MLB Player News

Alexander is expected to serve as a bulk reliever for Sunday's game against the Reds, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Alexander will follow opener Shawn Armstrong, who's slated to cover one or two innings before exiting the contest. The lefty threw three innings of bulk relief in his last appearance Tuesday against the Blue Jays and owns a 5.88 ERA in 59.2 innings in the majors this season.

Armstrong will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Reds, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Armstrong will open his seventh game of the season and will likely throw one or two innings before giving way to Tyler Alexander, who is expected to work in bulk relief. Armstrong threw two scoreless innings with four strikeouts Tuesday while serving as an opener in the Rays' game against the Blue Jays.

Berti (calf) ran and performed other baseball activities Friday, but he's not yet back up to full speed, per MLB.com.

Berti has been on the shelf with a left calf strain since late May. He resumed running at approximately 95 percent prior to the All-Star break, then had a setback and was given a PRP injection. Though he's back to being able to run, Berti isn't likely to begin a minor-league rehab assignment until he's up to full speed. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said July 22 that it's "going to be a little bit of time" before Berti is ready to return, though a clear timeline hasn't been shared.

Gelof is absent from the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Angels.

Gelof will get his first day off since June 26, yielding to Abraham Toro at second base. Gelof has logged a .613 OPS and a 35.0 percent strikeout rate in 340 plate appearances this season.

Bleday is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Angels.

Bleday will get the night off Saturday with the Angels putting southpaw Tyler Anderson on the bump. Bleday is slashing .233/.314/.430 with 12 home runs in 422 plate appearances this season.

The Blue Jays acquired Paulino, infielder Cutter Coffey and right-hander Gilberto Batista from the Red Sox on Saturday in exchange for catcher Danny Jansen, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Paulino has spent the 2024 season at the Double-A level, posting a .263/.349/.391 slash line with three home runs, 33 runs and 35 RBI in 278 plate appearances. The 21-year-old has played 37 games at third base, 20 at second base and 11 at shortstop this season.

The Red Sox designated Speas for assignment Saturday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Speas will be removed from the Red Sox's 40-man roster to make room for Danny Jansen, who's coming over from Toronto via trade. Speas was claimed off waivers by Boston on June 29 but has been with Triple-A Worcester since.

The Angels acquired Aldegheri and right-hander George Klassen from the Phillies on Saturday in exchange for right-hander Carlos Estevez, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Aldegheri was promoted to Double-A Reading in early July and made a pair of starts, logging a 3.60 ERA with a 14:4 K:BB in 10 innings. The 22-year-old lefty immediately becomes one of the Angels' top pitching prospects and will likely report to their Double-A affiliate at Rocket City.

The Angels acquired Klassen and left-hander Samuel Aldegheri from the Phillies on Saturday in exchange for right-hander Carlos Estevez, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

One of the Phillies' top pitching prospects, Klassen dominated at the Single-A level to start the 2024 season, posting a 0.71 ERA in 38 innings before being promoted to High-A Jersey Shore. The 22-year-old had turned in a 4.22 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 21.1 innings at the High-A level.

Brown is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Athletics.

Brown will dodge a matchup with left-hander Tyler Anderson on Saturday, giving way to Tyler Nevin at first base. Since Tyler Soderstrom (wrist) was placed on the 10-day injured list July 11, Brown is 14-for-36 (.389) with four home runs, eight RBI and seven runs.