MLB Player News

Alexander started at third base before moving to left field Saturday, going 0-for-3 with an RBI in a 5-1 win over Boston.

Alexander made the defensive switch in the seventh inning. One inning later, he robbed Alex Bregman of a home run despite never having played the outfield in the majors before this past week. He's made three outfield starts and could soon gain fantasy eligibility at the position depending on league requirements. Alexander is slashing .234/.332/.431 with seven home runs, a .197 ISO and 22 RBI over 167 at-bats.

Pasquantino went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, two RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 11-2 win over the Twins.

Pasquantino stayed hot at the plate in the blowout win, notching his third straight multi-hit performance. The first baseman has been particularly strong in the power department lately, slashing .277/.333/.660 with a .993 OPS, six doubles, 10 homers and 29 RBI across his past 25 contests.

Alvarez is scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

As anticipated, Alvarez will stick around in the Washington rotation after delivering a sterling performance in his MLB debut this past Monday against the Marlins. The 26-year-old lefty had a no-hitter going through the first four innings and ultimately allowed just three baserunners while striking out four batters across five frames, earning the win and helping the Nationals halt an eight-game losing streak. Alvarez will get a stiffer test for his second MLB start as he matches up against a Cubs offense that ranks fifth in baseball with a 109 wRC+ on the season, though Chicago could be without two of its key batters in Kyle Tucker (calf) and Pete Crow-Armstrong (knee).

Farris is scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Athletics in Anaheim.

Unsurprisingly, Farris has earned another turn through the Angels rotation after picking up a win in his MLB debut Tuesday. Despite having never pitched above the Double-A level, Farris was composed in his road start against the Royals, limiting them to one earned run on three hits and two walks while recording three punchouts. The 24-year-old lefty should have a good chance at sticking around in the big-league rotation through the end of the season.

Smith (hand) could be available off the bench for Sunday's game against the Orioles, MLB.com reports.

Smith has been left out of the lineup for each of the last three games while he's dealt with a right hand contusion, but the Dodgers have chosen not to place him on the injured list after an X-ray and CT scan came back clean. The injury may be something that Smith has to manage for the rest of the season, though he seems to have made at least a little progress. Ben Rortvedt will draw the start behind the plate in Sunday's series finale, but Smith could be called upon to make a pinch-hit appearance at some point during the contest.

May is slated to start Tuesday's game against the Athletics in Sacramento.

Just as manager Alex Cora suggested would be the case, May is set to return to a starting role this week after the right-hander was deployed on three days' rest as a reliever in his most recent outing this past Wednesday against the Guardians. While working behind opener Brennan Bernardino, May limited Cleveland to one earned run on three hits and two walks. Since being acquired from the Dodgers on July 31, May owns a 5.40 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 26:13 K:BB over 28.1 innings through his first six outings with the Red Sox.

Cantillo is slated to start Tuesday's game against the Royals at Progressive Field.

In the midst of a stretch of 17 games in 17 days that began Aug. 29, the Guardians have moved to a six-man rotation that now features Cantillo, who was recalled from Triple-A Columbus this past Wednesday. Taking the hill for the big club for the first time since Aug. 15, Cantillo shined against the Red Sox, earning a win while striking out seven and allowing one earned run on five hits and two walks. Over 30 appearances (nine starts) on the season for Cleveland, the lefty owns a 4-3 record, 3.73 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 87:38 K:BB in 72.1 innings.

Manaea is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

Though manager Carlos Mendoza had previously said that Manaea would make his 10th start of the season in Monday's series opener, rookie Nolan McLean will instead get the ball for that game. Manaea will be pushed back an additional day as a result, with the change taking the left-hander out of the running for a two-start week, assuming the Mets keep their six-man rotation in place. Manaea owns an excellent 37:5 K:BB in 27.2 innings over his last six starts, but since he's allowed six home runs and a .390 BABIP over that stretch, he's inflicted heavy damage on his fantasy managers' ratios with a 7.81 ERA and 1.48 WHIP.

Walker (5-5) took the loss and was charged with a blown save against the Cardinals on Saturday, failing to record an out while allowing three runs on four hits and a hit batter.

Called on to protect a two-run lead in the ninth, the right-hander quickly found himself in trouble, surrendering back-to-back singles before plunking Jimmy Crooks to load the bases. Thomas Saggese tied the game with an RBI single, and Jordan Walker followed with a two-run double to left, sealing Walker's fifth blown save of the season in 19 chances. The meltdown also snapped a 10-appearance scoreless streak for the Giants' reliever, who sports a 3.93 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 55:14 K:BB across 55 innings of work.

Pallante didn't factor into the decision against the Giants on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out three over six innings.

Pallante turned in his first quality start since July 28, keeping San Francisco in check outside of a pair of runs in the fourth inning. The right-hander has struggled with consistency in the second half, including a 9.82 ERA and 2.14 WHIP over five starts in August, but he showed improved command and efficiency Saturday by completing six innings for just the second time in his last eight outings. Pallante will take a 5.28 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 104:53 K:BB over 150 innings into Milwaukee for his next scheduled start.