MLB Player News

Alexander completed six innings against Baltimore on Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits and no walks while striking out six batters in a no-decision.

Alexander wasn't able to record a third straight scoreless outing, but he did notch his third consecutive quality start. His six punchouts also tied a season-high mark, and he didn't walk a batter for the first time among his six starts (he's also come out of the bullpen five times). Alexander has impressed in a starting role this season, registering a 2.86 ERA with a 28:11 K:BB across 34.2 innings. The Astros are close to getting starters Lance McCullers (finger) and Luis Garcia (elbow) back from injuries, and despite the recent run of success, it remains to be seen if Alexander will be able to keep a rotation spot when those hurlers return.

Cecconi (5-6) took the loss against Atlanta on Saturday, allowing eight runs (six earned) on 10 hits and two walks while striking out three batters over 4.2 innings.

Cecconi got through a scoreless first inning but struggled thereafter. The biggest blow to his stat line came on a three-run homer by Michael Harris in the fifth. Cecconi failed to make it through five frames for the second straight start following a streak of six consecutive outings of six-plus innings. He's been particularly hurt by the long ball of late, serving up 11 homers across his past 52.2 frames. On the season, his 1.7 HR/9 is the eighth-worst figure among MLB hurlers who have thrown at least 80 innings.

Kim went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Giants.

Kim has logged a steal in two of his last three games, going 4-for-11 in that span. The 29-year-old has regained a starting job at shortstop since returning from a stint on the injured list due to lower-back tightness at the start of August. Kim should be able to keep the job a while longer while Taylor Walls (groin) is out. For the season, Kim has a poor .213/.298/.333 slash line with two home runs, six steals, five RBI and five runs scored over 84 plate appearances, though he's been bothered by a handful of injuries throughout the campaign.

Fairbanks allowed a hit and struck out three to earn the save in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Giants.

Fairbanks continues to bounce back from a rough July with a strong August. While he allowed a hit for a third straight outing, he was able to secure his fourth straight save while extending his scoreless streak to six innings. Fairbanks is now 22-for-26 in save chances while pitching to a 2.53 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 44:15 K:BB through a career-high 46.1 innings.

Houser allowed four hits and struck out six without walking a batter over five scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Giants on Saturday.

Houser took advantage of a favorable matchup, and while he didn't get in the win column, he left the Rays in a strong position. He's still given up nine runs over 15.2 innings since he was dealt from the White Sox, but Saturday's performance suggests he may be getting comfortable with his new team. On the year, he's maintained a 2.67 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 60:26 K:BB through 84.1 innings over 14 starts. The 32-year-old is tentatively lined up to make his next start at home versus the Cardinals.

Bello (9-6) earned the win against the Marlins on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks with two strikeouts over 6.1 innings.

Bello was extremely efficient, throwing 52 of 78 pitches for strikes while limiting damage despite giving up 10 hard-hit balls. It was a solid rebound after surrendering five runs to San Diego last Sunday, and the 26-year-old has now gone at least five innings in 14 straight starts dating back to June 3. He'll take a 3.23 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 97:45 K:BB over 128 innings into a road matchup with the Yankees next weekend.

Chapman retired the only batter he faced in the ninth inning to earn the save in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Marlins.

Chapman was called upon after the Marlins plated three two-out runs in the ninth, and he needed just three pitches to lock down his 22nd save. The 37-year-old has converted five straight chances and held opponents scoreless in 45 of 52 outings this season. He's 22-for-24 in save opportunities with a microscopic 1.15 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 66:13 K:BB across 47 innings.

Bieber (elbow) threw seven scoreless innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, allowing six hits and zero walks while striking out four.

The right-hander was dominant in what will almost certainly be his final rehab start as he completes his recovery from Tommy John surgery, firing 64 of 90 pitches for strikes. Per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, Bieber's fastball has averaged 92.5 miles per hour during his rehab stint, 1.2 mph higher than his last fully healthy campaign in 2022, when he posted a 2.88 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 198:36 K:BB over 200 innings. Acquired from the Guardians in a trade-deadline deal, Bieber is likely to make his Blue Jays debut -- and first big-league start since April 2, 2024 -- next weekend in Miami. It's not yet clear, however, whether Toronto will shift to a six-man rotation at that point, or bump one of their current starters to the bullpen to accommodate Bieber's return.

Story went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run, a stolen base and an additional run scored in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Marlins.

Story singled, swiped second and scored in the first inning before launching a three-run blast in the third.The 32-year-old has been outstanding in August, piling up seven multi-hit efforts along with five extra-base hits, 14 RBI, 14 runs scored and five steals across 14 games. He's now slashing .260/.304/.426 with 19 homers, 79 RBI, 70 runs and 22 steals across 494 plate appearances in what has been one of this season's best comeback campaigns.

Suarez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Mets.

Suarez supplied Seattle's only run with a 412-foot shot off Edwin Diaz in the ninth inning. It was the 34-year-old's second home run since returning to the Mariners, and he's just 8-for-56 with seven RBI and eight runs scored over 15 games since rejoining the club July 31. For the season, he's slashing .235/.305/.540 with 38 homers, 94 RBI, 72 runs scored and three steals across 498 plate appearances between the Diamondbacks and Seattle.