MLB Player News

The Astros optioned Alexander to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.

Alexander was recalled from Triple-A on Tuesday, but he'll head back down after giving up five earned runs over 4.1 innings during Wednesday's loss to the Dodgers. The 33-year-old righty owns a 4.97 ERA and 1.52 WHIP through 29 innings (six starts) in the minors this season and could be called upon to make more appearances in the majors this year, especially considering the number of injuries that have already hit Houston's pitching staff.

Valdez's six-game suspension was reduced to five games Wednesday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Valdez initially received a six-game suspension for intentionally throwing at Trevor Story during Detroit's 10-3 loss to the Red Sox on Tuesday. Major League Baseball has now shaved a game off Valdez's suspension, which he will begin serving Wednesday. He will be eligible to make his next start May 13 against the Mets in Queens.

Bennett is slated to start Thursday's game against the Rays at Fenway Park, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

The Red Sox welcomed Sonny Gray (hamstring) back from the injured list Wednesday, but Bennett will wind up sticking around in the big-league rotation for another turn while the status of Ranger Suarez (hamstring) remains in flux. Boston is still leaving the door open for Suarez to start either of the final two games of the series versus the Rays, and if that comes to pass, Bennett could be headed back to Triple-A Worcester following Thursday's outing. The 25-year-old lefty turned in a strong performance in his MLB debut last Friday, striking out three while limiting the Astros to one run on five hits and two walks over five innings en route to picking up a win.

McClanahan (4-2) picked up the win Wednesday, scattering two hits and a walk over 5.2 scoreless innings in a 3-0 victory over the Blue Jays. He struck out four.

The southpaw extended his scoreless streak to 16.2 innings in a surprisingly short outing that saw McClanahan get the hook after just 69 pitches (47 strikes), one out shy of his second quality start of 2026. Both hits off McClanahan were doubles, but in neither case did the Toronto runner even advance to third base. He'll take a 2.60 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 34:14 K:BB through 34.2 innings into his next start, which is set to come on the road early next week in a rematch with the Jays.

Corbin (1-1) took the loss Wednesday as the Blue Jays fell 3-0 to the Rays, giving up two runs on five hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out one.

The veteran southpaw produced another solid performance, allowing two runs or fewer for a fifth straight start, but Corbin was stuck with his first loss of the year as the Toronto offense couldn't get anything going against Shane McClanahan and Tampa Bay's bullpen. Corbin's been a life preserver for the Jays' injury-depleted rotation, and he'll take a 3.60 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB through 30 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week in a rematch with the Rays.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Cole (elbow) is expected to need a "couple more" rehab starts before being activated from the 15-day injured list, David Lennon of Newsday reports.

Cole made the fourth start of his rehab assignment Tuesday, covering 4.1 innings and striking out four batters while yielding five earned runs on seven hits and no walks. From a volume standpoint, Cole appears capable of handling a typical starter's workload after he tossed 69 pitches Tuesday, but the Yankees may want the right-hander to iron out his command and pick up some velocity on the farm before adding him to the big-league rotation. While Cole has pounded the strike zone well and has permitted just one walk over 18.2 innings during his minor-league assignment, he's given up six home runs and has punched out just 14 batters. With at least two more starts in the minors on tap, Cole isn't projected to make his 2026 MLB debut until some point during the final two weeks of May.

Valera underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Tuesday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Valera injured his elbow in mid-April while pitching for High-A Greenville, and after an MRI and several consultations, he opted for surgery. The operation will likely knock the 19-year-old out until the second half of the 2027 season. Valera held a 1.93 ERA and 17:4 K:BB over 9.1 frames with Greenville before getting hurt.

The Twins designated Roa for assignment Wednesday.

The move frees a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Yoendrys Gomez, who was acquired from the Rays on Wednesday. Roa was a waiver claim of the Twins in late April but didn't make an appearance at the big-league level, having turned in a 7.71 ERA in three relief outings with Triple-A St. Paul.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Rodon (elbow) is likely on track to return from the 15-day injured list to make his season debut Sunday in Milwaukee, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Boone wouldn't 100 percent confirm that Rodon will take the hill Sunday, but the left-hander looks like he'll receive clearance to pitch that day if he makes it through his next bullpen session no worse for the wear. After undergoing surgery in October to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur in his left elbow, Rodon was brought along slowly in spring training and opened the season on the shelf before he was cleared to begin a rehab assignment April 24. Rodon looked sharp in appearances for High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset before struggling a bit in his final rehab outing with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday, when he was charged with six runs (five earned) on seven hits and two walks. More importantly, however, Rodon built up to 6.1 innings and 83 pitches in the outing, which bodes well for his ability to handle a full workload in his 2026 MLB debut.

Major League Baseball issued Valdez a six-game suspension and fined him an undisclosed amount for intentionally throwing at Boston's Trevor Story in the fourth inning of Tuesday's 10-3 loss, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Valdez recorded just nine outs and surrendered a career-high 10 runs (seven earned) on nine hits and one walk before he was ejected from the game in the top of the fourth when he plunked Story. Unless Valdez elects to appeal the ban, his suspension will go into effect beginning with Wednesday's series finale versus Boston. Valdez will be eligible to return to action May 14 against the Mets in New York.