MLB Player News

Alexander won't make a start this week while the Tigers temporarily move to a four-man rotation, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

With an off day on the schedule Thursday, the Tigers will skip Alexander's turn before likely slotting him back into the rotation when a fifth starter is next needed Sept. 20 in Baltimore. In lieu of the start this week, Alexander will throw an extra side session to stay stretched out, and it's possible that he'll be available in long relief for this weekend's series with the White Sox if needed. The Tigers' decision to bypass Alexander's spot in the rotation this week comes after he allowed four earned runs across five innings in a losing effort Sunday in Kansas City. Alexander owns a 10.06 ERA and 1.82 WHIP in 17 innings over his last four starts.

The Rays selected Herget's contract from Triple-A Durham on Monday.

He'll provide the Rays with some reinforcement in the bullpen for their four-game series in Toronto with Brooks Raley (personal) unavailable after landing on the restricted list and with Ryan Yarbrough likely down for the next few days following a five-inning relief appearance in Sunday's loss to the Yankees. Herget has primarily served as a starter for Durham this season, logging a 2.55 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 92:14 K:BB across 91.2 innings.

The Rays selected Guerra from Triple-A Durham on Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Guerra will provide depth in the bullpen during this week's four-game series in Toronto-and possibly beyond-in his first big-league stint since early July. The righty has a 10.80 ERA in 8.1 MLB innings this season and has yielded four earned runs in his last three minor-league innings, suggesting he won't see any high-leverage work while with the Rays.

The Rays selected Criswell's contract from Triple-A Durham ahead of his scheduled start Monday in Toronto.

Since Criswell has pitched exactly between three and four innings in each of his eight outings with Durham since he was claimed off waivers from the Angels in July, the Rays likely won't ask him to pitch more than twice through the order in his 2022 MLB debut. Criswell, who owns a 3.95 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 27.1 innings with Durham, will likely be sent back to Triple-A following the spot start.

The Rays placed Raley on the restricted list prior to their series in Toronto, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Due to his vaccination status, Raley will miss the Rays' entire four-game set in Toronto before returning to the active roster Friday. The lefty has strung together eight scoreless appearances with 10 strikeouts and one walk dating back to Aug. 20.

Alexy was called up from Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.

Alexy will serve as the Rangers' 29th man for Monday's split doubleheader with the Marlins. The right-hander has appeared in three games this season, surrendering five runs on nine hits and six walks while striking out five over 6.2 innings. Alexy will likely return to Round Rock following Monday's contests.

Leclerc gave up one walk and struck out two in a scoreless appearance to earn the save in a 4-1 victory over the Blue Jays on Sunday.

Leclerc didn't have the most efficient outing as he needed 24 pitches to retire the side. However, he got the job done and ultimately only allowed one baserunner before striking out Vladimir Guerrero to close out the victory and pick up his fourth save of the season. All four of Leclerc's saves have come since Aug. 14 and he has only given up an earned run or more in two appearances over that stretch.

Yarbrough covered five scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Sunday's 10-4 loss to the Yankees. He struck out three and gave up two hits while issuing no walks.

Coming into the day, Yarbrough hadn't been expected to pitch, but the Rays needed him to mop up after starter Luis Patino recorded just four outs before departing. Even though Yarbrough was excellent in long relief, his performance didn't mean much since he entered the contest with the Rays already trailing by nine runs. Yarbrough will likely be deployed as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen or as a starter at some point during next weekend's series with the Rangers.

The Rays plan to select Criswell's contract from Triple-A Durham to have him start Monday's game in Toronto, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Monday likely would have been Ryan Yarbrough's day to pitch, but he was needed to cover five innings in long relief during Sunday's 10-4 loss to the Yankees after starter Luis Patino coughed up nine earned runs while recording just four outs before departing the contest. As a result, the Rays will turn to Criswell to make his team debut Monday in what could end up being a brief stint in the big leagues. Since being claimed off waivers from the Angels in mid-July and outrighted off the 40-man roster a few days later, Criswell has been pitching 3-to-4 innings in his starts with Durham. Over 27.1 total innings with the affiliate this season, Criswell has produced a 3.95 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 22:5 K:BB.

Pilkington is scheduled to start Monday's series opener against the Angels at Progressive Field.

Since getting called up from Triple-A Columbus just over a week ago, Pilkington has made only one two-inning relief appearance for Cleveland, but he'll get the chance to join the rotation while Zach Plesac (hand) and Aaron Civale (forearm) are on the injured list. Though Pilkington was a full-time starter at Columbus and previously made nine starts for Cleveland earlier this season, he may not be counted on to work more than 4-to-5 innings Monday as the Guardians aim to optimize his performance. Long reliever Kirk McCarty could be called upon to piggyback Pilkington, if the Guardians elect to go that route.