MLB Player News

The Astros optioned Alexander to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.

Alexander saved the Astros' bullpen Tuesday against the Rangers by managing to go six innings despite allowing eight runs in the opening frame. Nevertheless, he will head back to the minors as Houston adds Logan VanWey to the bullpen.

Ballesteros will start at designated hitter and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the Pirates.

Just when he appeared to have ceded primary DH duties to Michael Conforto, Ballesteros has re-emerged to take back playing time at that spot in the lineup. Ballesteros will be awarded a fifth consecutive start after going 2-for-9 with a 5:3 BB:K and a run scored over the previous four contests. The Cubs will still look to shield Ballesteros from left-handed pitching, but he could continue to see the bulk of the starts at DH versus righties if he can continue to get on base at a steady clip.

Beavers (oblique) hit in the batting cage Wednesday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

It's the first time he's hit in the cage since going down with a right oblique strain in mid-May. Whether Beavers is asked to go out on a rehab assignment before rejoining the Orioles' active roster isn't clear, but he appears close to participating in a game setting of some kind.

Isbel is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

The Royals often hold the left-handed-hitting Isbel out of the lineup against southpaws, but he'll take a seat against right-hander Gerrit Cole in the series finale. Lane Thomas will replace Isbel in center field and will bat sixth.

Foscue is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the Astros.

Foscue had made 11 consecutive starts at second base, but he will begin Wednesday's festivities on the bench. Newcomer Nicky Lopez will draw the start at the keystone for the Rangers.

The Angels designated Lugo for assignment Wednesday.

The transaction clears space on the 40-man roster for the addition of Nick Madrigal. Lugo has spent most of this season at Double-A Rocket City, slashing .258/.382/.406 with three home runs, 11 steals and a 23:40 BB:K over 39 games. He just turned 25 and was once a prospect of some note, so Lugo could draw interest via waivers.

The Nationals optioned Poulin to Triple-A Rochester following Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Guardians.

For the seventh time this season, Poulin served as an opener for Washington during Wednesday's contest. The lefty struck out a batter and gave up no hits and one walk over a scoreless frame before Miles Mikolas took over in bulk relief. Washington didn't announce a corresponding transaction but will add another player to the active roster as a replacement for Poulin prior to Friday's game against the Padres.

The Angels selected Madrigal's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Madrigal earned a promotion after slashing .275/.353/.366 with two home runs and an 18:8 BB:K over 38 games with Salt Lake. With Vaughn Grissom needed at first base to cover for the injured Nolan Schanuel (ankle), Madrigal will provide depth at second and third base.

Perez said after Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the Blue Jays that he will undergo further imaging on his right hamstring, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

After limiting the Blue Jays to three base hits while striking out nine and issuing no walks over four scoreless frames, Perez was pulled in advance of the fifth inning of his start Wednesday due to a right hamstring spasm. The Marlins will send Perez in for an MRI to glean more information on the severity of the injury, which the right-hander indicated is already beginning to show some improvement. Until the results of his imaging are available, Perez's status for his next turn through the rotation Tuesday in Washington is up in the air.

The Angels placed Schanuel on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with left ankle inflammation.

Schanuel hasn't played since Saturday due to what had been described as a calf injury. It turns out the issue is more focused on his ankle, and it will knock him out of commission at least until early June. Vaughn Grissom should continue to handle reps at first base while Schanuel is shelved.