MLB Player News

The Astros optioned Alexander to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday.

Alexander's stay with Houston lasted just one day, as the right-hander was summoned from Triple-A to serve as the 27th man for the Astros' twin bill with the Orioles. He came on in relief in the first game of the twin bill, striking out one and allowing five earned runs on two hits and three walks over two innings in the Astros' 10-3 loss.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said that Gipson-Long was scratched ahead of his scheduled start Friday with Triple-A Toledo due to undisclosed discomfort, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Hinch didn't provide many specifics on the nature of the issue beyond noting that Gipson-Long is "not 100 percent" and will be shut down. Toledo has yet to place the right-hander on its 7-day injured list, though that transaction could be made in the coming days. The timing of the injury is unfortunate, as Gipson-Long may have been in the mix for a call-up after Casey Mize (adductor) recently joined Justin Verlander (hip) on the IL. Gipson-Long has submitted a 4.86 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB in 16.2 innings through his four starts for Toledo this season.

Teng collected his third hold of the season Saturday, striking out two and allowing no hits and one walk over 1.1 scoreless innings of relief in a 6-3 win over the Red Sox.

Teng made a three-inning start in his previous appearance Tuesday, but despite a doubleheader Thursday that created a need for a temporary six-man rotation, the right-hander ended up moving back to the bullpen. He's been a standout for the Astros this season, logging a 2.00 ERA and holding batters to a .145 batting average over 18 relief innings.

Springs (hip) is listed as the Athletics' probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

Though Springs was lifted after three innings during his most recent start Thursday after experiencing right hip soreness, Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said afterward that the southpaw was removed merely as a precaution. The skipper added that he didn't expect Springs to miss a start, and the 33-year-old looks like he'll be ready to go for his next turn through the rotation. He'll head into Wednesday's outing with a 3-2 record, 3.06 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 35:12 K:BB through 38.2 innings over seven starts.

Detmers did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Mets, allowing three runs on nine hits and no walks with eight strikeouts over 6.1 innings.

Detmers cruised through six innings and entered the seventh with a 3-1 lead before allowing two runs on five hits and departing with the bases loaded. It still goes down as a quality start for the southpaw, who threw 68 of 95 pitches for strikes with 16 whiffs and has now worked into the seventh frame four times in seven outings. He'll carry a 4.28 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 44:9 K:BB across 40 innings into a road matchup against the Blue Jays next weekend.

Lugo did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Mariners, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks with six strikeouts over six innings.

Lugo allowed runs in the first and fifth innings, throwing 66 of 103 pitches for strikes while limiting the Mariners to just one extra-base hit. It was a much-needed rebound effort after the 36-year-old surrendered seven earned runs last Sunday, and he's now delivered five quality starts in seven outings this season. He'll carry a 2.68 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 37:13 K:BB across 43.2 innings into a home matchup against the Guardians next week.

Hancock did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Royals, allowing one run on six hits and no walks while striking out 14 over six innings.

Hancock dazzled, generating a whopping 21 swinging strikes on 103 pitches while setting a career high with 14 strikeouts. It's the most punchouts by any pitcher so far in 2026, and the 26-year-old has now gone at least five innings while yielding three earned runs or fewer in each of his seven outings to open the year. He'll carry a 2.59 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 46:6 K:BB across 41.2 innings into a road matchup against the White Sox next weekend.

Montero (2-2) earned the win Saturday against the Rangers, allowing one run on five hits and two walks in 6.2 innings. He struck out two.

Montero turned in his longest outing of the season Saturday, but he did fan a season-low four. The right-hander has been a steady presence in Detroit's rotation so far this year, working at least five innings in five consecutive starts, but he hasn't yet reached the 90-pitch marker in any of his six appearances. Montero will take a quality 3.48 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 25:7 K:BB over 33.2 innings into his next scheduled outing in Kansas City.

Cecconi (1-4) picked up the win Saturday, giving up five runs on 10 hits over 5.1 innings in a 14-6 rout of the A's. He struck out three without walking a batter.

The right-hander served up a pair of homers to Shea Langeliers to account for most of the damage against him, but Cleveland's offense dominated from the fifth inning onward to get Cecconi into the win column. Cecconi's been tagged for at least four earned runs in three straight starts and five of seven this season, saddling him with a 6.56 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 28:13 K:BB through 35.2 innings. As yet, there's been no suggestion his rotation spot is in jeopardy, but he made need to turn things around soon to avoid getting bumped. Cecconi lines up to make his next start on the road next week in Kansas City.

Early (2-2) took the loss against the Astros on Saturday, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three across four innings.

Early started out slowly by yielding one run on three baserunners in the first inning. He kept the Astros off the board over the next two frames but was tagged with four runs in the fourth, highlighted by a three-run long ball by Brice Matthews. It was the first time this season (in seven starts) that Early gave up more than three earned runs, and he now sits at a 3.79 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 31:17 K:BB across 35.2 innings. He's slated to start next week at home against the Rays.