MLB Player News
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Jason Alexander SP | HOU
Astros' Jason Alexander: Secures three-inning save
Alexander allowed two hits and two walks while striking out two over three scoreless innings to earn the save in Friday's 18-1 win over the Dodgers.
The Astros' lead was never in doubt, so Alexander had plenty of runs to work with in the blowout win. He spared the rest of the team's bullpen, turning in a 57-pitch outing to earn the first save of his major-league career. He's still at an 8.40 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 11:10 K:BB across 15 innings between the Astros and the Athletics this year, though he's been much better in limited action with Houston as a swingman. It's unclear if he'll stay in the majors after his call-up Friday -- either way, he won't be available to pitch at any level for at least a few days.
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Lance McCullers SP | HOU
Astros' Lance McCullers: Rebounds in blowout win
McCullers (2-3) allowed one run on four hits and four walks while striking out four over six innings to earn the win over the Dodgers on Friday.
McCullers rebounded from giving up eight runs to the Cubs in his previous start after returning from a toe injury. While he earned a quality start Friday, he walked four batters for the third start in a row as control continues to be an issue for the right-hander. He's also had to deal with diminished velocity in his first major-league season since 2022. McCullers is at a 5.82 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 44:24 K:BB through 38.2 innings over nine starts this year. His next start is projected to be at home versus the Guardians.
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Bailey Ober SP | MIN
Twins' Bailey Ober: Continues to throw
Ober continues to throw while on the injured list and has received medicine to eliminate inflammation in his injured left hip, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Since Ober wasn't shut down from throwing, he has a better chance to return from the injured list when first eligible right after the All-Star break. Once the swelling is gone from his hip, he'll increase his throwing activity, and a clearer timetable for his return will come into focus.
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Zebby Matthews P | MIN
Twins' Zebby Matthews: Set for another bullpen session
Matthews (shoulder) is set to throw a third bullpen session Sunday and could face live hitters next week, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Matthews could be set to begin a rehab assignment in a week or so if all goes well. He's been on the shelf since June 8 due to a moderate subscapularis strain in his right shoulder. Matthews could be ready to return from the injured list shortly after the All-Star break.
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Pablo Lopez SP | MIN
Twins' Pablo Lopez: Set to throw next week
Lopez (shoulder) will start throwing next week after an MRI showed his inflammation and swelling are "totally gone," Twins head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Lopez was diagnosed June 4 with a Grade 2 teres major strain in his right shoulder and was expected to be out for approximately 8-to-12 weeks. So far all the reports of Lopez's progress have been encouraging, so he could return in the earlier part of that range. However, he still has several hurdles left to clear before a timetable comes into focus.
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Reese Olson SP | DET
Tigers' Reese Olson: Earns no-decision in return
Olson settled for a no-decision after throwing 4.1 innings, allowing one run on six hits and one walk while striking out three during Friday's 2-1 win over the Guardians.
In his first big-league start since hitting the injured list with a finger injury, Olson slogged through just over four innings of work, not making it through the requisite five required to be credited for a win in the game. The only damage came courtesy of a Jose Ramirez solo home run, just the third long ball the 25-year-old has allowed this season in 53 innings. It might take some time for Olson, who has a solid 2.89 ERA on the season, to fully get back into a rhythm, and he is scheduled to make what will likely be his last start before the All-Star break at home against the Rays on Wednesday.
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Slade Cecconi SP | CLE
Guardians' Slade Cecconi: Takes loss despite allowing two runs
Cecconi (3-4) was saddled with a loss after throwing six innings, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five, during Friday's 2-1 loss to the Tigers.
Cecconi rebounded from his second start of under five innings his last time out to the tune of six innings of two-run ball against one of the best lineups in MLB. The 26-year-old allowed two home runs, the second straight start in which he's allowed a long ball, but kept the Guardians in the game and gave them a chance to win. The right-hander's ERA is down to 3.56, lowest among all Guardians starting pitchers, with the caveat being he's made only eight appearances so far. Cecconi's last scheduled start before the break lines up to come against the Astros on the road next week.
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Kyle Hendricks SP | LAA
Angels' Kyle Hendricks: Allows three runs in no-decision
Hendricks took a no-decision after throwing 5.1 innings, allowing three runs on four hits with no walks while striking out two, during Friday's 4-3 loss to the Blue Jays.
Hendricks has continued to be a consistent innings-eater for the Angels this season. Since the calendar turned to May, the 35-year-old has worked through at least five innings and hasn't allowed more than four earned runs in any start, a streak that now spans 12 starts. Encouragingly, the right-hander kept the ball in the park, only the fifth time he hasn't allowed a home run in 17 appearances, but he has yet to go back-to-back starts without giving one up. That might not bode too well for his next scheduled start, which is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday at home against the Rangers.
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Eric Lauer SP | TOR
Blue Jays' Eric Lauer: Has longest outing of season
Lauer took a no-decision after throwing six innings, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out six, during Friday's 4-3 win over the Angels.
Whether in bulk relief or as a starter, Lauer has had a strong campaign, and he continued that Friday with his longest start of the season. The 30-year-old seems fully stretched out to be able to handle a starter's workload now, which is a welcome boost to the Blue Jays' rotation. The left-hander has not allowed more than three runs in an appearance all season, and he holds a 3-0 record with a 2.59 ERA and 33 strikeouts 31.1 innings pitched since June 1. Lauer will get a chance to build upon this outing when he makes his next start, scheduled to be on the road at the White Sox.
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Kumar Rocker P | TEX
Rangers' Kumar Rocker: Allows two runs in no-decision
Rocker took a no-decision after throwing 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four, during Friday's 3-2 loss the Padres.
Rocker struggled in his first start after being recalled from Triple-A Round Rock, but he has been much better in the four starts since. The 25-year-old hurler has allowed just six runs in his last 21.2 innings while striking out 20 batters. It's the most consistent stretch of pitching the right-hander has displayed at the MLB level, and he's looking more and more like the pitcher the Rangers drafted him to be in the first round back in 2022. Rocker is scheduled to make his next start on the road at the Angels next week.