MLB Player News

Jurado (6-7) allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out five across seven innings to take the loss in the first game of a doubleheader Wednesday against the Indians.

Jurado's lone blemish came in his final frame when he was taken deep for a two-run home run by Jose Ramirez. Otherwise, he contained the Indians' offense by holding them hitless through 4.2 innings and allowing only one extra-base hit. Jurado has had an up and down season, though he has now worked seven innings in two of his past three starts. Overall, he's managed a 4.74 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with 69 strikeouts across 93 innings for the campaign. He'll draw his next start Monday at Toronto.

Alexander (0-3) allowed five runs (four earned) on nine hits and a walk while striking out six across 4.1 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the White Sox.

Alexander struggled throughout the start, allowing at least one earned run in four of the innings that he appeared. He was ultimately ousted in the fifth inning when he allowed three of the first four batters he faced to reach base, resulting in the final two earned runs charged against him crossing the plate. On the brighter side, he did manage six punchouts and now has a 24:3 K:BB across 26.1 innings this season. His ratios are less impressive, as he's posted a 5.13 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. Alexander will draw his next start Tuesday against the Mariners.

Giles allowed two earned runs on three hits while striking out two across an inning to earn the save Wednesday against the Rays.

Giles was able to hold onto a three-run lead to earn his 15th save of the season, but he was unconvincing in doing so. After retiring the leadoff hitter, Giles allowed a single followed by a two-run home run by Mike Zunino to trim the lead to one. He was able to strike out two of the final three batters he faced to close the game, though it was the first time since April 11 that he allowed multiple earned runs in an outing. Given his strong 1.95 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 61 strikeouts across 37 innings, there's no major reason for concern unless it becomes apparent that his recent return from an elbow injury was premature.

Stewart (1-0) allowed two hits and two walks while striking out three across four scoreless innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Rays.

Stewart worked as the primary pitcher behind opener Wilmer Font and fared well, holding the Rays without an extra-base hit to avoid serious trouble. After previously toiling in the Dodgers' minor-league system, Stewart may benefit from a change of scenery, as he's struggled for the most of both the current and 2018 campaigns. Given his strong results in Wednesday's effort, he could continue to work multiple innings at a time behind an opener.

Betances (lat) could throw off a mound Monday, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Betances threw all fastballs during a flat ground throwing session Wednesday and reported feeling good afterwards. As long as the reliever checks out OK in the coming days, it sounds like he could be cleared to resume mound work as early as next week.

Jimenez was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday.

Jimenez is likely unavailable for a few days after logging 2.1 innings in relief during Wednesday's 8-1 loss to the White Sox, so he'll head back to the minors in exchange for a fresh bullpen arm. The Tigers are expected to announce a corresponding roster move prior to Thursday's series opener against Kansas City.

Romano has been on Triple-A Buffalo's 7-day injured list since July 11 due to an oblique injury.

According to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca, Romano reported to the Blue Jays' spring training facility in Florida approximately two weeks ago to begin a throwing program. It's unclear how much progress Romano has made in his recovery to this point, as he has yet to receive clearance for a rehab assignment at a lower-level affiliate. Over 17 appearances with Buffalo this season, Romano has posted a 5.82 ERA while striking out 47 in 34 innings.

Sadzeck (elbow) underwent a non-surgical procedure in Texas earlier this week, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Divish's report labels Sadzeck's injury as a right elbow strain, which differs from the initial diagnosis of inflammation that was provided when the righty reliever first landed on the injured list June 4. Since he has yet to even graduate to mound work over the subsequent two months and is now on the mend from a minor procedure, Sadzeck seems unlikely to make it back from the 60-day IL until September, if at all.

Maton was recalled from Triple-A Columbus to serve as the 26th man for Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Rangers, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Maton will provide the Indians with an extra arm as the team goes with a bullpen game for the second half of Wednesday's twin bill. The reliever owns an unsightly 7.77 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB in 24.1 innings this season.

Ottavino worked around a base hit and struck out two over two scoreless innings to earn the save Tuesday in the Yankees' 9-4 win over the Orioles.

Ottavino put the finishing touches on the Yankees' bullpen game, retiring six of the seven hitters he faced in efficient fashion. The save was Ottavino's first of the season, a byproduct of manager Aaron Boone's preference to deploy Aroldis Chapman as a traditional closer. Ottavino still ranks among the league leaders in holds with 23 and has brought value in 5x5 formats thanks to his 1.41 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 51 innings.