MLB Player News

Urena will start Sunday's game against the Rockies at Coors Field.

He'll make his second straight turn through the rotation after picking up a win in Tuesday's 15-8 victory over the Athletics while holding Oakland to two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks over five innings. The Rangers should have starting roles available for both Urena and Jack Leiter until the team gets one of Nathan Eovaldi (groin), Max Scherzer (back) or Dane Dunning (shoulder) back from the injured list.

Alexander (ribs) allowed five runs (four earned) on three hits, a walk and a hit batsman without recording an out during a relief appearance for Triple-A Las Vegas against Round Rock on Friday.

The veteran southpaw had fired a scoreless frame with two strikeouts against San Jose in his second rehab outing Tuesday, but Friday's appearance saw Alexander fall apart in alarming fashion. Given the results, Alexander, who threw 22 pitches Friday, may be in line for at least one more rehab appearance in order to build some momentum before being activated.

Kimbrel (4-1) picked up the win in Saturday's 5-4 extra-innings victory over the Diamondbacks, striking out one in a scoreless 11th inning.

He hit Christian Walker with his first pitch of the frame, but Kimbrel quickly escaped the jam by fanning Jake McCarthy and then inducing a double-play grounder from Eugenio Suarez. The veteran reliever then got rewarded when Jordan Westburg walked it off in the bottom of the inning. Yennier Cano worked the ninth inning at home in a tie game -- usage normally reserved for a team's closer -- while Danny Coulombe handled the 10th, so Kimbrel may not be back in the top spot in the O's bullpen just yet, but efforts like this should help him get there.

Brebbia earned a save against the Guardians on Saturday by retiring all three batters he faced, including one by strikeout, in the ninth inning.

Michael Kopech has emerged as Chicago's primary closer early in the campaign, but manager Pedro Grifol opted to go to Brebbia in the ninth Saturday with the team holding a two-run lead. The right-hander got the job done, setting down the side in order on 14 pitches for his first major-league save since 2018. It's unclear why Kopech wasn't used despite getting Friday off -- it's worth noting that he notched back-to-back saves Wednesday and Thursday -- but if he has to miss time for any reason, Brebbia would be among a group of White Sox relievers who could snap up any save opportunities that arise.

Romano gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his sixth save of the season in a 10-8 win over the Twins.

The right-hander stayed perfect in save situations on the season, but Saturday's performance was only the fifth time in nine appearances that Romano has avoided getting tagged with a run. His 4.15 ERA and 1.38 WHIP are well off from his usual standards, but his 8:2 K:BB through 8.2 innings isn't far from the mark, and his stuff appears to be fine -- he topped out at 99 mph with his fastball.

Fairbanks (arm) struck out one in a perfect inning in Saturday's 7-2 win over the Yankees.

Fairbanks was activated from the IL earlier in the day following a nearly three-week absence with a nerve issue. Rays manager Kevin Cash put him right to work, asking him to preserve a five-run lead in the ninth. Fairbanks did so without a sweat, needing just 11 pitches to complete the 1-2-3 frame. The 30-year-old now sits on a 7.88 ERA and 11:8 K:BB over eight innings this season. Despite the ugly numbers, Fairbanks should still be the clear favorite for saves in Tampa Bay's bullpen, as long as he's healthy.

Jansen struck out two in a perfect inning Saturday to notch his sixth save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Nationals.

After the Red Sox broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, Jansen made quick work of the Nats in the top of the ninth with a groundout and a couple punchouts. The outing comes one day after Jansen was touched up for two runs in a non-save situation Friday. Jansen battled control issues early on in the season but has seemed to figure those out, putting up a 10:1 K:BB across his last six frames.

The Red Sox are expected to option Winckowski to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Sean McAdam of The Springfield Republican reports.

The move will clear the way for Brayan Bello (lat) to be activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start Sunday against the Nationals. Winckowski has more walks (six) than strikeouts (four) over his last 14.2 innings (seven appearances). He'll likely be back up at some point when the Red Sox need a fresh bullpen arm.

The Athletics optioned Lucas to Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

The move corresponds with the Athletics recalling right-hander Joey Estes from Triple-A Las Vegas. After having his contract selected from Las Vegas on Wednesday, Lucas struggled in his two major-league outings, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six over 2.1 innings. Lucas has a more respectable 2.87 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 15.2 frames in Triple-A, so a return to the minors could help the southpaw regain some form.

The Rays optioned Uceta to Triple-A Durham on Saturday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

The move corresponds with right-hander Pete Fairbanks (arm) being reinstated from the 15-day injured list. Uceta made two big-league appearances after being called up from Triple-A Durham on Monday. Over that span, the right-hander threw four scoreless innings, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out five.