MLB Player News

Santos' contract was purchased by the Blue Jays ahead of Game 2 of their doubleheader against the Indians, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The Blue Jays designated infielder Gift Ngoepe for assignment to clear a 40-man roster spot and optioned Danny Barnes to Triple-A Buffalo. Santos made a strong impression in spring training and posted strong numbers at Triple-A before his call-up Thursday, allowing just two earned runs over five appearances (9.1 IP) to go with eight strikeouts. Having a fresh arm like Santos will be particularly helpful after Game 1 went into extra innings.

Maurer was outrighted off the Royals' 40-man roster Thursday.

Maurer will stick with the Storm Chasers after passing through waivers untouched. The 27-year-old struggled across the board in 2018, allowing six runs across 4.1 innings with the Royals while coughing up 12 runs (11 earned) through six innings with Triple-A Omaha. He'll remain with the organization as a depth piece.

Chapman struck out the side against Houston on Thursday to earn his seventh save of the season.

After George Springer reached on a two-out single to left, Chapman quickly rebounded and retired Jose Altuve to nail down the win for New York. Chapman's average fastball velocity has been down a couple ticks early on, but it hasn't mattered, as Chapman is striking out batters at would be the second-base rate of his career and he's a perfect 7-for-7 in save chances. With Kenley Jansen struggling, Chapman is looking like perhaps the top closer option in fantasy baseball.

Saupold felt his hamstring tighten during his appearance against the Royals on Thursday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Saupold was able to stay in the game and finish his outing, and he said after the game that he expects to be fine for Friday's matchup. He owns a 2.70 ERA through 10 innings this season despite an unsightly 4:5 K:BB.

Barria was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake and will start Thursday against the Orioles.

As expected, Barria was summoned back to the big-league club ahead of his third start of the season. In his first two outings, Barria allowed three runs across seven innings of work, good for a 3.86 ERA. With Nick Tropeano (shoulder) expected to miss at least one turn in the rotation while on the DL, the young righty could stick in the rotation for another start if he pitches well Thursday.

Rumbelow (neck) began a throwing program in Arizona this week, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports.

Rumbelow has been dealing with some shoulder discomfort and a compressed nerve in his neck over the past couple months, but the 26-year-old has finally resumed throwing. He will likely need a few more weeks to get up to speed, though the club has yet to describe any sort of timetable for the right-hander. Expect an update once he's able to throw off the mound without any discomfort.

Lee (oblique) will take the mound for Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, David Hall of The Virginian-Pilot reports.

Lee has been sidelined with a right oblique injury since late February but appears to be ready to return to the Tide at the Triple-A level after participating in a couple extended spring training games the past two weeks. During 27 games with Norfolk in 2017, Lee accumulated a 5.11 ERA and 1.71 WHIP over 116.1 innings.

Norris underwent successful groin surgery Thursday and is expected to miss 8-to-12 weeks, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Norris was removed from his start Sunday with a strained left groin, and the surgery was done to remove pressure from the area. The 25-year-old dealt with groin issues last year, which cost him some game action. The team said Norris was already able to walk some after the surgery, which seems to bode well for the recovery process. Late June is the earliest he'll return, though more details should emerge once Norris ramps up rehab activity.

Kittredge will start Friday's game against the Blue Jays, Mark Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reports.

This will mark the third start of the year for Kittredge as manager Kevin Cash has elected to go with another "bullpen day" during the series opener. During his last start -- which came against Boston on April 8 -- Kittredge allowed one run on two hits while striking out one over two innings of work. Since his longest outing of the year was just 3.1 innings against Boston in late March, it's unlikely that he will be able to last much longer than two or three innings after strictly serving as a reliever the past few weeks.

Yarbrough will no longer take the hill for Friday's game against Toronto, Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reports.

Manager Kevin Cash elected to go with another "bullpen day" and will give the ball to Andrew Kittredge for the beginning of Friday's contest instead of lining up Yarbrough for his second start of the year. Yarbrough will likely be in line for a few innings during Friday's series opener and could receive the nod to start against the Braves next week, depending on how Cash decides to utilize the left-hander. Over seven appearances this year, Yarbrough has logged a 4.19 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with a 16:10 K:BB in 19.1 innings.