MLB Player News

The Rangers recalled Alexy from Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

Alexy made all five of his appearances with the Rangers in 2021 as a starter or primary pitcher out of the bullpen, but after failing to find much success out of the Round Rock rotation earlier this season, he was recently moved into a relief role. The 24-year-old right-hander is thus in line to join the Rangers as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen, though manager Chris Woodward is unlikely to immediately entrust Alexy with high-leverage work.

Fleming said Wednesday that he's dealing with low-to-medium-grade oblique strain and could be about a month away from returning to game action, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Fleming said he expects to rest up for the next 2-to-3 weeks before starting a throwing progression, which will likely add at least another two weeks to his total time on the 15-day injured list. The 26-year-old southpaw had been working as a bulk reliever for the Rays when he suffered the injury Monday, but Tampa Bay may not have a spot available for him in the big-league rotation once he's healthy. Both Luis Patino (oblique) and Jeffrey Springs (lower leg) are likely to beat Fleming back from the IL.

The Guardians optioned Pilkington to Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday.

As anticipated, Pilkington was moved back to the minors one day after the Guardians designated him as the 27th man for their doubleheader with the White Sox. He started the second game of the twin bill and took the loss after surrendering four runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk while striking out three over five innings.

Swanson will serve as the opener for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Nationals, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Swanson hasn't pitched since being activated from the paternity list Monday, but he'll begin Wednesday's nightcap on the mound ahead of primary pitcher Tommy Milone. Over his last 10 appearances, Swanson has posted an 11:4 K:BB and 1.04 WHIP in 8.2 scoreless innings.

Iglesias (2-6) took the loss against Houston on Tuesday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out one over one inning. His velocity has been down recently, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

The veteran closer was brought in with the score tied in the top of the ninth inning. He immediately found himself in trouble, allowing a walk and a single to the first two batters he faced. Kyle Tucker followed with a run-scoring double, and though the Astros were unable to tally any more runs in the frame, the damage was enough to send Iglesias to his sixth loss of the campaign. This was the third straight outing in which Iglesias has given up at least one run, and he is 0-2 with a blown save and a 2:3 K:BB across 2.2 innings over that span. Manager Phil Nevin acknowledged that Iglesias' recent velocity drop is "a little bit of a concern," though Nevin also noted that Iglesias will remain the closer, per Blum.

Morris (shoulder) began a rehab assignment Tuesday with the Guardians' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate, working a scoreless inning and striking out two.

Morris has been sidelined since late in spring training with a strained right shoulder, which resulted in him being placed on the Guardians' 60-day injured list since he was added to the 40-man roster over the winter. As a result of the lengthy layoff, Morris will likely build up slowly in the lower levels of the minors before advancing to Triple-A Columbus at the end of his 30-day rehab window. Though Morris is regarding as one of the Guardians' top pitching prospects, the big club isn't expected to have a rotation spot available for him once he's back to full health, so he'll presumably be optioned to Columbus upon being activated from the IL.

Strahm (wrist) underwent X-rays that came back negative, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Strahm was hit by a comebacker on his left wrist Tuesday against the Rays, but he isn't dealing with any structural damage following the matchup. It's not yet clear whether he'll be available out of the bullpen for Wednesday's game in Tampa Bay, but he should tentatively be considered day-to-day.

Moran struck out a batter and worked around a hit over 1.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Brewers before he was lifted from the contest with a bruised right calf, Dave Campbell of the Associated Press reports.

The injury is considered a minor concern and doesn't look to be anything that will keep Moran unavailable for more than a day or two. The 25-year-old lefty lowered his season ERA to 1.13 with the scoreless showing Tuesday.

The Twins optioned Winder to Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Winder's demotion comes after he was saddled with his third loss of the season Tuesday against the Brewers, who blasted him for five earned runs on four hits and two walks over five innings. A solid showing versus Milwaukee would have set the stage for Winder to make his second start of the week Sunday against the White Sox, but Chris Archer (hip) now appears likely to be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Minnesota's final game before the All-Star break.

Pilkington (1-2) took the loss in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the White Sox, giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out three.

Two of the hits off Pilkington left the yard, as Jose Abreu homered in the first inning and Josh Harrison in the second. The southpaw was serving as Cleveland's 27th man for the twin bill and will likely be headed back to Triple-A Columbus, as his 4.24 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 37:21 K:BB through 40.1 innings in the majors don't make a strong case for a regular spot on the Guardians' staff.