MLB Player News

Alexander will serve as the Giants' opening pitcher Friday versus the Rangers, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Ross Stripling had been projected to start, but he'll instead likely operate in bulk relief. This is the sixth opener assignment of the year for Alexander, who has posted an overall 4.01 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB across 33.2 innings (40 appearances) this season with San Francisco.

The White Sox claimed Garcia off waivers from the Yankees on Thursday, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Garcia didn't figure to make it through waivers once the Yankees designated him for assignment and, sure enough, he gets scooped up by one of the higher waiver priorities. The 24-year-old has seen his star fade since he was a top-100 prospect, but he's a worthwhile reclamation project. Garcia has minor-league options left and presumably will report to Triple-A Charlotte for now.

Assad is scheduled to start Friday's game in Toronto, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

After making what was expected to be a spot start in place of the injured Marcus Stroman (hip) last weekend versus Atlanta, Assad will end up sticking around in the rotation for at least one more turn as a replacement for Drew Smyly, who has been moved to the bullpen. Assad has worked exactly 3.2 frames in both of his last two outings, so the right-hander should be stretched out enough to reach five innings Friday and qualify for the win. The Cubs have a pair of off days next week, so Assad would seem likely to have his next turn in the rotation skipped following Friday's start.

Beeks was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Beeks opened a bullpen game for the Rays in Wednesday's loss to the Cardinals, yielding two runs over two innings of work. He's being sent out in favor of a fresh arm.

Criswell was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Criswell has posted a 5.04 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in 25 innings this season at the major-league level, but he'll give the Rays a fresh bullpen arm as Wednesday's opener Jalen Beeks heads back to the farm.

Ferguson (6-3) earned the win over the Diamondbacks on Wednesday with a perfect inning in relief.

The game was scoreless through six frames, but Dodgers starter Bobby Miller opened the seventh by allowing the first two batters he faced to reach base. Ferguson took over and quickly stamped out the threat, making a nifty diving catch on an attempted sacrifice bunt and doubling the runner off second. He then retired Corbin Carroll to end the inning, and Ferguson took the win as a result of Los Angeles scoring two runs in the bottom of the frame. The southpaw has been a key piece of the team's bullpen this season, collecting six wins, 14 holds and two saves while posting a 2.91 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 52:20 K:BB over 43.1 innings.

Kranick (elbow) is on track to begin a rehab assignment early next week with Low-A Bradenton, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Kranick is over 14 months removed from Tommy John surgery and should be an option for Pittsburgh's pitching staff around the beginning of September if all goes well on the farm. It's not yet clear whether the Pirates plan to bring him back as a starter or reliever. They could use help in either area of the depth chart.

Krehbiel was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

He was just sent down Wednesday but returns a day later to replace the injured Danny Coulombe (biceps). Krehbiel has made two scoreless appearances in the big leagues this season.

Coulombe was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday with left biceps tendinitis.

It's a blow to the Orioles' bullpen, as Coulombe has been excellent with a 2.77 ERA and 48:9 K:BB over 39 innings. The hope is that he'll be ready to go when his 15 days are up, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.Joey Krehbiel will take Coulombe's roster spot.

Jansen gave up a solo home run while walking one and striking out one in the ninth inning Wednesday to record his 25th save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Royals.

Freddy Fermin's one-out blast over the Green Monster made things nervous for Boston, but Jansen got a break after walking Edward Olivares when pinch runner Dairon Blanco got caught stealing second. It's Jansen's 16th straight successful save conversion, with his last blown save coming May 13, and he's now reached 25 for the 11th straight full season, not counting the 2020 pandemic campaign. With 416 saves for his career, Jansen is six behind Billy Wagner for sixth place on the all-time list, and eight behind John Franco for a spot in the top five.