MLB Player News

Leclerc struck out two in a perfect ninth inning to record his fifth save of the season during a 3-2 win over the Marlins in the first game of Monday's doubleheader.

The right-hander fired nine of 11 pitches for strikes as he converted his third save chance in his last four appearances. Leclerc seems to be the Rangers' preferred closing option right now, as Jonathan Hernandez entered the game in the seventh inning, and he's earned the role with a 1.93 ERA and 33:11 K:BB through 28 innings since the All-Star break.

Miller was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.

After Miller was selected from Triple-A on Sunday, he will head back to Round Rock on Monday without appearing in a game for the Rangers. The move frees up a roster spot for fellow pitcher Jon Gray (oblique) to return from the 15-day injured list.

Otto didn't factor into the decision in a 3-2 win over the Marlins in the first game of Monday's doubleheader, giving up two runs on three hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out two.

The right-hander exited the game in line for his ninth loss of the year, but the Rangers' offense got going in the seventh inning. The quality start was Otto's sixth of the season, but three of them have come in eight outings since the beginning of August, a stretch during which he sports a 3.37 ERA and 33:20 K:BB through 42.2 innings.

Alexander won't make a start this week while the Tigers temporarily move to a four-man rotation, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

With an off day on the schedule Thursday, the Tigers will skip Alexander's turn before likely slotting him back into the rotation when a fifth starter is next needed Sept. 20 in Baltimore. In lieu of the start this week, Alexander will throw an extra side session to stay stretched out, and it's possible that he'll be available in long relief for this weekend's series with the White Sox if needed. The Tigers' decision to bypass Alexander's spot in the rotation this week comes after he allowed four earned runs across five innings in a losing effort Sunday in Kansas City. Alexander owns a 10.06 ERA and 1.82 WHIP in 17 innings over his last four starts.

May (illness) said he expects to return from the COVID-19 injured list Monday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

May noted that he didn't experience any major symptoms since being deactivated Sept. 3, but he took longer than anticipated to clear the necessary protocols. Though the right-hander didn't head out on a minor-league rehab assignment, he should be ready to help out the New York bullpen right away since he was able to do some throwing on his own while isolating at home.

Rodriguez (neck) was used in relief in Friday's 6-3 loss to the Marlins, retiring one of the five batters he faced while allowing two earned runs on two hits and two walks.

Though he wasn't sharp Friday, Rodriguez at least appears to have moved past the stiff neck that kept him unavailable for a few games early last week. Rodriguez takes a 5.31 ERA and 1.60 WHIP for the season into Monday's series opener with the Cubs.

The Rays selected Herget's contract from Triple-A Durham on Monday.

He'll provide the Rays with some reinforcement in the bullpen for their four-game series in Toronto with Brooks Raley (personal) unavailable after landing on the restricted list and with Ryan Yarbrough likely down for the next few days following a five-inning relief appearance in Sunday's loss to the Yankees. Herget has primarily served as a starter for Durham this season, logging a 2.55 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 92:14 K:BB across 91.2 innings.

The Rays selected Guerra from Triple-A Durham on Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Guerra will provide depth in the bullpen during this week's four-game series in Toronto-and possibly beyond-in his first big-league stint since early July. The righty has a 10.80 ERA in 8.1 MLB innings this season and has yielded four earned runs in his last three minor-league innings, suggesting he won't see any high-leverage work while with the Rays.

The Rays selected Criswell's contract from Triple-A Durham ahead of his scheduled start Monday in Toronto.

Since Criswell has pitched exactly between three and four innings in each of his eight outings with Durham since he was claimed off waivers from the Angels in July, the Rays likely won't ask him to pitch more than twice through the order in his 2022 MLB debut. Criswell, who owns a 3.95 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 27.1 innings with Durham, will likely be sent back to Triple-A following the spot start.

The Rays placed Raley on the restricted list prior to their series in Toronto, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Due to his vaccination status, Raley will miss the Rays' entire four-game set in Toronto before returning to the active roster Friday. The lefty has strung together eight scoreless appearances with 10 strikeouts and one walk dating back to Aug. 20.