MLB Player News

Diekman (abdomen) threw a 21-pitch bullpen session Thursday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

This occasion marked the first legitimate session from the mound since Diekman underwent three operations to rebuild his colon in the spring. He was able to shake off a little rust with eight tosses from the mound Monday, but finally let his arm loose during Thursday's session. Following his brief time on the mound, the left-hander stated that he "could throw 200 mph" right now, but settled for something a little less. There has yet to be a definitive timetable for Diekman, especially coming off an abnormal set of surgeries, so the Rangers will likely continue to take it slow with the reliever before allowing him to head out on a rehab assignment in the next couple weeks.

Kittredge allowed an earned run on three hits over two-thirds of an inning in Wednesday's 7-2 loss to the Athletics.

The 27-year-old enjoyed a solid debut Tuesday by turning a scoreless effort, but the Athletics got to him for a double, single and run-scoring bunt single in the sixth. Kittredge was enjoying a stellar season at Triple-A Durham before being summoned to the big-league club on July 16, so the potential is there for him to serve as another viable option for manager Kevin Cash if the team opts to give him an extended look.

Kelly (hamstring) expects to throw a bullpen this weekend when the team travels to Los Angeles, Evan Drellich of CSN New England reports.

Kelly has been recovering from a left hamstring strain that has kept him off the mound since July 9. The reliever appears to be close to returning, and will likely be reevaluated by the club if he's able to complete a bullpen session at some point this weekend.

Wilson recorded two outs and gave up two runs on a hit, a walk and a walkoff sacrifice fly by Alex Gordon in the bottom of the ninth inning of Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Royals.

It's just his second blown save of the year in 12 opportunities, and the first runs Wilson has allowed since June 20. The left-hander still has a 2.75 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 12.5 K/9 on the year, and if the Tigers decide to hold a fire sale at the trade deadline he could be viewed by contenders as this year's Andrew Miller.

Santiago (back) threw a bullpen session Tuesday. He'll throw another bullpen session Friday and then pitch in a simulated game before heading out on a rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

It sounds like Santiago could return in early August. However, it's not clear he's guaranteed a spot in the rotation given his struggles this season (5.63 ERA).

Graveman (shoulder) gave up four earned runs on five hits, a walk, a wild pitch and two hit batsmen over 2.1 innings in Triple-A Nashville's win over Iowa on Wednesday. He struck out one.

Graveman threw a total of 46 pitches but endured his share of struggles, although only one of the five hits he surrendered went for extra bases. His control was certainly an issue, but it's understandable that the 26-year-old was far from sharp after last having taken the mound May 20. He's due for multiple rehab outings before a return to the big-league club is contemplated.

Pomeranz (10-4) allowed only one unearned run on three hits and five walks over 6.2 innings in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Blue Jays. He struck out three.

It wasn't the left-hander's sharpest outing, but he kept Toronto's hitters off balance and the Red Sox turned three double plays behind him, snuffing out any chance at a rally. Pomeranz will take a 3.51 ERA into his next start Tuesday in Seattle.

Valdez allowed just one hit while striking out five over four scoreless innings of relief in Wednesday's 5-1 loss to the Red Sox.

Called in when Aaron Sanchez left the game after four innings due to another blister, Valdez dominated Boston's hitters and kept the Jays within striking distance, although the team's offense wouldn't take advantage. With Sanchez likely to miss at least one start, Valdez -- who has a 3.15 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 71.1 innings at Triple-A this year -- may have staked a claim to taking his spot in the rotation after this performance.

Neal was sent down to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

Neal's 7.98 ERA comes largely from a pair of terrible long relief outings in late June when the Nationals and Rays combined to score 12 runs off him in just 7.2 innings. Neal had been sharp in three relief outings since (four innings, one earned run), but opportunities had been few and far between, so he'll return to Nashville for more consistent work.

Shaw (2-4) was charged with his second blown save of the year and took the loss Wednesday after allowing two runs on a pair of hits. He retired two batters via strikeout.

After an error by first baseman Carlos Santana, the reliever was tagged for a two-run double by Buster Posey that propelled the Giants to a 5-4 victory. In six July games, Shaw has surrendered six runs on eight hits and two walks, raising his ERA more than a full point in the process. That said, this outing didn't do anything to his ERA since the runs were unearned.