MLB Player News

Alexander will serve as the Rangers' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

Alexander has given up three earned runs across his last 1.1 innings, but the Rangers will use him as their opener Wednesday to combat the top half of Chicago's batting order, which is often stacked with lefties. Cal Quantrill is expected to handle bulk-relief duties once Alexander exits the game.

Paredes went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in a 5-3 win against the Marlins on Tuesday.

Paredes provided the bulk of Houston's scoring with a three-run shot to left field in the fifth inning. The blast snapped a 10-game homerless stretch for the third baseman, though he's otherwise been hitting quite well. Through 15 contests in July, Paredes is batting .310 (18-for-58), albeit with a modest five extra-base hits, six runs and eight RBI.

Phillips (2-5) completed 4.1 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out two batters in a loss to Houston on Tuesday.

Phillips fell behind quickly, giving up a leadoff homer to Jeremy Pena in the bottom of the first inning. The righty hurler got through the third and fourth frames facing the minimum six batters, but he was pulled with one out in the fifth and was charged with an additional run, which was unearned, following his departure. While his final line wasn't entirely disastrous, Phillips managed just two punchouts and saw his season record drop to 2-5. He's lined up for a tough matchup against Philadelphia his next time out.

Hader notched a save against the Marlins on Tuesday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter in one scoreless inning.

Hader unsurprisingly got the call in the ninth inning with Houston up two runs. He surrendered a ground-rule double to the first batter he faced but responded by retiring the next three hitters in order. Hader had uncharacteristically given up a run in two of his prior three outings entering Tuesday, so this was a strong bounce-back effort. He's a perfect 11-for-11 in save opportunities this season while registering a 1.47 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 29:8 K:BB through 18.1 innings spanning 20 appearances.

Buehler (6-5) earned the win against Atlanta on Tuesday, allowing two runs on two hits and five walks with three strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

Buehler allowed two runs in the second inning but otherwise kept Atlanta in check despite issuing a season-high five walks. It was a much-needed effort from the 31-year-old, who entered Tuesday having surrendered 20 earned runs over his first three July outings. He'll carry a 5.23 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 84:40 K:BB across 94.2 innings this season into a road matchup with the Marlins this weekend.

Imai (6-4) earned the win over Miami on Tuesday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks while striking out eight batters over six innings.

Imai held the Marlins scoreless through four frames and ended up with just one run on his ledger. The Japanese righty recorded 15 whiffs en route to eight punchouts and posted his fifth quality start of the campaign. Perhaps the only concerning part of Imai's outing is that his control was shaky -- he threw just 56 of 96 pitches for strikes and tossed a first-pitch strike to only 11 of 25 hitters. Still, it was a promising opening to the second half for Imai, who struggled to a 6.06 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 13 starts prior to the All-Star break. He'll look to build on Tuesday's outing his next time out, which lines up to be a road tilt against the Angels.

Lopez (4-3) took the loss against the Padres on Tuesday, allowing five runs on nine hits and three walks with six strikeouts over 4.1 innings.

Lopez allowed runs in three separate innings, including solo homers in the fourth and fifth. The 32-year-old allowed one earned run in each of his first three starts upon returning to the rotation June 26 but has now surrendered nine earned runs over two straight losses. He'll take a 3.95 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 60:28 K:BB across 66 innings this season into a road matchup with the Orioles this weekend.

Valdez (5-7) took the loss against the Cubs on Tuesday, giving up six runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning.

Valdez made his first start since July 9, but the extra time off didn't seem to do him any favors. The lefty hurler allowed the first seven batters he faced to reach base, and he was pulled with two outs in the first frame after forcing home a run by issuing a bases-loaded walk to Pete Crow-Armstrong. It was the second time in Valdez's career that he's been unable to get out of the first inning, and it was the third time this season that he's surrendered five or more runs in a start. Valdez's initial campaign with Detroit has been mostly a disappointment, as his 4.57 ERA is the seventh-worst mark among qualified MLB hurlers.

Merrill went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Tuesday's 8-3 win over Atlanta.

Merrill tied things up in the fourth inning with a solo blast off Reynaldo Lopez. It's been feast or famine for the 23-year-old through five games since returning from the All-Star break, as he's posted three hitless efforts while tallying six hits and three homers in his other two games. For the season, he's slashing .222/.278/.368 with 13 homers, 43 RBI, 46 runs scored and 20 steals across 416 plate appearances.

Dingler went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double and a two-run home run in Tuesday's 11-2 loss to the Cubs.

Dingler hit his deep fly in garbage time with the Tigers down 11-0 in the top of the ninth inning, but fantasy managers don't care when the power arrives. The slugging catcher also went deep twice Monday, and he's now up to 22 home runs overall. Dingler is tied for second at his position in homers with Shea Langeliers, and Hunter Goodman is leading the way among catchers with 31 long balls.