MLB Player News

Castro (shoulder) recently threw a bullpen session, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Castro has been throwing off a mound for just over a week and continues to make good progress in his recovery from a right shoulder strain. He isn't eligible to rejoin the Yankees until at least Sept. 9, but it's possible that he'll return from the injured list in time to contribute for the final few weeks of the regular season.

Banda was designated for assignment by the Yankees on Saturday.

Banda signed a major-league contract with the Yankees last weekend and made two relief appearances for the club during his time on the active roster. He allowed three runs on two hits and five walks while striking out one in two-thirds of an inning and will be cast off the 40-man roster after Ryan Weber's contract was selected Saturday.

Weber's contract was selected from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

Weber rejoined the Yankees on a minor-league deal in late July and posted a 6.00 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in 15 innings over six appearances at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre over the last month. He should serve as a multi-inning reliever now that he's back in the big leagues.

Moran was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Moran rejoined the Twins' bullpen Monday but made just one relief appearance during his stint with the big-league club. He allowed a run on three hits and no walks while striking out five in three innings Wednesday against the Red Sox but will head back to the minors after Tyler Mahle (shoulder) was reinstated from the injured list Saturday.

Taylor (back) won't return this season, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Taylor hasn't thrown a major-league pitch this season, and his rehab assignment was shut down in mid-July. With time running out, the Red Sox have now officially confirmed that he'll miss the full year due his back troubles.

Tate (3-3) allowed a hit and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the win Friday over the Athletics.

Manager Brandon Hyde opted not to go to Felix Bautista for a third straight day. Tate got the last out in the eighth inning and then benefited from Baltimore taking the lead in their half of the frame. He got Vimael Machin to ground into a double play to end the game. Tate has allowed three runs in his last seven innings, adding a save, two holds, a blown save and a win in seven appearances in that span. The setup man has a 2.64 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 52:10 K:BB with three saves and 14 holds through 61.1 innings overall.

Santana will start a bullpen game against the Red Sox on Saturday.

Santana has struck out seven in 3.2 scoreless innings over his last two appearances, and he'll make his first career start as Saturday's opener. The Rangers haven't designated a primary pitcher, but Santana hasn't lasted longer than two innings in any of his appearances this season.

Ridings (shoulder) has been facing live hitters and is expected to begin a rehab assignment soon, Max Goodman of SI.com reports.

Ridings hasn't pitched in a game for over a year and has made very slow progress in his recovery from a right shoulder impingement. However, he appears to have finally turned a corner, as Goodman reports that the righty reliever has been throwing without pain. With the season winding down, it's uncertain if Ridings will have enough time to fully ramp up and join the Yankees' bullpen, but it remains a possibility if he begins a minor-league rehab assignment in short order and doesn't encounter any setbacks.

Rosenberg (arm) was reinstated from Triple-A Salt Lake's injured list last week and returned to action Sunday, covering two innings and striking out three while allowing two earned runs on four hits.

Rosenberg had been out of action since early July with the unspecified arm injury before he was cleared to begin a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League in mid-August. Though he possesses a spot on the Angels' 40-man roster, Rosenberg may need to string together a few quality performances at Triple-A to earn a promotion back to the majors in September.

Martinez is scheduled to start Sunday's game in Baltimore.

Martinez looked as though he might have been at risk of moving to the bullpen after the Athletics summoned Ken Waldichuk from Triple-A Las Vegas to start Thursday, but at least for this week, Oakland will expand their rotation to six men to open up spots for both rookies. Though Martinez owns an unremarkable 5.28 ERA and 1.34 WHIP over six outings with Oakland this season, he turned in the best start of his young career his last time out Aug. 28, when he limited the Yankees to one run while allowing five baserunners and striking out career-high six batters over 5.1 innings.