MLB Player News

Alexander worked a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his third save of the season in a 7-4 win over the Blue Jays. He didn't strike out a batter.

The 31-year-old southpaw hadn't picked up a save since March 30, but with Jacob Latz and Jakob Junis each having worked the prior two days, Alexander found himself handling closing duties again and got the job done. He's been scored upon in just one of eight appearances in June, posting a 1.08 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 6:2 K:BB over 8.2 innings this month. However, Alexander's high-leverage work has been limited, and he has no wins and only one hold during that time, in addition to Saturday's save.

Cronenworth (concussion) went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a double Friday in a rehab appearance with Triple-A El Paso.

Cronenworth was originally slated to make his first rehab appearance Thursday, but he had to wait an extra day while the process of receiving full medical clearance was completed. The veteran outfielder seemed to be champing at the bit to get back given his first plate appearance Friday, as he walloped a 413-foot to right field. It was Cronenworth's first game action since May 4, so he'll presumably need several more contests in the minors before he's ready to be activated.

Quantrill didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Blue Jays, scattering two hits and a walk over four scoreless innings. He struck out five.

Making just his second career start in Toronto, the Canadian right-hander blanked the Jays over 55 pitches (36 strikes) but wasn't stretched out enough to qualify for the win and take advantage of a five-run fifth inning by the Rangers. Quantrill is making a case to remain in the rotation while Jack Leiter (ankle) is on the shelf, and he'll take a 3.31 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 25:11 K:BB through 35.1 innings and 17 appearances (two starts) into his next outing, which is set to come at home next week against the Tigers.

Carpenter went 2-for-4 with a grand slam in Saturday's 8-6 loss to the Astros.

The 28-year-old slugger came to the plate with the bases loaded in the third inning and got hold of a hanging curveball from Kai-Wei Teng, depositing it in the right-field seats. It was Carpenter's 12th homer of the year and, remarkably, the first grand slam of the season for the Tigers. Carpenter's gone yard in back-to-back games, and over 22 contests in June he's batting .234 (15-for-64) with seven long balls and 18 RBI.

Valdez didn't factor into the decision Saturday, giving up four runs on eight hits over six innings as the Tigers were downed 8-6 by the Astros. He struck out two without walking a batter.

The veteran left-hander got tagged for runs in the second, third and fourth frames, but Valdez didn't issue a free pass for only the second time in 17 starts this season. He exited the mound after 88 pitches (59 strikes) in line for his fifth win before Will Vest melted down in the eighth. Through five outings and 28 innings in June, Valdez sports a 3.21 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 23:9 K:BB. He lines up to make his next trip to the mound on the road next weekend against the Rangers.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Saturday that Holmes will be available out of the bullpen this weekend in San Francisco, but the righty hurler could still start next week if he isn't needed in relief versus the Giants, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Holmes has struggled of late, logging no more than 4.2 innings over his past three starts and pitching to a 6.10 ERA, 2.03 WHIP and 10:8 K:BB over that span. His next start is projected to be Tuesday against St. Louis, but that outing may now hinge on whether Holmes is needed out of the bullpen this weekend in San Francisco. If Holmes does indeed appear in relief, Atlanta could opt to move Martin Perez up a day, since he'd be working on five days of rest after last appearing Wednesday against San Diego.

Pena went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI in Saturday's 8-6 win over the Tigers.

The shortstop continues to rake in June. Over 24 games this month, Pena is batting .326 (28-for-86) with five doubles, three homers, five steals, 13 RBI and 18 runs as he makes up for lost time after missing more than a month earlier in the season due to a hamstring strain.

Walker went 4-for-5 with two doubles, a run scored and an RBI in Saturday's 8-6 win over the Tigers.

The first baseman paced the Astros as part of a 15-hit attack, with both two-baggers coming off former teammate Framber Valdez. It was Walker's first multi-hit performance since June 8, snapping a 15-game skid in which he'd gone just 8-for-58 (.138) with two homers and four RBI. On the season, he's slashing .240/.309/.470 with 18 home runs, 44 runs and 53 RBI in 83 contests.

France, who was hit in the wrist by a pitch against the Dodgers on Friday, had X-rays return negative, but he's out of Saturday's lineup, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

France was nailed in the wrist by a Roki Sasaki fastball in the fourth inning Friday. The veteran infielder initially stayed in the game but was then replaced by Miguel Andujar at first base in the ninth inning. The good news for France is that X-rays returned negative, but he's nonetheless beginning on the bench for Saturday's matchup. Manager Craig Stammen said Saturday that France isn't looking at an IL stint, and the infielder will be available off the bench for the evening contest, so it doesn't sound like he is dealing with a serious injury.

Hader struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his seventh save of the season in an 8-6 win over the Tigers.

The veteran closer continues to shine since making a belated season debut in early June after recovering from biceps tendinitis. Hader has been scored upon in only one of 11 appearances since coming off the IL, producing a 0.82 ERA, 0.36 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB in 11 innings, and he has yet to blow a save chance.