MLB Player News

Lopez (biceps) is feeling better and hopes to be available Thursday against the Twins, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Lopez hasn't pitched since exiting an appearance Sunday with right biceps fatigue, but he's on the mend. The reliever is just 3-for-6 in save chances and has blown each of his last two with an overall 8.76 ERA this year. Even if Lopez is available Thursday, the White Sox might look in another direction if a save opportunity presents itself.

The Guardians are expected to activate Hentges (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list ahead of Friday's series opener with the Twins, MLB.com reports.

Hentges has been on the shelf all season with left shoulder inflammation, but he looks ready to make his 2023 debut for the Guardians after recently completing a two-week rehab assignment. Between two appearances at Double-A Akron and three at Triple-A Columbus, Hentges covered 4.2 innings and allowed one earned run on five hits and two walks while striking out four. Once activated from the IL, Hentges should serve as a key left-handed setup option in front of closer Emmanuel Clase.

Lange walked one and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning to record his fourth save of the season in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader sweep of the Mets.

The Tigers didn't need Lange's services in the nightcap, winning 8-1, but he got the call in the matinee after Detroit rallied in the bottom of the eighth to take a 6-5 lead. Lange has converted four straight save chances after blowing his first opportunity of the year, and a 10-appearance scoreless streak has left him with a stellar 1.32 ERA and 0.95 WHIP through 13.2 innings. His 29.6 percent strikeout rate is still a touch below his 2022 mark, but the 27-year-old is locking down the closer job in Motown, though Jason Foley also remains in the mix.

Leclerc allowed two runs on two walks and one hit over a one-third of an inning in Wednesday's 12-7 loss to the Diamondbacks.

On the day manager Bruce Bochy anointed Will Smith the team's sole closer, Leclerc had the kind of effort that reinforced the manager's decision. He walked the first two batters faced, the second of which produced the go-ahead run charged to Josh Sborz. A couple of batters later -- a sacrifice fly and a single -- and Leclerc's night was done. Leclerc has issued a passel of walks to start the season -- nine over 10 innings -- but until Wednesday, they hadn't hurt him.

Estevez picked up the save Wednesday against the Cardinals. He struck out two over a perfect inning.

Estevez is now tied for fourth in MLB in saves with seven. The right-hander also hasn't allowed a run over his last eight outings, and sports a 0.96 WHIP.

Pivetta (2-2) earned the win over Toronto on Wednesday, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out six batters over six innings.

Pivetta was dinged for a solo home run in each of the second and third innings, but he gave up only one additional run and completed a season-high six innings to notch his first quality start of the campaign. The right-hander racked up 14 swinging strikes and punched out six batters, marking the fourth time in six starts that he's reached the latter total. Pivetta was tagged for six runs in a start against the Angels on April 15, but he's given up four runs or fewer in each of his other outings this season.

Alexander (1-0) retired the lone batter he faced and earned the win in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets.

Alexander was the ultimate vulture in this one, as he only threw a single pitch but escaped as the pitcher of record in Detroit's 6-5 comeback victory. The lefty hasn't been much of a fantasy factor this season out of the bullpen with a 5.17 ERA across 15.2 innings and he's yet to make any spot starts after starting 32 times the last two years.

The Tigers returned White to Triple-A Toledo after Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets.

Detroit chose not to use White out of the bullpen in either of Wednesday's games, so he will have to wait a bit longer for his first major-league appearance. However, the 24-year-old reliever holds a 2.08 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 13 innings over nine appearances in Toledo, so it may not be long before he gets another chance on the big-league roster.

Angels manager Phil Nevin told reporters before Wednesday's game against the Cardinals that Quijada (elbow) will need Tommy John surgery, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Quijada sought a second opinion from doctors, and it appears that both groups recommended the reconstructive elbow surgery. The left-handed reliever will miss the rest of the 2023 campaign and he'll likely miss time to begin the 2024 season as well.

Henriquez (elbow) is beginning a rehab assignment Wednesday with Low-A Fort Myers, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Henriquez battled right posterior elbow soreness throughout much of spring training, but he was able to begin a throwing program toward the end of March and now the 22-year-old is ready again for live competition. He posted a 2.31 ERA across his first 11.2 major-league innings last season with the Twins and should be an option for their bullpen by mid-May.