MLB Player News

Santiago (shoulder) tossed three scoreless innings in a minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, MLB.com reports. He struck out two and walked two.

Santiago's velocity was where it should be and he was able to use all of his pitches, so it's possible his next start will be with the big club if everything checks out. He's expected to fly with the team to Cleveland on Friday, at which point a decision will be made about his next step. The 29-year-old owns a 5.26 ERA and 47:28 K:BB through 65 innings this season (13 appearances, 12 starts).

Shaw collected his second save of the season after retiring a single batter in the ninth inning of Wednesday's win over Baltimore.

Shaw has been pitching in high-leverage situations all season, and he entered Wednesday's game after Dan Otero pitched himself and the team into trouble. Cody Allen has a firm grasp on the Cleveland closer job, and Andrew Miller is likely also ahead of Shaw for save opportunities, so it's probably wise not to overreact to Shaw notching Wednesday's save.

Pomeranz allowed two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out five batters over 6.1 innings during Wednesday's loss to Kansas City. He didn't factor into the decision.

It's been an interesting season for Pomeranz. He's battled injuries, struggled to pitch deep into games and been hit hard in a few poor outings. However, he's still managed to post a mediocre 4.07 ERA and 1.37 WHIP with an impressive 10.1 K/9. Additionally, he's allowed two runs or fewer in 11 of 14 starts. Pomeranz's strikeout upside keeps him on the fantasy radar, and the lefty owns the potential to be a quick riser up the ranks if he puts it all together. He projects to face the Twins at Fenway Park in his next start.

Barnes will fill in as the team's setup man while Joe Smith is sidelined with a shoulder injury, Steve Buffery of the Toronto Sun reports.

The sophomore owns a 2.40 ERA and 0.93 WHIP through 23 games this season. With a new role affording Barnes the chance to earn holds, and a strong 10.8 K/9 through 30 innings, the right-hander is a decent add in deep formats. It's worth noting, though, that manager John Gibbons said Ryan Tepera would also be in the eighth-inning mix.

Valdez was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

He'll fill the vacancy created when Leonel Campos (groin) was placed on the disabled list. Valdez has been solid as a swingman for the Bisons this season, logging a 3.67 ERA and a 29:7 K:BB in 34.1 innings pitched, so he'll head to the majors to provide a fresh arm in Toronto's bullpen. He seems to be destined for a long-relief role.

McHugh (elbow) threw a successful session of live batting practice Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

It's a major step in the right direction for McHugh, who has been out since experiencing discomfort in spring training. The next step appears to be a simulated game earlier this week, which should give trainers a better estimate as to when the righty will be able to begin a full rehab assignment. McHugh is looking to improve after posting a somewhat disappointing 4.34 ERA and 1.41 WHIP last season.

Garton was placed on the 7-day disabled list with an undisclosed injury Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Garton had made just one appearance with Triple-A Durham since being sent down by the Rays earlier this month, but he has compiled a brilliant 0.52 ERA and 27 strikeouts over 17.1 innings in the minors this season. Unfortunately, the right-hander hasn't been able to translate that success to the majors, posting an 8.71 ERA over seven appearances with the Rays this year. A timetable for his return should be available once more information becomes known regarding his injury.

Leclerc recorded two strikeouts and worked around two walks and a base hit to close out the seventh inning of Tuesday's 6-1 win over the Blue Jays.

The Rangers pulled starter Nick Martinez from the game with one out and a runner on first base in the seventh inning, calling upon Leclerc to close out the frame. The right-hander very narrowly escaped disaster, as he walked the first two batters he faced before nearly serving up a grand slam to Steve Pearce, whose long drive to left field barely missed the foul pole. Leclerc would go on to strike out Pearce, then allowed an RBI single before concluding the inning with a bases-loaded strikeout of Kevin Pillar. While Leclerc wasn't at his best Tuesday, he did well to limit the damage and lowered his ERA to 2.37 in the process. As one of manager Jeff Banister's most-trusted relief options, Leclerc will continue to see ample usage in high-leverage situations.

Wilson (3-3) allowed the game-winning run Tuesday against Seattle. He surrendered one hit and one walk while retiring just a single batter.

Wilson got the Tigers out of a jam in the bottom of the ninth inning, but he was less effective in the 10th. He started the inning by walking Nelson Cruz, then threw a wild pitch to allow a pinch runner to get to second. Kyle Seager followed that up with a game-winning double. Wilson has allowed runs (and taken the loss) in two of his last three appearances, but with a solid 2.96 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 12.8 K/9, he should be pretty firmly entrenched as Detroit's closer for the foreseeable future.

Strahm (2-4) lasted just three innings Tuesday's loss to the Red Sox, allowing five runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out four.

The young left-hander unfortunately had the tall task of taking on Boston ace Chris Sale, although Strahm labored to just complete three-plus frames. It took him 75 pitches to get through his outing, with 50 of those offerings going for strikes. Most of the damage was done in the fourth inning, in which Strahm failed to record an out before being removed four batters into the frame. This rough outing raised his previously decent ERA to 4.80, a figure he'll look to improve on in his next outing Tuesday against the Tigers.