MLB Player News

Further testing on Alcala's right forearm revealed a radial stress fracture in his right forearm, and he'll be shut down until symptoms resolve, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Park notes that the stress fracture is being described as a "pretty rare" injury for a pitcher without much injury history to draw upon. The Twins will evaluate the right-hander again in 10-to-14 days, but there's no clear timeline as to when Alcala will be ready to return. It's possible that Minnesota won't see Alcala as a part of its pitching staff until July.

Loup (hamstring) is expected to face hitters Monday and could embark upon a rehab assignment soon thereafter, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

On Friday, Loup threw his fourth bullpen since hitting the IL, and his session coming up Monday is likely to be a simulated game, per MLB.com. It's not certain that he'll need a rehab stint, but if he does it should be a short one given the veteran reliever is less than three weeks removed from his last game appearance. Loup struggled with a 7.00 ERA and 2.11 WHIP through 11 outings prior to the injury; he attributes the poor numbers to throwing more breaking balls and plans to increase his fastball usage upon his return, per Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register.

Weiss (1-0) earned the win over the Reds on Friday, allowing a walk and striking out the only batter he retired.

Weiss was summoned in the top of the seventh with a runner on base, two outs and the Angels down a run. He walked Carlos Correa but was able to escape the frame by striking out Byron Buxton. The right-hander picked up the win as a result of Los Angeles putting up two runs in the bottom of the frame. This was the first big-league appearance of the season for Weiss, who was recalled from Triple-A on Sunday.

Abreu picked up a hold Friday against the Reds, allowing one walk and striking out one batter in a scorless inning.

Abreu threw just 10 of 21 pitches for a strike, but he got through his frame yielding just one baserunner. The right-hander went through a rough stretch from May 9 to May 14 during which he gave up a run in each of his three appearances covering 3.2 total innings, but he's since had back-to-back scoreless outings. Abreu has picked up a hold in each of his past two games after collecting just one hold through his first 15 contests this season.

Kowar was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Kowar was called up Tuesday and tossed 2.1 scoreless innings while walking two batters and striking out three in Friday's 2-0 loss to the White Sox. With Amir Garrett (personal) being reinstated from the family emergency list Saturday, Kowar will head back to Triple-A. The right-hander could earn another call-up later this summer if a bullpen arm goes down for Kansas City.

Peralta picked up a hold against Cincinnati on Friday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning.

Peralta came into Friday with three saves over the past week, but manager Aaron Boone chose to go to him in the eighth with New York clinging to a one-run lead. The southpaw got the job done with a pair of punchouts in a perfect inning, then was replaced by Nick Ramirez in the ninth. Peralta has pitched well this year and should continue to see save chances, but Friday's bullpen usage is a reminder that the Yankees haven't settled on him -- or anyone else -- as their full-time closer.

Fairbanks picked up the save during Friday's 1-0 win over the Brewers, tossing a scoreless ninth in which he allowed one hit. He struck out one and did not issue a walk.

Fairbanks blew a save and took the loss in his last appearance, but he bounced back with a solid outing versus Milwaukee. He gave up a leadoff single to Jesse Winker and eventually allowed the game-tying run to reach third with two outs, but Fairbanks retired Tyrone Taylor to end the game. Fairbanks is now 4-for-5 in save chances this year and continues to operate as a co-closer with Jason Adam, who's 5-for-8 in save opportunities.

Lange struck out two in 1.1 perfect innings to record his eighth save of the season in Friday's 8-6 win over the Nationals.

The right-hander needed only 13 pitches (nine strikes) to shut down the bottom of Washington's order. It's been over a month since Lange allowed a run, as he's reeled off 15 straight scoreless appearances, and the 27-year-old sports a 0.98 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 34.7 percent strikeout rate through 18.1 innings on the season. While little has gone right for the Tigers this season, they do seem to have found an elite high-leverage arm in Lange.

Winckowski picked up the save in Friday's 6-1 win over the Padres. He allowed one walk while striking out two over three scoreless innings.

Winckowski's lone walk in the seventh inning was the only baserunner he allowed in this near-perfect outing. The right-hander has now tossed scoreless appearances in five of his last six games. The second-year hurler is pitching well as a multi-inning reliever this year, and he has a 2.15 ERA and 0.99 WHIP across 29.1 innings.

Estevez picked up the save in Friday's 5-4 victory over the Twins. He struck out two over a perfect inning.

Estevez is now tied for second in the big leagues in saves with 11, which also ties his career high. The former Rockie also sports a 1.29 ERA and 1.14 WHIP, both of which would also represent career highs. The 30-year-old's lowest ERA over a full season is 3.47, which he registered last year.