MLB Player News

Alexander will be the White Sox's starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

Adrian Houser had been slated to start for Chicago, but he is on the trade block and could be on the move ahead of Thursday's deadline. Alexander will be pitching on two days' rest after throwing 1.1 scoreless relief innings Sunday versus the Cubs. The lefty will be on a relatively limited pitch count Wednesday.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Wednesday that Alvarez (hand) could be activated from the 60-day injured list in mid-August, Michael Schwab of The Ice Box Insider reports.

Alvarez is working his way through a hitting progression and could be ready to face live pitching soon. He is sure to require a rehab assignment, and any timeline for Alvarez's return has to be considered approximate, given how his recovery has gone. The slugger has been sidelined since early May with a right hand fracture.

Volpe went 2-for-4 with a solo homer, a steal, two RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's win over the Rays.

Volpe launched a 452-foot homer to right-center field in the eighth to put the Yankees up 7-4. It was his fifth home run since coming back from the All-Star break, and he's now up to 15 for the year. Outside of his home run balls, Volpe has just one other extra-base hit in July and is hitting .174 with a .191 on-base percentage this month.

The Orioles optioned Young to Double-A Chesapeake on Wednesday.

Young was called up Tuesday to serve as the 27th man for the Orioles' doubleheader versus the Blue Jays. He drew the start in the second game of the twin bill, taking a no-decision despite limiting the Blue Jays to two earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out six over six innings. Though he'll head back to the minors for now, Young could be in line for a longer look in the rotation over the final two months of the season if the Orioles ship out a starter or two ahead of Thursday's trade deadline, although both Kyle Bradish (elbow) and Cade Povich (hip) are close to returning from the injured list.

Williams earned the save in Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Rays, allowing one run on a hit and a walk while striking out one in an inning of work.

Williams had some room to work with but did not make it easy on himself. He allowed a leadoff triple, and that runner that would come into score. He escaped more damage with a game-ending punchout with runners on second and third. Williams has now allowed a run in three of his last five outings, but his only blown save of the year happened back on April 25. He now has 17 saves to go along with a 4.69 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 54:16 K:BB in 40.1 innings.

Lukes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

Lukes had started each of the Blue Jays' last four games -- including both ends of Tuesday's doubleheader -- so he appears to be getting a routine rest day as Toronto and Baltimore wrap up their series with a matinee contest. Though he's been holding down a regular spot in the Toronto lineup against right-handed pitching since being activated from the 7-day injured list June 20, Lukes could have to vie with fellow left-handed-hitting outfielder Joey Loperfido for playing time once Daulton Varsho (hamstring) returns from the 10-day IL.

Fried (12-4) got the win over the Rays on Tuesday, allowing four runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out nine in 6.2 innings.

Fried allowed three runs through the first three frames, including a Jonny DeLuca two-run triple and a solo shot from Jonathan Aranda. Fried went on to retire 14 straight after allowing the home run and exited in the seventh after a two-out RBI double from Taylor Walls. Fried has issued multiple walks in four of his last five starts, but his nine strikeouts Tuesday tied for his second-highest total this season. Fried is sixth in the American League with a 2.62 ERA and 1.03 WHIP and lines up to take the mound next week against the Rangers.

Heineman is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

Heineman will get a breather for Wednesday's matinee after he went 3-for-3 while starting behind the plate in the Blue Jays' 3-2 loss Tuesday night in the second game of a doubleheader. Ali Sanchez will get the nod at catcher Wednesday, but Heineman is expected to see the bulk of the starts while top backstop Alejandro Kirk (concussion) is on the shelf.

Loperfido (thumb) will start in right field and bat leadoff in Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

During the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader with Baltimore, Loperfido jammed his left thumb on a play at the plate in the fourth inning, though he was able to finish out the contest. The Blue Jays opted to hold him out of the lineup for their 3-2 loss in the second game of the twin bill, but the young outfielder will be ready to go for the series finale. Loperfido has produced a strong 1.017 OPS over 53 plate appearances with Toronto this season, but he could nonetheless be at risk of losing out on a regular role if Daulton Varsho (hamstring) returns from the injured list this weekend as anticipated.

Aranda went 2-for-5 with a solo homer and two runs scored in Tuesday's loss to the Yankees.

Aranda left the yard for just the second time this month with a solo blast to right-center field in the third inning. Tuesday was his third multi-hit effort over the last six games, and he's reached base safely in nine straight. Aranda is enjoying a breakout season and currently ranks third in the American League in batting average (.315) and on-base percentage (.396) and is sixth in OPS (.876).