MLB Player News

The Brewers optioned Alexander to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

Milwaukee is scheduled to return starter Eric Lauer (elbow) from the injured list to take the hill for Friday's game in Cincinnati, so Alexander will end up losing his spot in the rotation and on the 28-man active roster. After being promoted from Nashville on Aug. 22, Alexander made six appearances (four starts) and turned in a 5.87 ERA and 1.52 WHIP across 23 innings.

Lopez didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Cubs, allowing one run on five hits over 6.2 innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The right-hander put together one of his better starts of the second half, but a lack of run support kept Lopez out of the win column. He tossed 68 of 105 pitches for strikes en route to his second straight quality start but only his fifth in 12 outings since the All-Star break, a stretch during which he's stumbled to a 5.57 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 61:18 K:BB through 63 innings.

Anderson (15-4) took the loss in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Diamondbacks, giving up three unearned runs on two hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out six.

The veteran lefty was victimized by some bad defense in his return from the paternity list, as a Trea Turner throwing error in the second inning led to Arizona's first run, while three more Los Angeles miscues in the sixth -- including two by Anderson himself -- tacked two more runs on the board. He was still able to extend his quality start streak to four, however, and he has nine in 11 outings since the All-Star break -- a stretch during which Anderson boasts a stellar 1.92 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with a 44:17 K:BB through 70.1 innings.

Grove didn't factor into the decision in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Diamondbacks, giving up five runs (three earned) on nine hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out seven.

The rookie right-hander was hit hard as five of the nine hits off him went for extra bases, including homers by Daulton Varsho in the third inning and Christian Walker in the fifth. However, the Dodgers got him off the hook for his first big-league loss with a five-run rally in the eighth. Since becoming Los Angeles' de facto sixth starter at the end of August and spotting in and out of the rotation, he's posted a 4.30 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB through 14.2 innings over three starts.

Wainwright (11-10) took the loss during Tuesday's 5-0 defeat at the hands of the Padres, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks with one strikeout in six innings.

Wainwright fell behind immediately after permitting two runs on three baserunners in the first inning and let in additional runs in the fourth and fifth to take only his second loss in his last 11 starts. The 41-year-old has opened September slow by allowing 13 runs compared to eight strikeouts in 21 innings across four starts. He carries a 3.38 ERA into his next start, currently scheduled for Sunday against the Dodgers.

Clevinger (6-7) earned the win during Tuesday's 5-0 victory over St. Louis, allowing three hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 5.2 scoreless innings.

Clevinger wore down as the start progressed -- he permitted multiple baserunners in each of his final two frames -- but was able to avoid any big blows and post his first scoreless start in 14 turns. A healthy 12 swinging strikes led to only three strikeouts as the 31-year-old has failed to eclipse four whiffs in any of his last nine starts. Clevinger sports a 4.23 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with 86 strikeouts in 104.1 innings across 21 games and 20 starts. He's projected to pitch again this week Sunday in Colorado.

Freeland (9-10) took the loss during Tuesday's 6-3 defeat at the hands of the Giants, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and one walk with four strikeouts in six innings.

Freeland held San Francisco to a single unearned run through five frames but fell behind 3-0 after surrendering three straight doubles in the sixth. Despite snapping a two-start win streak, the 29-year-old continued a solid five-game stretch that features a 1.84 ERA across 29.1 innings. Freeland now possesses a 4.38 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 121 strikeouts in 160.1 innings across 28 starts. He's currently scheduled to pitch again Sunday at home against San Diego.

Ortiz did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks over five innings against the Yankees. He struck out five.

Ortiz held the Yankees scoreless through four innings, but an error and a couple of hits in the bottom of the fifth cost Ortiz both an earned run and an unearned run. Even so, he was in line for the victory before the bullpen blew the game. The flamethrowing rookie has looked good for the Pirates so far, allowing just one earned run in 10.2 innings of work with 10 punchouts. He will likely face the Cubs this weekend if he sticks around in the rotation.

Carrasco tossed four innings, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four in Tuesday's win over the Brewers. He did factor into the decision.

Carrasco didn't have his best stuff Tuesday, surrendering three runs in the second inning on four hits and a walk. He was able to follow up the difficult frame with two scoreless innings before being removed from the contest after the fourth. The poor outing snapped a two-game quality start streak for the right-hander. Since returning from the 15-day injured list Sept. 4, Carrasco has produced a 2.89 ERA and 1.34 WHIP with 23 strikeouts over 18.2 frames in four starts.

Ashby pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out two in Tuesday's loss to the Mets. He did not factor into the decision.

Ashby was activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of Tuesday's start following a shoulder injury and he was able to hold the Mets scoreless over two frames. The left-hander wasn't expected to handle a full workload and was removed from the contest after tossing 41 pitches. Prior to heading to the IL, Ashby had struggled to a 6.89 ERA over 15.2 innings in his previous three starts. Overall, the 24-year-old owns a 4.48 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with 118 punchouts over 98.1 frames in 24 appearances this season including 18 starts.