MLB Player News

King is slated to start Tuesday's game against the Tigers at Comerica Park, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

While making his second "start" of the season his last time out Thursday versus the Nationals, King operated as more of an opener in front of Jhony Brito. King covered 2.2 innings, allowing one unearned run on one hit and two walks while striking out three. The Yankees could have King work a little deeper into his start Tuesday, though the right-hander is still unlikely to hit the five innings he would need to qualify for a win. Unless Brito is needed in relief in Monday's series opener, he could once again following King in Tuesday's contest.

The Blue Jays are optimistic that Swanson (spine) will be in store for an abbreviated stay on the 15-day injured list, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Swanson landed on the IL on Sunday with thoracic spine inflammation, an injury that cropped up a day earlier in his relief appearance against the Guardians. While Swanson may still face an uphill battle to be ready to return from the IL when first eligible Sept. 11, the Blue Jays expect that he'll be cleared to start throwing again following a 10-day shutdown period. A precise target date for his return would then be established based on how his spine responds after he gradually ramps up the intensity of his throwing.

Mejia (shoulder) reported to the Brewers' spring training facility in Arizona on Sunday to continue workouts, MLB.com reports.

Mejia had been shut down for about two weeks after landing on the 15-day injured list Aug. 15 with right shoulder inflammation, but he looks set to begin a throwing program this week. He'll likely need to complete a rehab assignment before being activated from the IL, so Mejia presumably won't be a realistic option for the Milwaukee bullpen for at least a couple more weeks.

Alexander (7-2) allowed two runs on three hits and a walk over 1.1 innings, earning the win Sunday over Atlanta.

The left-hander entered after Tristan Beck was pulled in the fifth inning. Alexander allowed an inherited runner to score in that frame and gave up a two-run home run to Marcell Ozuna in the sixth, but the Giants were able to hold the lead the rest of the way. Through 47 appearances, including seven as an opener, Alexander has a 4.46 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 24:11 K:BB over 40.1 innings. He's been particularly shaky in August with a 9.35 ERA and 2.65 WHIP over 8.2 innings this month, so it's unlikely he sees much late-inning work over the final month-plus of the campaign.

Neal is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Mariners in Seattle.

The right-hander will get another turn through the rotation after he picked up his first big-league win since 2016 while holding the White Sox to four runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks over five innings in his first start of the season Aug. 25. Though his outing against the White Sox was enough to earn him a second straight start, Neal may not have much staying power in the Oakland rotation if his performance takes a step back in Seattle. The Athletics could get star rookie Mason Miller (elbow) back from the 60-day injured list in early September, and Neal could be one of the Oakland starters most at risk of losing his rotation spot as a result.

Wilson (6-0) tossed four scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's 10-6 victory over the Padres. He allowed two hits and posted a 4:1 K:BB in the outing.

Wilson was summoned after starter Adrian Houser (forearm) left the game after two frames, and he was exceptional, keeping the opponent off the scoreboard and allowing the Brewers to turn a three-run deficit into a comfortable lead. Wilson is seemingly not be a candidate to replace Houser, and that's mainly because he has been so good in his multi-inning relief role, posting a 2.95 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 64 innings out of the bullpen.

Megill threw two scoreless innings in Sunday's 10-6 victory over the Padres. He allowed three hits, struck out five batters and walked none.

Megill was tasked with getting the final six outs with the Brewers holding a four-run lead heading into the eighth inning, and he delivered despite giving up a trio of hits. He does not occupy a key role in Milwaukee's bullpen, but he has been as stingy as they come since being recalled from Triple-A Nashville in mid-August, tossing 7.1 scoreless innings while posting a 0.68 WHIP and 13:0 K:BB over six appearances.

Ottavino (1-4) picked up the win in Sunday's victory over the Angels, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

After dispatching the Halos' 5-6-7 hitters on 15 pitches (nine strikes) in the top of the ninth to preserve a 2-2 tie, Ottavino was rewarded when Rafael Ortega delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the frame. Ottavino has only one save in August following the trade of David Robertson, but that's more due to a lack of opportunity rather than poor performance -- the veteran righty has a 2.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP through nine innings on the month, albeit with a lackluster 7:5 K:BB.

Puk walked one and struck out two in a scoreless seventh inning Sunday to record his first hold of the season in a win over the Nationals.

The Marlins removed David Robertson from the closer role this weekend, just as they did with Puk about a month ago, but rather than turn back to the southpaw in the ninth, Tanner Scott got the save chance Sunday and converted it. Puk has regained his form, however -- over 10 appearances since his last blown save July 30, he's posted a 0.93 ERA, 0.52 WHIP and 16:1 K:BB through 9.2 innings. Should Scott falter down the stretch, Puk could get another chance to close for Miami before the season is done.

Scott earned his third save of the season Sunday after pitching a scoreless ninth inning to beat the Nationals 2-1. He allowed two hits and did not walk or strike out a batter.

Reports earlier in the day Sunday surfaced that trade deadline acquisition David Robertson was being removed from the closer role, leaving Scott as the likely candidate to take over as the team's new closer. Despite pitching Saturday as well, Scott's name was called to handle things in the ninth. He allowed two singles but got Jacob Young to ground into a double play to end the game. Scott has now posted nine straight scoreless outings dating back to Aug. 2 and is having a fantastic year with a 2.55 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 83:23 K:BB in 60 innings.