MLB Player News

Alexander (4-10) tossed seven scoreless innings to earn the win Monday against the Orioles. He allowed two hits and two walks while striking out four.

The typically tame Detroit offense exploded for 11 runs, which helped Alexander cruise to his first win in nearly a month. The lefty had allowed 10 earned runs across 9.1 innings in his last two starts, so this effort was a bit unexpected. Alexander now has a 4.91 ERA across 84.1 innings this season. He'll look to build on this positive outing in his next scheduled start Sunday against the White Sox, though he's still hard to trust for fantasy purposes.

Hentges struck out two batters over 2.1 perfect innings and earned a save over Minnesota on Monday.

Hentges needed just 20 pitches to quickly retire all seven batters he faced in Monday's blowout win. The 26-year-old lefty has fired 10.2 consecutive scoreless frames while posting a 14:1 K:BB. He lowered his season ERA to 2.51 with a 66:17 K:BB through 52 appearances. Hentges saw his first saw chance of the year Monday and likely won't see many more down the stretch.

Graterol (elbow) felt strong while facing live hitters Monday, and the team expects him back in the near future, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Manager Dave Roberts noted that Graterol should be activated from the 15-day injured list shortly after Blake Treinen, who is on track to return Thursday. His exact return date will likely be dictated by how he feels following Monday's session.

Cubs manager David Ross said Monday that Thompson (back) will be activated from the 15-day injured list within the next couple of days and will be used out of the bullpen, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Since Thompson landed on the injured list Aug. 20 with lower-back tightness and didn't start his rehab assignment until this past weekend, he didn't have enough time to get stretched back out for a traditional starter's role. He's at least healthy now and will be able to finish the season on the field, with the Cubs likely to deploy him as a multi-inning arm out of the bullpen. In his lone rehab appearance at Triple-A Iowa, Thompson struck out four while allowing an earned run on one hit and one walk over 2.1 innings.

The Brewers optioned Kelley to Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

Kelley loses his 26-man roster spot after yielding two runs in 2.1 innings Sunday against the Yankees. Having posted a 6.08 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 23.2 big-league frames this year, the 28-year-old appears unlikely to see much more action with the Brewers in 2022.

The Brewers recalled Cousins from Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

Cousins posted a 2.84 ERA and 17:6 K:BB in 11 appearances for Triple-A Nashville after being sent down Aug. 24. Having also pitched to a 4.50 ERA in eight big-league games this season, the righty should see some action out of the bullpen and, maybe in a pinch, some high-leverage work.

Mayers is expected to remain in the bullpen this week while Tucker Davidson re-enters the rotation to start Wednesday's game against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

MLB.com previously listed Mayers as its starter for Tuesday's series opener in Texas, but he'll apparently stick around in a relief role with the Angels giving Davidson another chance to prove his worth as the sixth member of their rotation. Davidson owns a 7.24 ERA in 27.1 innings since arriving via trade from Atlanta on Aug. 2, but Mayers hasn't made an especially compelling case to displace him in the rotation. While covering 30.2 innings of his own since the beginning of August, Mayers has produced a 5.58 ERA and 1.34 WHIP.

Davidson is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Rangers in Arlington, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Though MLB.com previously listed Mike Mayers as a new addition to the rotation this week, Davidson will end up retaining his role as the Angels' No. 6 starter. Davidson doesn't seem to have much job security, however, as the Angels skipped his turn through the rotation this past weekend after he lasted just two innings while allowing four earned runs his last time out Sept. 11 in Houston. Since being acquired from Atlanta on Aug. 2, Davidson has gone 1-4 with a 7.24 ERA and 1.76 WHIP in 27.1 innings.

Weber declined his outright assignment to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and elected free agency Monday.

After the Yankees designated him for assignment Friday, Weber cleared waivers and will now look for another opportunity elsewhere. The reliever has produced a 0.84 ERA and 0.66 WHIP with three strikeouts over 10.2 innings in five appearances with Yankees this season.

Mayers is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Rangers in Arlington.

Even though he was blasted for five earned runs in 3.1 innings in his last appearance out of the bullpen Sept. 11 in Houston, Mayers will get the chance to fill the final opening in the Angels' six-man rotation. He'll be replacing Tucker Davidson, who hasn't appeared since allowing four earned runs in two innings in his start in that same Sept. 11 game. The Angels could end up deploying Davidson as a piggyback pitcher behind Mayers on Tuesday.