MLB Player News

Alexander (ribs) threw live batting practice to Miguel Andujar (knee) on Tuesday and is now set to join Single-A Stockton to begin a rehab assignment Friday, MLB.com reports.

Alexander cleared his final hurdle to a return to the mound with Tuesday's activity, and when he does debut for the Ports, it will be his first game action since a March 6 Cactus League appearance against the Angels. Given the amount of time he's been sidelined, Alexander figures to need a fairly lengthy rehab assignment, even though he'll likely be utilized for no more than two innings per appearance once he's with the big-league club.

Spence (3-1) got the win against the Pirates on Tuesday, firing three scoreless, one-hit innings during which he recorded two strikeouts.

Spence got the fifth-inning call after starter Alex Wood labored to the tune of 93 pitches over four frames. As has become increasingly customary, Spence delivered an impressive multi-inning effort, his third three-inning scoreless outing over his last four appearances. Spence now has victories in back-to-back appearances as well and sports a 2.84 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB across his eight trips to the mound.

The Twins optioned Funderburk to Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Funderburk worked two innings in Tuesday's win over the White Sox, allowing a pair of runs. Since he wasn't going to be available for Wednesday's series finale in Chicago, Funderburk will head back to Triple-A while the Twins bring aboard right-hander Caleb Boushley from St. Paul to serve as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen.

The White Sox recalled Shuster from Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday.

Chris Flexen will start for the White Sox on Wednesday versus the Twins and has bounced between the rotation and bullpen lately, so Shuster will give Chicago an option for long relief, if needed. The lefty has allowed just one run over 6.1 innings in two relief appearances with the big club this season.

The White Sox optioned Berroa to Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday.

Berroa made just one appearance during his time with the White Sox, retiring one batter and hitting another with a pitch in Tuesday's loss to the Twins. The White Sox will replace him on the active roster with Jared Shuster, who was recalled from Triple-A and will give the bullpen more length.

Keller is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

Keller was called up from Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday and proceeded to make his White Sox debut as a reliever Monday, when he tossed 1.2 scoreless innings against the Twins. The White Sox haven't indicated that Keller will be joining the rotation on a permanent basis, as the team might have just wanted to build in an extra day of rest for Erick Fedde, who will take the hill Saturday after tossing 8.1 innings and 108 pitches in his most recent outing last Sunday versus the Rays. Keller will be taking the mound Friday on three days' rest, so he could face a light workload, even though he had worked five-plus innings in each of his three starts with Charlotte prior to his call-up.

Munoz completed a five-out save in Tuesday's 3-2 win over Atlanta, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out three in the process.

Munoz was forced into the game a bit earlier than expected after Ryne Stanek allowed three base hits to turn things into a 3-1 ballgame. Munoz did allow an inherited runner to score on a throwing error but was dominant otherwise and retired the side in order in the ninth with two strikeouts. Tuesday was the fourth time this season Munoz has pitched more than three outs and it was the third consecutive save he's converted, with all three coming over the last five days. The 25-year-old now owns a 2.25 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 16:7 K:BB in 12 innings thus far.

Alexander (1-1) took the loss Tuesday against Milwaukee after allowing three earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three batters across four innings.

Alexander was unable to keep the Brewers off the basepaths Tuesday, allowing three runs to score in the first two innings. He managed to keep Milwaukee from scoring over the next two frames but had to be pulled after needing 85 pitches to complete four innings, tying his shortest outing of the season. The 29-year-old southpaw owns a 5.02 ERA and 1.40 WHIP this season, though he'll have a good chance to bounce back during his next scheduled start Monday against the White Sox.

Duran gave up one hit and struck out a batter during a scoreless ninth inning to pick up the save during Tuesday's 6-5 win over the White Sox.

In his first appearance since being reinstated from the injured list, Duran picked up right where he left off last season. He allowed a leadoff single to Tommy Pham before retiring the next three batters, ending the game with a four-pitch strikeout of Andrew Vaughn. It wasn't clear heading into Tuesday's game whether or not Duran would immediately slide back into the closer role after missing the first month of the season, but it appears manager Rocco Baldelli will trust the 26-year-old righty to work the ninth inning going forward.

Poche (back) is not expected to spend much more than a minimum stint on the injured list, MLB.com reports.

Poche received an injection in his back shortly after landing on the injured list Friday. He's rested since, but will presumably resume throwing in short order. If Poche is able to return before Pete Fairbanks (arm), he could factor into the saves picture in Tampa Bay.