MLB Player News

Alexander worked a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his third save of the season in a 7-4 win over the Blue Jays. He didn't strike out a batter.

The 31-year-old southpaw hadn't picked up a save since March 30, but with Jacob Latz and Jakob Junis each having worked the prior two days, Alexander found himself handling closing duties again and got the job done. He's been scored upon in just one of eight appearances in June, posting a 1.08 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 6:2 K:BB over 8.2 innings this month. However, Alexander's high-leverage work has been limited, and he has no wins and only one hold during that time, in addition to Saturday's save.

Quantrill didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Blue Jays, scattering two hits and a walk over four scoreless innings. He struck out five.

Making just his second career start in Toronto, the Canadian right-hander blanked the Jays over 55 pitches (36 strikes) but wasn't stretched out enough to qualify for the win and take advantage of a five-run fifth inning by the Rangers. Quantrill is making a case to remain in the rotation while Jack Leiter (ankle) is on the shelf, and he'll take a 3.31 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 25:11 K:BB through 35.1 innings and 17 appearances (two starts) into his next outing, which is set to come at home next week against the Tigers.

Hader struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his seventh save of the season in an 8-6 win over the Tigers.

The veteran closer continues to shine since making a belated season debut in early June after recovering from biceps tendinitis. Hader has been scored upon in only one of 11 appearances since coming off the IL, producing a 0.82 ERA, 0.36 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB in 11 innings, and he has yet to blow a save chance.

Teng didn't factor into the decision Saturday in an 8-6 win over the Tigers, coughing up five runs (four earned) on eight hits and a walk over 3.2 innings. He struck out one.

A grand slam by Kerry Carpenter in the third inning accounted for most of the damage off Teng, but a late rally by Houston took the right-hander off the hook for his seventh loss of 2026. Teng has given up at least five runs in four of five June starts, and while some unearned runs have softened the blow to his ratios, he still carries a 7.77 ERA, 1.86 WHIP and 20:9 K:BB through 22 innings on the month. He's currently scheduled to make his next start at home next week against the Twins, but with Cristian Javier (shoulder) having built up to 75 pitches in his most recent rehab outing, Teng's time in the rotation may be about to end.

Chapman walked one and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 16th save of the season in a 4-1 win over the Yankees.

The veteran closer picked up his second save of the series against the club with whom he racked up 153 between 2016 and 2022, the most of any of the seven teams Chapman has suited up for in his big-league career. The left-hander's only blown save of the season came at Coors Field last week, and over 23.2 innings so far this year he's produced a 1.90 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 30:11 K:BB.

Taylor (3-1) earned the win against the Royals on Saturday, striking out four over two perfect innings.

Taylor entered a tie game in the eighth inning and needed just 19 pitches to log two perfect frames. It snapped a streak of five straight outings in which the 24-year-old allowed at least one run, and he's now worked multiple frames in five of his past nine appearances. For the year, he's notched two saves and five holds to go along with a 2.83 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 60:12 K:BB across 41.1 innings.

The Blue Jays traded Juenger to the Athletics on Saturday in exchange for minor-league catcher Owen Carapellotti.

After being designated for assignment Tuesday by Toronto, Juenger finds a new home with the Athletics. The 25-year-old appeared in just two games for the Blue Jays, allowing three earned runs on two hits and two walks in two innings. The A's DFA'd Brett Harris to make room on the roster for Juenger.

The Astros are expected to recall Ullola from Triple-A Sugar Land prior to Sunday's game against the Tigers, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Houston has already optioned right-hander Kai-Wei Teng to Triple-A to open up room on the 26-man active roster for Ullola, who is set to receive his first big-league call-up.The 24-year-old has posted a 5.48 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 64:35 K:BB in 47.2 innings over 20 total appearances with Sugar Land this season, but he pitched more effectively after making the full-time move to the bullpen in late May, turning in a 2.70 ERA and 16:6 K:BB across 10 frames. Ullola is likely to serve as a low-leverage reliever while he's up with Houston.

Ragans will undergo surgery on his left elbow Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

A left elbow impingement has kept Ragans on the shelf since early May. He suffered a setback in his recovery June 13 and will now opt to go under the knife to address the issue. The type of procedure he receives will be determined once the surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, diagnoses exactly what is wrong with Ragans' elbow, so a timeline for the southpaw's return won't be available until the operation is complete.

The Mariners recalled Simpson from Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday.

Simpson has coughed up two earned runs in just 2.1 innings with the Mariners this year, but he's turned in a 2.92 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 12.1 Triple-A frames since making his last big-league appearance May 13. He'll provide Seattle's bullpen with a fresh low-leverage arm, replacing Alex Hoppe.