MLB Player News

Leclerc allowed one hit while striking out three over an inning in Saturday's 7-4 loss to the Twins.

Leclerc raised his strikeout percentage to 36.4, which ranks 11th among all relievers. The right-hander, who pitched for the first time in four days and needed 30 pitches, is scheduled to open Sunday's game and will have a few bullets left but probably won't go more than one inning.

Soto will serve as the opener Sunday against the Red Sox, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Soto threw 24 pitches out of the bullpen Friday and won't be asked to deliver a starter's workload in Sunday's series finale. The Tigers likely have a flexible pitching plan as they finish the season's first half with a bullpen day.

Manaea (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment Monday at High-A Stockton, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Manaea was briefly shut down in June due to an oblique issue, but he was able to resume throwing quickly and is now in the final stage of his rehab work. The 27-year-old has been on the injured list all season after undergoing shoulder surgery last September and will likely require multiple appearances in the minors to get back up to speed.

Alvarado (oblique) is expected to miss 2-to-6 weeks depending on the results of his MRI, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Alvarado left Saturday's game against the Yankees with a strained right oblique. Emilio Pagan looks to be the primary ninth-inning option in his absence, though Diego Castillo could be back from a shoulder injury soon after the break.

Alvarado left Saturday's game against the Yankees with a strained oblique, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic reports.

It's not yet clear if the injury is serious enough to require a trip to the injured list, but it would be a surprise if Alvarado didn't at least rest until after the All-Star break. He's allowed nine of 12 batters to reach base over his last two outings, possibly as a result of the injury.

Adams was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a Grade 1 right shoulder strain, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Adams allowed three runs on two hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning Wednesday, and the shoulder strain could help explain some of his struggles. The 28-year-old had given up only three hits in 12.1 innings across his previous 11 appearances. Adams has no official timetable for his return but isn't expected to face a significant absence.

Alvarado left Saturday's game against the Yankees with an apparent side injury, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

It's not clear exactly what the injury is, but Alvarado appeared to point to his side while talking to a team trainer. The lefty allowed four of his five batters to reach base in Saturday's outing after giving up six runs while recording just two outs in his previous outing Wednesday against the Orioles, so it's possible he's been dealing with a nagging injury for at least a few days.

Smeltzer will be recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday to follow opener Kyle Gibson, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Gibson will throw two innings on short rest, with Smeltzer being one of a handful of options expected to follow him. Kohl Stewart will be optioned in a corresponding move.

Rogers earned the save in a 7-4 win over the Rangers on Saturday, throwing 2.1 perfect innings while striking out five of the seven batters he faced.

Rogers has now converted 12 of his 15 save opportunities and has received the team's last seven save chances. The 28-year-old holds a 1.82 ERA, a 0.82 WHIP and a 51:7 K:BB this season and looks locked in as the Twins stopper going into the second half.

Palumbo will follow opener Jose Leclerc on Sunday against the Twins.

Previous reports held that Palumbo would start, but he'll get to avoid the toughest part of the Twins lineup the first time through before likely entering in the second inning. It may be a necessary boost for the rookie, who's allowed 11 runs in six big-league innings this season.