MLB Player News

Alexander will remain in the rotation and serve as a traditional starter Friday in Cincinnati, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The Tigers deployed Alexander as a bulk reliever Aug. 28, when Jose Urena was reinstated from the 10-day injured list to start the contest. With Urena having since made a relief appearance Wednesday, Alexander looks on track to fill a normal starting role moving forward. Before the relief appearance his last time out, Alexander had worked at least five innings in each of his prior three starts.

Clase picked up the save Thursday against the Royals after allowing one run on two hits across one inning. He didn't strike out or walk anyone.

Clase ended a streak of 20 straight scoreless appearances that dated back to July 17, but he still got the job done. He's been perfect in nine straight save opportunities and has gone 20-for-24 on the year while also posting career-best numbers in both ERA (1.54) and WHIP (1.03) across 60 appearances (58.1 innings).

Anderson (elbow) has fired two perfect innings over his last two rehab outings for Triple-A Durham, recording three strikeouts.

The right-hander actually has three consecutive flawless efforts overall with the Bulls dating back to Saturday, his best stretch of pitching yet during his extensive rehab assignment. The team's official site notes manager Kevin Cash received an encouraging report from Durham skipper Brady Williams in recent days regarding Anderson, with the reliever's improving velocity particularly standing out to Williams. Given his recent form, Anderson could well be on the cusp of a long-awaited activation.

Yacabonis cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.

Yacabonis was designated for assignment by the Mariners earlier in the week, and he'll remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. He'll head to Tacoma, where he has a 1.72 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 29:9 K:BB across 31.1 innings this season.

Trivino (back) is expected to be available for Thursday's game against the Tigers, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle

Manager Bob Melvin revealed Wednesday that Trivino has been dealing with back spasms recently, but he's apparently feeling better and should be available out of the bullpen. The right-hander has struggled across his last three appearances and has allowed six runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three in 2.1 innings during that time.

Sewald tossed a four-out save Wednesday in a 1-0 win over the Astros. He allowed two hits and had three strikeouts and zero walks.

Sewald relieved Drew Steckenrider with two on and two out in the eighth and struck out Carlos Correa to escape the inning. Sewald gave up two one-out singles in the ninth but finished with a flyout and a strikeout to earn his eighth save of the year and his fourth since Aug. 17. He and Steckenrider have alternated picking up the last four saves for the Mariners, and the ninth-inning scenario could become even more cloudy with Diego Castillo (shoulder) set to return over the weekend. Regardless, Sewald has been fantastic this season, pitching to a 2.45 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 79:13 K:BB over 47.2 innings.

Kowar did not factor in the decision against Cleveland on Wednesday, pitching six innings and allowing two earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out six.

The rookie right-hander posted an ugly 18.00 ERA across three outings earlier this season, but he looked like a different pitcher after being called up to start Wednesday. Kowar allowed only two hits through four scoreless innings before a two-out error led to a pair of fifth-inning runs, but he bounced back with a scoreless sixth frame, retiring his final two batters of the night via strikeout. The strong performance could earn Kowar another turn in the rotation, a scenario made more likely with Jakob Junis (shoulder) landing on the injured list Wednesday.

Stephan earned the save over the Royals on Wednesday by striking out two batters in a perfect 11th inning.

Regular starter Emmanuel Clase was deployed in the ninth inning of a tie game, leaving Stephan to close things out with a two-run lead in the 11th. He did so with ease, retiring Andrew Benintendi on a flyout before striking out the final two batters he faced. Stephan has mostly worked in long relief this season, having logged a combined 7.2 innings over his previous three appearances. He'll likely return to that role moving forward.

Hendriks was called upon to get the final five outs in Wednesday's victory over the Pirates, allowing no runs on one hit while registering two strikeouts.

The closer has now collected a save in consecutive nights and his season total is up to 31. It was his third five-out save in his last six appearances as he has proven to be very versatile at the back end of the White Sox bullpen. In his last seven outings he has a 1.00 ERA and 0.67 WHIP with 12 strikeouts over nine innings pitched.

Manager Tony La Russa said Kimbrel was unavailable for Wednesday's win over the Pirates due to an unspecified physical issue, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

La Russa specified that it's not an arm injury, and it appears to be a minor concern since Kimbrel is expected to be available for Friday's series opener in Kansas City. Liam Hendriks was called upon for a five-out save Wednesday with Kimbrel unavailable.