MLB Player News

Alexander will open a bullpen game in the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader against the Twins, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

It will be the third start of 2021 for Alexander, who has a 4.31 ERA and 36:10 K:BB in 39.2 innings of work this season. The lefty only figures to last an inning or two before turning things over to the bullpen to get through the seven-inning contest.

Fulmer (neck) will throw a bullpen session this weekend before progressing to live batting practice, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Manager AJ Hinch said the righty could begin a rehab assignment if all goes well with the upcoming throwing sessions. Fulmer, who has been sidelined since June 27 with a neck strain, had carved out a late-inning relief role for himself before the injury and figures to rejoin the bullpen in a similar capacity once activated from the injured list.

King (shoulder) may begin a throwing program this weekend.

King was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to July 7, but manager Chris Woodward said the pitcher will "maybe pick up a ball" by Saturday or Sunday. At the time of the IL move, the Rangers were hoping he'd return shortly after the All-Star break, but it looks unlikely King will be ready for the first post-break turn of the rotation. "All reports are that he feels good, his arm feels good," Woodward said. "But we won't know until he actually picks up a baseball and throws it." The left-hander has been working as a tandem starter along with Dane Dunning, but the goal is to build up his pitch count to the point where he could become a traditional starter.

The Twins transferred Smeltzer (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Friday.

The move is simply procedural, as the Twins needed a roster spot to add Saturday's starter Charlie Barnes to the 40-man roster. Smeltzer, who began a rehab assignment June 28, is still expected back from left elbow inflammation around the end of July.

Bummer allowed four runs on two hits, one walk and two wild pitches over two-thirds of an inning in Friday's 7-1 loss to the Astros.

Bummer, who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Friday, had issues with control and threw 29 pitches without finishing the inning. On the plus side, he hit 96.3 mph.

Staumont (1-2) pitched a perfect inning and struck out two, earning the win Friday versus Baltimore.

Staumont worked the sixth inning and was awarded the win after starter Danny Duffy was removed as a precaution after four innings. Through 35.2 innings this year, Staumont has a 3.53 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 41:18 K:BB. He's added five saves and three holds, but he hasn't picked up a save since May 19, as manager Mike Matheny seems to prefer Greg Holland for closing duties.

Valdez allowed three hits and struck out two over three innings in Friday's 9-2 loss to Kansas City.

Valdez was utilized in a long-relief capacity after starter Keegan Akin struggled through three innings. This was Valdez's first scoreless outing since June 9, although he missed time with a lower-back strain during that span. It's unclear what kind of role the right-hander will have going forward -- he's logged eight saves this season but none since May 10. He's posted a 6.25 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB across 31.2 innings overall.

Akin (0-5) took the loss against Kansas City on Friday, completing three innings and allowing six runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out two.

The Royals put at least one run on the board in each of Akin's three frames, and they crossed the plate four times in a big second inning. The southpaw needed 74 pitches to retire nine batters, and he has now given up at least four earned runs in each of his past seven outings. Given his 8.19 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and paltry 21.5 strikeout percentage, he doesn't carry much fantasy appeal. Akin is tentatively slated to next face Washington at home next Friday.

Clase (3-5) suffered the loss and blown save in Friday's 5-4 loss to Oakland, allowing two hits and two runs in one third of an inning.

Clase entered in the ninth protecting a one-run lead and surrendered a leadoff single to Elvis Andrus followed by a Jed Lowrie walk-off home run two batters later for his third straight blown save and third loss in four appearances. The 23-year-old righty has now allowed five runs in his last 3.1 innings, though his ERA still sits at 2.19 on the season.

Morgan threw five innings in a 5-4 loss to the Athletics on Friday, allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk with six strikeouts. He didn't factor into the decision.

Morgan's problem inning was a two-run third, when he allowed three hits, and the rookie also surrendered a single run in the third on a Mitch Moreland homer. The start was only his third allowing three runs or less in six turns, and the five innings matched a career high, though both benchmarks are a bit uninspiring. He currently lines up to pitch in Houston on Wednesday.