MLB Player News

Alexander (undisclosed) has struck out eight and allowed four earned runs on eight hits and three walks over eight innings between two appearances for Triple-A Sugar Land since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list July 30.

The 33-year-old righty was stuck on Sugar Land's IL for about six weeks due to an unspecified injury. Alexander possesses a spot on the Astros' 40-man roster, but he's unlikely to get a look in the big leagues in the near future unless Houston loses multiple starters or long relievers to injury.

Littell agreed to a one-year contract with the Diamondbacks on Sunday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

The veteran right-hander was let go by the Nationals on Friday after posting a 4.97 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 70:35 K:BB across 112.1 innings on the season. Arizona's rotation depth has been thinned out in recent weeks, but with Michael Soroka (glute) poised to come off the injured list Monday, the Diamondbacks may not have a spot available for Littell. With that in mind, Littell could have to settle for a long-relief role to begin his time in Arizona.

The Rays placed Jax (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Sunday.

Jax was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday versus the Mariners due to right elbow discomfort, so the move to the injured list isn't much of a surprise. The Rays are still looking to find more information regarding the severity injury, as Jax is scheduled to meet with a doctor in Dallas on Wednesday for a second opinion, per Ryan Bass of Rays.tv. The 31-year-old will be eligible to be reinstated Aug. 21, though a longer absence could be in store given the nature of the injury.

Harrison (calves) is listed as the Brewers' probable starting pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Padres, Hunter Baumgardt of Fox Sports 920 Milwaukee reports.

The left-hander departed his previous start Wednesday versus Pittsburgh after striking out 10 across five scoreless frames due to bilateral calf cramps, but he's ready to take his next turn through the rotation. That start was Harrison's first following a month-long absence due to forearm issues, so the club may be cautious with his workload for his next couple of outings.

The Rangers transferred Leiter (ankle) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

The right-hander has been on the shelf since mid-June, so the move to the 60-day IL isn't expected to affect his return timeline. Leiter threw 33 pitches over two innings of live batting practice Saturday and is set to throw a bullpen session Monday, per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. According to Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com, if Monday's side session goes well, Leiter will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Frisco on Thursday and will be slated to throw 2-to-3 innings.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Sunday that Schmidt (elbow) has resumed playing catch without issue and should get back on a mound in the "next couple days," Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Working his way back from July 2025 internal brace surgery, Schmidt threw two innings of live batting practice Tuesday but wasn't able to cover a third inning as planned when his forearm cramped up on him. Fortunately for Schmidt, he appears to have steered clear of any sort of major setback, given that he was cleared to start playing catch after a few days of rest. Assuming he's able to make it through his next bullpen session without issue, Schmidt could be ready to face live hitters again by the end of the week.

The Phillies recalled Rangel from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

Rangel will provide the Phillies with some extra bullpen coverage in Sunday's series finale versus the Blue Jays, but if he isn't needed for that contest, he could be an option to make a spot start. Andrew Painter (hamstring) and Aaron Nola (knee) each exited their most recent starts early, though both are tentatively in line to take their next turns through the rotation.

Leiter (ankle) threw two innings and 33 pitches of live batting practice Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Leiter, who also got in some pitcher fielding practice following the session, feels he's ready for a rehab assignment, but the Rangers have made no decision about that. The right-hander has thrown two live batting practice sessions as he works his way back from right ankle surgery.

Williamson (shoulder) will make his next rehab start at Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Williamson, who began a rehab assignment last week with a two-inning outing for Double-A Chattanooga, will be making his third rehab start and second for Louisville. He'll be targeting around 60 pitches in Tuesday's outing, after he allowed four runs on two hits and two walks while recording two outs his last time out for Louisville.

Rea allowed two runs on four hits and two walks across four innings of relief in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Royals.

This was Rea's first relief appearance since getting skipped in the rotation following Chicago's acquisition of Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes before the trade deadline. Holmes made his team debut Saturday and was shaky in his four innings of work, allowing fours runs on six hits and two walks. It was also his first appearance in nearly two months due to a fractured fibula, so he likely just needs to shake off a little rust. That should leave Rea in a bullpen role for now, though he is capable of starting if a need arises.