MLB Player News

Lange pitched a scoreless inning of relief to earn the save in Monday's 6-4 win over the Royals. He did not allow any hits or walks.

Despite having 38 strikeouts this year in just 29.1 innings, Lange did not record any Monday, though he still managed to retire the side in order on 12 pitches. The righty is now 11-for-13 in save opportunities this season with a 3.99 ERA overall. He's struggled some lately, though, allowing two or more runs three times in just eight appearances this month. However, Lange should stick in the closer role for a Detroit team that doesn't have many other established end-game options.

Alexander (2-1) tossed two scoreless innings of relief to earn the win Monday against the Royals. He allowed one hit and one walk, while striking out four.

After a quality start from Reese Olson, Alexander worked through the seventh and eighth innings, scattering the two baserunners. It was the lefty's first win since May 3, though he's pitched fairly well lately, allowing just two earned runs over his last 13.2 innings. That's allowed Alexander to lower his ERA for the season to 4.66. He should stick in a long relief role for the Tigers, where he could vulture a few more wins, though fantasy impact may be hard to come by regularly.

Banks dropped to 0-2 after striking out three and surrendering three runs on five hits over 3.2 innings in Monday's 5-2 loss to Texas.

Though Banks was serving as the White Sox's opening pitcher of the day, he ended up working the longest of the six hurlers that manager Pedro Grifol deployed on the night. Banks gave up a run in each of the first, third and fourth innings, raising his season ERA to 4.70 across 15.1 frames. On a more positive note, he has a solid 13:2 K:BB on the campaign.

Coulombe (illness) returned to action Wednesday and has since made three appearances out of the Baltimore bullpen, allowing two earned runs on three hits and a walk while striking out one over two innings.

Coulombe went over a week without an appearance -- in part due to reportedly feeling under the weather. The 33-year-old avoided a trip to the injured list and should resume filling a middle-innings role out of the Baltimore bullpen.

Smith allowed a hit and one walk in a scoreless inning Monday, striking out one and earning a save in the Rangers' 5-2 win over the White Sox.

Smith put two runners on base to open the inning but escaped unscathed in the 5-2 victory. He's now converted nine consecutive save chances and has picked up 13 of his 14 opportunities on the year. The veteran southpaw dropped his ERA to 2.89 alongside a 31:8 K:BB through 28 frames this season.

Diaz allowed two hits in a scoreless inning Monday, striking out two and earning a save over the Rockies.

Diaz put runners on first and third with no outs but managed to lock in and finish off the 5-4 win. He's now converted all 19 of his save chances while registering a 1.80 ERA and a 52:13 K:BB through 30 innings. However, he's run into some light trouble recently, yielding two runs on four hits and two walks over his last 5.2 frames.

The Giants recalled Hjelle from Triple-A Sacramento on Monday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

With the placement of Scott Alexander (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Monday, Hjelle will be called on to replace Alexander in the bullpen. The 26-year-old righty holds a 10.13 ERA and 2.33 WHIP through 13.1 innings in the majors this season, and he's been used exclusively out of the bullpen with the Giants despite serving as a starter in Triple-A.

The Giants placed Alexander on the 15-day injured list Monday with a left hamstring strain, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Alexander was pulled from Sunday's game against the Dodgers with discomfort in his left hamstring -- an issue that has bothered him quite a bit recently. The 33-year-old lefty will now be sidelined for at least 15 days while Sean Hjelle returns from Triple-A Sacramento to take Alexander's spot in the bullpen.

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Monday that he's hopeful Hendriks (elbow) can resume a throwing program within the next week or so, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Hendriks has been given both a cortisone shot and a platelet-rich plasma injection in hopes that they will help speed along the healing process as he works his way back from right elbow inflammation. He'll need to go through a throwing progression and is presumably still multiple weeks away from a return.

Herget was designated for assignment Monday.

The Reds needed to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for Joey Votto's return from the 60-day injured list. Herget, 32, holds a career 6.21 ERA over 16 relief appearances at the big-league level.