Former Brewers pitcher Tyler Alexander signs with White Sox, Ubers from Milwaukee, pitches the same day
Alexander signed with the Chicago White Sox on June 8, then hopped in an Uber from Milwaukee to reach Rate Field, where he then pitched three innings in a 7-5 loss to Kansas City.
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"We had been talking to the White Sox prior to today, so we knew if I signed that there would be a good chance of me throwing today. So mentally I had prepared for it," Alexander told Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times afterward. "I was prepared to the best of my ability."
Tyler Alexander of the Chicago White Sox pitches during the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Rate Field on June 8, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
Alexander didn't make it to the game in time for first pitch but wound up available for long relief, surrendering one run on five hits with a walk in his three innings.
The Sun-Times said it was a 90-minute ride. That … seems pretty efficient to reach the south side!
"Traffic wasn't great," Alexander said. "Today has been a whirlwind."
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Alexander was designated for assignment a week ago after Jose Quintana returned from injury rehab. After clearing waivers, Alexander opted for free agency, giving him the opportunity to sign with the White Sox.
Alexander, signed by the Brewers in the offseason, had a 6.19 ERA and 1.486 WHIP in 21 appearances for the Brewers. He allowed five runs in his last game for the Brewers, a mop-up inning in a 17-7 win over the Phillies on May 31. He allowed runs in six of his final seven appearances with Milwaukee. Before that, through May 16, he had a much more palatable 4.20 ERA.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tyler Alexander pitches for White Sox after Uber ride from Milwaukee

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New York Times
42 minutes ago
- New York Times
Bills Week 1 takeaways: Monitoring big-name veteran starters
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For the Bills to make progress on defense, they're depending on two longtime starting players in the NFL to push them forward: defensive end Joey Bosa and cornerback Tre'Davious White. They brought Bosa to Buffalo to start opposite Greg Rousseau and boost their pass rush in the playoffs. They brought in White, not knowing if he'd be their starter, but due to rookie Maxwell Hairston's multi-week knee injury, it certainly seems like he will begin the regular season as a starter. Both players received two defensive series in their 2025 Bills debut, but Bosa had the far more successful day. Bosa put together some good rushes off the edge and provided stability as a run defender, whether it was in edge contain or crashing down to the middle and attempting to tackle the runner from behind. Although Bosa isn't the prototypical speed rusher off the edge, his power will provide a high-quality baseline to help the overall attack. The bigger question is about his durability, and it seemed to be a positive sign that Bosa took 13 of the team's first 17 snaps — penalties included. White played every snap of the first two series, but it was a bit of a miss. The Giants targeted him on underneath throws, with receivers getting separation. After a catch was made in front of White, the cornerback had some difficulty bringing down the ball carrier to minimize the gain. Tackling has never been White's strong suit, but it was less of an issue earlier in his career when his coverage skills were at their best. It's only one game, and White has had a strong training camp. It's something to monitor over the next few weeks ahead of the regular season to see if it becomes a trend. (Getty Images) A day after Andy Dalton injured his throwing elbow against the Texans, the Panthers agreed to terms with ex-Rams QB and reigning UFL MVP Bryce Perkins, a league source tells The Athletic . 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(Getty Images) Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler completed 18 of 24 passes for 199 yards and one touchdown with one interception for a 95.7 rating. Rattler led the key drive that eventually tied the game, a nine-play, 82-yard drive ending with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Dante Pettis. Rattler also ran in the two-point conversion to tie the game. OK, so that may not have been the prettiest NFL contest you'll ever see, even by preseason standards. At least we got an exciting finish! Let's see what you had to say: John W: Saints record this year 2-15. Jeff B: It's not a lock that Shough will be the starter. Feel free to head over to the "Discuss" tab at the top of your webpage or app, or send us an email at live@ with your thoughts! Getty Images First downs: Total plays: Total yards: Total passing yards: Total rushing yards: Turnovers: Imagn Images In a Saints quarterback competition that needed some life today, Spencer Rattler provided it. He bounced back from an interception and capped that last scoring drive off with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Dante Pettis. What was a morbid day for the Saints offense actually ends on a decent note. Will it make a difference in this battle with Tyler Shough? That remains to be seen. But the Saints needed to put something positive on tape. Q4 0:00 - Jaguars 17, Saints 17 What a wild end to the game! Seth Henigan, who was under center for Jacksonville, throws a costly interception to Jonas Sanker, the Saints' 2025 third-round draft pick. Sanker runs back 39 yards out of bounds, ending the game in a tie. New Orleans outscores Jacksonville 14-0 in the second half to tie the game at 17 apiece. Q4 0:21 - Jaguars 17, Saints 17 Oh my goodness! What a drive for Spencer Rattler, who overcame a couple of penalties on offense. He finds Dante Pettis for the 20-yard completion to get the touchdown. On the two-point conversion, Rattler scrambles out to his right, running into the end zone to tie the game at 17. What a comeback for the Saints. Can Jacksonville find a way to win? Q4 0:59 - Jaguars 17, Saints 9 Huge opportunity for Spencer Rattler here. With under a minute to go, the Saints QB has a chance to lead his team down the field and score. New Orleans is down eight, needing a touchdown and a two-point conversion to tie. Getty Images Spencer Rattler was 11-of-16 on the day for 123 yards but the interception he just threw leaves a sting. Tyler Shough finished earlier today, completing 9-of-12 passes for 66 yards. The Chris Olave drop would've made the quarterback's line much better. Both quarterbacks have flashed, but not enough to reach the end zone so far, as New Orleans only has three field goals on the board. This is one QB battle that will go down to the end of the preseason. Either way, Saints fans haven't been too pleased at the options. 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He throws two incomplete passes inside the 10, including on third-and-goal, resulting in a fourth down. New Orleans placekicker Charlie Smyth converts a 23-yard chip shot field goal to bring the Saints within 11. Page 2


New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Where's Kyle Tucker? Right now, the Cubs need more impact from frustrated slugger
CHICAGO — Kyle Tucker is supposed to make the game look easy. It never is that simple, but he came to the Cubs with a well-earned reputation for being a low-key, maintenance star. When a smooth hitter with an even-keeled personality starts chucking his helmet and slamming his bat, you know the frustration is real. Advertisement The clock is ticking on Tucker's time in Chicago, where the size of his next contract is no longer a constant topic of speculation. The Cubs stomached the cost to acquire Tucker in a blockbuster trade with the Houston Astros last offseason, knowing that he would become a free agent and sign with the highest bidder. Unfazed by the adjustment period and a different kind of pressure, Tucker earned his fourth All-Star selection with a great first half that helped put the Cubs at the top of the National League Central. That now feels like a distant memory. While the Milwaukee Brewers took over the division with a 14-game winning streak that ended Sunday, Chicago's offense fell into the same kind of deep spiral that dragged the past two seasons down and out of the playoffs. This was a moment that screamed for the presence of a World Series champion with natural confidence and loose energy. Instead, Tucker's outward reactions after empty at-bats are symptomatic of a Cubs team that, at times, has looked tight or even lost. 'It just kind of happens,' Tucker said. 'Normally, I don't really show much emotion out there or anything. I just try to do my job. But it's been tough over the last two months or so. Just got to keep going.' The crowds were restless this weekend at Wrigley Field, where fans booed Tucker during Sunday's 4-3 comeback victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. That moment happened while the Cubs were down by one run in the sixth inning, when Tucker hit a groundball up the first-base line and did not move far from the batter's box. Kyle Tucker was just boo'd after he grounded out to first and didn't run to first base. — Cubs Zone (@CubsZone) August 17, 2025 It really shouldn't be this difficult to beat a last-place team, especially after the trade deadline and without facing Paul Skenes. And it really doesn't matter how manager Craig Counsell organizes the lineup if the club's best hitters don't perform. The Cubs don't have a more accomplished hitter than Tucker, whose left-handed power and all-around skills are projected to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Advertisement Tucker, though, guessed that he hasn't struggled to this extent since his major-league debut in 2018. 'I don't know how long it's been since I hit a homer,' he said. That would be July 19, the second game after the All-Star break. 'You miss pitches that you hit generally, and it makes you ask: 'Why am I missing those pitches?'' Counsell said. 'That's it. Because the plate discipline has been really strong still. But when you miss those pitches that you normally hit hard, hit far, you ask yourself: 'Why?' And I think that's what he's going through.' Counsell downplayed Tucker's recent moments of frustration. You don't see it that often, Counsell said, because Tucker usually crushes those pitches. 'That's why I think it's very normal,' he said. 'I don't think it's something out of character. I think he's having a reaction to stuff.' Just like any other player. Except the Cubs expected a superstar-level performance for one season when they gave up 14 potential years of club control over Cam Smith, Isaac Paredes and Hayden Wesneski in a deal that did not neatly line up with the club's value-obsessed modeling system. For a front office under pressure to keep jobs and make the playoffs, it was a move to win now. Since the start of July, Tucker has hit just one home run while his season OPS has dropped 104 points. In August thus far, Tucker has not produced an extra-base hit while his groundball rate this month has risen toward 50 percent. It was noticeable when Tucker, who normally prefers to prepare in the batting cage with a shorter routine, took batting practice on the field last week before a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. 'I haven't really driven the ball great in the air,' Tucker said. 'I was just trying to get that feeling back, and trying to do it out on the field, where you have a visual of what it's going to be like in the game. You try to replicate that once the game starts. I had a few good swings out in Toronto that just didn't end up as a hit, but that's how baseball goes sometimes. You just try to battle through it.' Advertisement Counsell hinted at some small adjustments to Tucker's mechanics and approach. A league source observed that Tucker's bat speed is slightly slower, creating a perception that he just doesn't look quite as comfortable in the batter's box or as ready to turn on inside pitches. Tucker injured his right ring finger on a headfirst slide at the start of June, but that wound up being his best month (.982 OPS) to this point. 'We've played 120-ish games or whatever, so I'm sure everyone around the league is kind of banged up,' Tucker said. 'It's just kind of part of the job. It's what we get paid to come out here and do. You're trying to win games, whether you're banged up or not. It doesn't really matter. It's part of the game. You just got to keep going.' The long track record shows that Tucker is one of the best hitters in the game and probably due for some better luck and a bounce back soon. Even with this downturn, Tucker was so good on the front end of the season that his overall production has been worth 4.4 bWAR this season, with an OPS+ that's still roughly 40 percent higher than average. 'There's a lot of trust in who the man is, and who the player is, that he's going to get it done,' Counsell said. As the Brewers have demonstrated in so many ways, it's never a one-man show or not always about the biggest names. But Tucker's impact was obvious as the Cubs spent most of April, May, June and July in first place. Now they get five games against the Brewers in four days, starting with Monday's doubleheader at Wrigley Field, a chance to chip away at an eight-game division deficit and improve their wild-card chances. 'We still have a really good team,' Tucker said. 'Regardless of how the last couple weeks or whatever have gone, we're still in the playoff hunt right now, and in a playoff (spot) currently, so we don't change our course just because we lose a few games here or there. Our goal is to grind out the season and get to the playoffs and try to win from there.' Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle


Chicago Tribune
2 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
3 takeaways from the weekend as the Chicago Cubs prepare for a 5-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers
The National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers are coming to town for a five-game set against the Chicago Cubs, starting with a doubleheader on Monday at Wrigley Field. Here's the math. A Cubs sweep puts them three games out of first place. A Brewers sweep means the Cubs would be 13 games back with 34 games left in the season. Logic would say that the results would fall in the middle and the Cubs would be somewhere between 5-10 games back. But this season, logic is not a part of the equation. Whatever happens, the Cubs know they will be in a battle against a team that won 14 of its last 15 games and had a 14-game win streak snapped in Cincinnati on Sunday. 'This series has a lot of attention and there will be a great atmosphere,' left fielder Ian Happ said after the Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 on Sunday at Wrigley Field to prevent a fourth straight series loss. 'They play fundamental baseball. They run the bases well, they play defense well. They pitch and hit. We just have to go out and play our game.' Cubs manager Craig Counsell, who managed the Brewers from 2015-23, is looking forward to doing battle with his old team. 'We're excited for the series,' he said. 'We're getting to the point where the number of games left means that the games are important and the wins are helpful.' Dansby Swanson, who was honored Sunday with a bobblehead of him and his wife, Chicago Stars standout Mallory Swanson, hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth to bring home Carson Kelly with what turned out to be the winning run for the Cubs in front of a crowd of 38,012. Happ and Pete Crow-Armstrong each had two hits for the Cubs (70-53). Starter Javier Assad, pitching in just his second game this season after suffering an oblique injury, gave up one run on five hits in four innings. While the Cubs salvaged the Pirates series, the offense is still scuffling, scoring nine runs in three games against a last-place team one series removed from getting blown out 33-6 by the Brewers. Here are three takeaways before the big series. Some fans are thirsting for sweeping changes in a Cubs lineup that is not producing the runs and showing the power it had before the All-Star break. Counsell was partially amused and partially piqued before Sunday's game when asked by members of the media about the lineup. 'What do you guys — what do you want to do?' Counsell said. 'Why don't you tell me what you want to happen and then I'll respond to that.' Someone suggested third baseman Matt Shaw, whose 1.086 OPS since the All-Star break ranked third in the National League, should be moved from ninth to higher up in the order. 'Looking at (leadoff hitter) Michael Busch, he's a really good hitter,' Counsell said. 'He's a very productive hitter. And we want that guy to hit a lot. Yeah. 'Matt's had a nice two-week stretch where he's been productive and we tried to put him in good matchups. And we try to develop him as well.' Another suggestion was giving slumping Happ some time off in favor of rookie Owen Caissie, who was tearing it up at Triple-A Iowa. 'Ian's a really good baseball player,' Counsell said. 'Ian's had some bad luck this year, if you want to check that. And he's swung the bat pretty, pretty darn well. This is where baseball gets tough. There is not much difference between Ian's season last year and in 2023 and this year. Do you make a decision based off of that?' Caissie was called up Thursday and went 0-for-4 in one game against the Toronto Blue Jays, then sat out the first two games against Pittsburgh. He was a pinch hitter on Sunday and popped out to third. Happ, who entered the game 4-for-26 in his previous eight games, got back on track. Counsell said that Caissie will play in one of the doubleheader games against the Brewers on Monday. There was a time this season when right fielder Kyle Tucker would single or hit a home run and fans on social media would say, 'Pay the man whatever he wants!' Tucker, who came to the Cubs in an offseason trade with Houston with one year left on his contract, was speculated by some to command a $500 million price tag on his next contract. Now that he is in a slump — he hasn't homered since July 19 and hits have been hard to come by — fans are getting testy with him. On Sunday, when he didn't run out of the batter's box on a grounder to first in the sixth inning, he was loudly booed. Since the Cubs have not been in the postseason since 2020, let's have a refresher course on the playoffs. The American League and National League each get six representatives — three division champs and three wild cards. The top seed is the team with the league's best record, the second seed is the second-best division winner and the third seed is the third-best division winner. The top two seeds will get first-round byes. It's looking like the Cubs won't have to worry about that. As of Sunday, the Cubs own the top NL wild-card mark and would be the fourth seed and host the fifth seed, another wild-card team, in a best-of-three series at Wrigley Field. Playing at home and having starters Shota Imanaga, Cade Horton and Matthew Boyd doesn't sound like a bad deal right now.