MLB Player News

Shafer cleared waivers and was granted his release by the Marlins on Friday.

The 27-year-old was designated for assignment by the Marlins earlier in the week and will hit free agency after going unclaimed on waivers. Shafer appeared in five games this season and gave up eight runs on eight hits with five strikeouts and four walks over 5.2 innings.

Quezada had his contract selected by the Marlins on Friday.

The 26-year-old will provide some bullpen depth for the Marlins for the final few weeks of the season. Quezada finished 2019 at High-A and had a 3.44 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 49:28 K:BB over 52.1 innings while in the Twins' organization.

Alexander worked behind starter Jordan Zimmermann in the Tigers' 6-3 win over the Cardinals in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader. He tossed 1.2 innings and gave up two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two.

Alexander's previous appearance Sept. 4 had come in a starting role, but he shifted back to the bullpen with Zimmermann's return from a forearm injury providing Detroit with another healthy rotation arm. However, since Zimmermann had been sidelined all season before being activated Thursday, he was pulled after three innings (42 pitches), which allowed Alexander to piggyback him. Detroit should have a fairly normal schedule for the rest of the season with no more doubleheaders currently on tap, so Alexander could have fewer opportunities to work multiple innings.

Romano (finger) remains without a timeline to return from the 10-day injured list, but the Blue Jays expect to gain clarity on that front in the coming days, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

In a related note, manager Charlie Montoyo said Wednesday that Ken Giles (forearm) is nearing a return from the 45-day IL, so Romano doesn't look like he'll have a chance at re-entering the closer conversation even if he makes it back before the regular season ends Sept. 27. Before being diagnosed with a sprained right finger and landing on the IL, Romano had been the Jays' best reliever this season, posting a 1.23 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB in 14.2 innings. Shortly before getting hurt, Romano appeared to settle in as the team's primary ninth-inning man after converting two of three save chances, but Toronto will lean on Rafael Dolis and Anthony Bass as their main closing options until Giles is ready to retake the role.

Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said Wednesday that Giles (forearm) is close to a return from the 45-day injured list and will likely be used "before the ninth [inning]" initially once he's activated, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Since Giles has been on the shelf since late July with a strained right forearm, Montoyo is understandably reluctant to immediately thrust the 29-year-old into his familiar closer role right away while the 24-19 Blue Jays look to protect their positioning in the AL playoff race. So long as Giles looks good in his first appearance or two upon coming off the IL, however, he should move back ahead of Rafael Dolis and Anthony Bass in the pecking order for saves. Toronto hasn't yet put a firm target date on Giles' return from the IL, but his activation could come as soon as this weekend.

Weber improved to 1-2 after working 2.1 innings out of the bullpen and giving up a run on two hits and a walk while striking out four in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Rays.

Weber had started in his last two appearances and fared respectably, but due to a pair of off days this week (Monday and Wednesday) and the expected return of Nathan Eovaldi (calf) from the injured list this weekend, the 30-year-old right-hander was available out of the bullpen. He came on in relief of starter Mike Kickham in the bottom of the fifth and was able to preserve Boston's one-run lead, picking up his first win of the season in the process. Weber will likely slot back into the rotation in next week's series with the Marlins when a fifth starter is needed again.

Antone will start Saturday's game against the Cardinals, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The 26-year-old delivered six innings of one-run ball during his previous start Sunday, and he'll remain in the rotation for at least one more turn. Antone has a 2.49 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 33:11 K:BB through 25.1 innings this season.

Young will shift to the bullpen as Caleb Smith (COVID-19) enters the rotation to start Friday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Young had a five-turn run as a starter, posting a 4.56 ERA and allowing six home runs over 23.2 innings. If the Diamondbacks need a fifth starter, it looks like they'll go with Taylor Clarke, although playing time and roles at a few positions remain fluid.

Alzolay allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two over 3.2 innings against Cincinnati on Thursday. He did not factor in the decision.

Alzolay gave up a pair of runs in the first inning and another in the second before settling down to retire seven of his final eight batters, but he was unable to make it to the fourth frame after tossing 78 pitches. Walks have been a driving force behind his high pitch counts; with the two he issued Thursday, Alzolay has now racked up seven free passes over his last 6.1 innings. Though the Cubs have a need for a fifth starter due to injuries in their rotation, it's uncertain whether they will continue to look to Alzolay as the answer. If he does get another start, it isn't likely to come until Sept. 22 at Pittsburgh.

Voth allowed three runs on two hits and two walks across 4.1 innings pitched in Thursday's loss to the Braves. He struck out four and did not factor in the decision.

Things were looking great for Voth in the early parts of Thursday's outing. The right-hander retired the first nine batters he faced, while the Nats spotted him a 5-0 lead. Unfortunately, Voth seemed to lose his command in the fourth, as he walked two and allowed a two-run homer to Freddie Freeman. He struck out Nick Markakis to begin the fifth but was pulled a batter later after hitting Tyler Flowers. The 28-year-old was charged with one more run when Ronald Acuna took Wander Suero deep for a two-run homer. Voth will once again try for his first win when he takes the ball Wednesday against the Rays.