MLB Player News

Alvarez went 0-for-2 with two walks Tuesday against the Rockies.

Alvarez made his long-awaited return from the injured list Tuesday, marking his first time in the lineup since April 28. After primarily serving as the designated hitter before his injury, Alvarez started in left field and hit fourth Tuesday. Alvarez went 7-for-15 on a rehab assignment, so rust may not be a significant issue early in his return.

Sanchez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run Tuesday against the Rockies.

Sanchez accounted for Houston's only run of the game with his 12th home run of the season. He has hit poorly overall since joining the Astros at the trade deadline, batting .230 with two homers, four RBI and 11 runs scored across 22 games. However, he's now homered in consecutive starts and has gone 8-for-14 in his last four games.

Perez tossed seven scoreless innings in Tuesday's defeat to the Royals, allowing just one hit and no walks while striking out five in seven innings. He did not factor into the decision.

Perez was brilliant, allowing just a lone base hit to Bobby Witt in the fourth. He exited with a 4-0 lead after seven strong innings and that lead wound up being squandered by the bullpen, leaving Perez without the win. Perez has now allowed just one earned run in 15.2 innings since returning from the injured list Aug. 13 and he's down to a 2.02 ERA and 0.95 WHIP for the season. Perez lines up to complete a two-start week this weekend against the Yankees.

Dezenzo (hand) went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in his first rehab game with Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday.

Dezenzo took part in his first game action in nearly three months, as he has been working his way back from a left hand capsule strain. The 25-year-old will likely remain on his rehab assignment at least through the end of August before being reinstated from the 60-day injured list at some point in September.

Montgomery went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's loss to the Royals.

Montgomery opened up the scoring with a solo blast off Michael Lorenzen in the second inning. It's his fourth straight game leaving the yard and he's racked up nine RBI over that span. Montgomery now has 14 homers in 43 career games, though that comes with a .230 batting average and .287 on-base percentage.

Estevez earned the save in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the White Sox, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

The Royals rallied to combine for five runs in the eighth and ninth inning to take the lead over the White Sox, and Estevez closed the door with ease. He has not allowed a baserunner in each of his last six appearances and has now converted 10 consecutive save chances. Estevez is tied atop baseball with 35 saves and owns a 2.62 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 50:20 K:BB in 58.1 innings.

Smith gave up one hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his eighth save of the season in a 3-0 win over the Rays.

The right-hander has had a bumpy transition to closing, getting tagged for at least one run in three straight appearances prior to Tuesday, but the Guardians are committed to giving him a full audition over the rest of the season. Through 13.2 innings since Emmanuel Clase (personal) made his last appearance July 26, Smith has converted five of eight save chances while posting a 3.29 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB.

Messick (1-0) picked up the win in Tuesday's 3-0 victory over the Rays, allowing four hits over seven scoreless innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.

Making his second career MLB start, Messick baffled Tampa Bay over 98 pitches (66 total strikes) and generated an eye-popping 36 called or swinging strikes. The 24-year-old southpaw has produced back-to-back quality starts to begin his career, giving up just one run with a 12:1 K:BB in 13.2 innings, and while John Means (elbow) is closing in on his Cleveland debut, it's hard to imagine Messick being removed from the rotation given his performance so far. His next start is scheduled to come on the road early next week in Boston.

Lorenzen allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out six in five innings Tuesday against the White Sox. He did not factor into the decision.

The only loud contact allowed was a solo home run off the bat of Colson Montgomery in the second inning. Lorenzen was otherwise able to cruise through five frames but couldn't record an out after coming back out for the sixth, leading to three more runs charged against him. Lorenzen has now allowed eight runs (seven earned) on 16 hits over his last two starts, though he has racked up six strikeouts on both occasions, which is one below his season high. Lorenzen has just one win over his last eight starts and will look to change that next week against the Angels.

Baz (8-11) took the loss Tuesday, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks over six innings as the Rays fell 3-0 to the Guardians. He struck out seven.

The right-hander produced his first quality start since July 12 on 92 pitches (62 strikes), but Baz got no run support to remain winless over his last 10 trips to the mound. During that span, he's gone 0-8 with a 6.58 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 64:19 K:BB over 53.1 innings. Baz will try to get back in the win column in his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Mariners.