MLB Player News

McKinstry went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 7-5, 10-inning loss to the Astros,

McKinstry hit just his third home run of the season in the second inning to give the Tigers an early lead. It's mostly been an offensive struggle for the utility player, as he's batting just .191 with a .574 OPS, though he does now have consecutive multi-hit efforts. McKinstry is also seeing more regular time at shortstop recently, and he could start to raise his fantasy value a bit if he can string together a few more good performances.

Smith earned the save Sunday against the Mariners, allowing one unearned run on two hits while striking out one in the ninth inning.

After Cleveland erupted for five runs in the eighth inning, Smith was called on to protect a two-run lead. He allowed back-to-back singles before a throwing error by Victor Robles allowed a run to score. The right-hander stranded runners on second and third to preserve his 26th save of the season. Following a brief rough patch over his last few appearances, Smith has begun to steady himself and lower his ratios. He owns a 3.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a 57:10 K:BB across 38.1 innings.

Jansen (1-4) allowed four runs (three earned) on two hits and a walk across 1.1 innings of relief to take the loss in Sunday's extra-inning contest against the Astros. He struck out one.

Jansen got through the top of the ninth inning of a 3-3 game without any problems, but things came unraveled in the 10th. The veteran started the frame by allowing a walk, a single and a three-run home run. The rough outing pushed Jansen's ERA from 4.26 up to 5.31. It's been a poor campaign overall with four blown saves and now four losses as well. He's become increasingly hard to trust in fantasy leagues.

Alexander will operate as the Rangers' opening pitcher Monday in Cleveland, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Alexander is set to become the first pitcher since 1969 to record saves in back-to-back games and then start the following contest. He'll likely handle no more than an inning or two before turning the game over to the bullpen. The Rangers haven't indicated whether a pitcher will work in bulk relief behind Alexander, but Winston Santos is the freshest arm in the bullpen and had worked at least four innings in each of his last six outings at Double-A Frisco before being recalled Wednesday.

Williams did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Mariners, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out six over five innings.

Williams threw 64 of his 103 pitches for strikes and generated 13 swinging strikes, but Seattle pushed across a run in the second inning before adding two more in the third. The right-hander was lifted after five innings, marking his fifth consecutive start without completing six frames after reaching at that mark in each of his previous eight outings. Williams will carry a 3.81 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and a 117:34 K:BB into his next scheduled start against the White Sox at home.

Hancock did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Guardians, allowing one run on five hits and three walks while striking out six over 5.2 innings.

Hancock bounced back nicely after consecutive five-run outings, holding Cleveland to just one hit through his first four innings. The Guardians finally broke through in the fifth, opening the frame with three straight singles before a sacrifice fly accounted for the lone run against the right-hander. Hancock exited in line for the win, but Seattle's bullpen surrendered five runs in the eighth inning to erase the lead. He now owns a 3.47 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 87:22 K:BB across 90.2 innings and is lined up to have his next outing at home against Toronto.

Brown took a no-decision Sunday against the Tigers, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out four.

A fielding error by Raynel Delgado in the fifth inning allowed an unearned run to come across for Detroit, but Brown still logged his second quality start of the year. The 27-year-old right-hander put forth his longest outing since coming off the injured list due to a shoulder strain in mid-June, also throwing a season-high 103 pitches Sunday. Brown has given up multiple runs just one time this year, holding a 1.78 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 32:13 K:BB across his first 25.1 innings.

Flaherty took a no-decision Sunday against the Astros, allowing no runs on two hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out nine.

After missing about two weeks with a left peroneal strain, Flaherty looked very sharp in his return Sunday while generating 16 whiffs over five shutout frames. The month of June was certainly the 30-year-old right-hander's best so far, as he's posted a 2.50 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB across his last 23 innings. Flaherty, who still has a dispositioning 4.97 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 87:37 K:BB across 70.2 frames overall, will hope to maintain his momentum in Texas his next time out.

Rasmussen (7-4) notched the win Sunday against the Diamondbacks, allowing no runs on three hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out five.

Rasmussen was in top form Sunday, scattering two singles and a double across six shutout innings. The 30-year-old right-hander punctuated a spectacular month of June, giving up just three runs to go with a 39:4 K:BB through his last 33 frames (five starts). On track for his second consecutive All-Star nod, Rasmussen will take a 2.45 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 94:16 K:BB over 92 innings into his next scheduled appearance in Houston.

Ober (elbow) struck out one batter and allowed three earned runs on seven hits and no walks over 3.1 innings in a rehab start Sunday with High-A Cedar Rapids.

After completing a throwing progression, Ober was cleared to kick off a rehab assignment Sunday. Per Aaron Gleeman of AaronGleeman.com, the Twins were planning for Ober to throw around 50 pitches in his first game action since May 30. He ended up narrowly exceeding that limit, spotting 38 of his 57 pitches for strikes in the rehab outing. Ober will likely need at least one more appearance in the minors to get further stretched out, but he appears on pace to return from the 15-day injured list shortly before the All-Star break. Ober has been on the shelf since June 1 due to a right flexor strain.