eight straight scoreless outings, yet he still carries a stellar 1.85 ERA across 24.1 innings over 20 appearances between the Blue Jays and Mariners this season.

Loaisiga was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with right elbow inflammation.

Loaisiga missed four months earlier this season with the same injury and is now on the shelf again. He will be eligible to return during the final week of the season, but he and the Yankees might decide it's best to shut things down for the year at this point. Loaisiga has shown the ability to be a dynamic late-inning relief arm when healthy, but he's dealt with numerous shoulder and elbow issues the last few seasons.

The Yankees selected McAllister's contract from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday.

It's a story in perseverance, as the 35-year-old McAllister hasn't pitched in the majors since 2018, having bounced around to six different organizations since then on minor-league deals. He has earned a promotion by posting a 1.62 ERA and 20:4 K:BB over 16.2 innings with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.