MLB Player News

Alexander (ribs) is projected to throw a bullpen session in coming days, MLB.com reports.

The veteran remains without a timeline for return, but the bullpen session would mark his first time throwing off a mound since spring training. Alexander was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his left side in mid-March after three ragged Cactus League outings, and he'll almost certainly need an extensive rehab assignment whenever he's deemed ready to return to game action.

Raley drew his first start since April 7 in Sunday's loss to the Cubs and went 0-for-3.

The blanking at the plate means Raley is now 0-for-11 over the last four games in which he's logged a plate appearance, with his last hit, a double, having come on April 3. The rough start at the plate means the offseason addition projects to remain in a low-volume reserve role for now, with Sunday's opportunity coming about due to manager Scott Servais opting to give the equally struggling Julio Rodriguez a "rest day," per the Associated Press.

Spence (1-1) got the win over the Nationals on Sunday despite allowing two earned runs on four hits over 1.2 innings. He struck out one.

Spence took over for embattled starter Alex Wood with one out in the fifth inning and induced an inning-ending double play. However, the right-hander worked himself into trouble in the sixth, eventually surrendered RBI singles to Joey Meneses and Lane Thomas as the Nationals built a seemingly commanding 6-1 lead. Nevertheless, Spence was bailed out when the typically light-hitting Athletics put together an improbable six-run rally in the home half of the frame and held on for the one-run victory. Spence has been scored on in each of his first four big-league appearances, but the fact two of those outings have been three innings in length and one of the runs was unearned has helped lead to a serviceable 4.15 ERA across 8.2 frames.

Davis exited Sunday's win over the Nationals after five innings due to a right groin strain, MLB.com reports.

Davis felt tightness in his groin during a fourth-inning at-bat, likely the result of a difficult over-the-shoulder catch he'd made in the top of the frame on a CJ Abrams flyball. The veteran infielder is slated for an MRI on Monday and considered day-to-day until that evaluation is completed. If Davis is forced to miss any additional time, the trio of Tyler Nevin, who served as an in-game replacement Sunday, Abraham Toro and Darell Hernaiz would all be candidates to draw starts at third base.

Nevin entered Sunday's win over the Nationals in the sixth inning as a defensive replacement for J.D. Davis (groin) and went 2-for-2 with an RBI single.

Nevin made good use of his pair of plate appearances and ignited the Athletics' six-run sixth-inning rally with a single that plated Abraham Toro. Nevin has now reached safely in four of his last five games and could be set for some starts at third base in coming days if Davis' injury lingers.

Bleday went 3-for-4 with a double and a run in a win over the Nationals on Sunday.

Bleday authored one of two three-hit efforts for the Athletics, and he scored the run that started Oakland's rally from a five-run deficit. In the process, the outfielder snapped out of a brief 0-for-10 skid that had encompassed his previous three games, and his productive afternoon gave his batting average a welcome 34-point boost to .262.

McCormick went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored Sunday against Texas.

McCormick was held out of the first two games of Houston's weekend series against the Rangers. He returned to hit fifth in the order and delivered a two-RBI double in the seventh inning. Before his absence, McCormick had only two hits in his previous 20 at-bats.

Pearson struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Sunday during a 5-0 win over the Rockies.

It wasn't a high-leverage spot, but Pearson still mowed down the heart of Colorado's order on 16 pitches (10 strikes). The right-hander has been impressive to begin the season, posting a 0.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB through 6.1 innings as he adjusts to a relief role, but until he starts being entrusted with more responsibility, his fantasy value with be limited -- Pearson has zero wins, holds or saves in six appearances.

DeLuca has been able to hold a bat during his rehab program but is still experiencing soreness in his fractured lower right hand, MLB.com reports.

DeLuca was placed on the 10-day injured list March 27 and remains without a clear timeline to make his Rays and season debuts, though an injury like his is one that typically entails a six-week recovery. Until DeLuca is able to start performing full baseball activities, it'll be difficult to pinpoint a more precise target date for his return from the 10-day injured list.

Kirk went 2-for-2 with two walks in Sunday's win over the Rockies.

The big performance at the plate didn't produce any runs, but Kirk continues to show a penchant for reaching base. The 25-year-old has a .355 OBP over his last last eight games, but all six of his hits during that stretch have been singles and he's managed to score zero runs. With Danny Jansen (wrist) about to rejoin the 26-man roster, Kirk's stint as Toronto's starting backstop will end, but a smaller workload might allow him to refocus at the plate as he searches for his first extra-base hit of 2024.