MLB Player News

Santiago (8-4) allowed the Rangers to score three runs on five hits and three walks while lasting just five innings Wednesday, but still went home with his fourth consecutive win.

He'd certainly pitched much better in the prior three, but Santiago's fantasy owners will take what they can get after having weathered the storm of his struggles in May and June. The 28-year-old lefty has outpitched his peripherals for years, consistently finishing with an ERA in the mid-threes despite his FIP often suggesting it ought to be a full run higher, but that run of luck has mostly come to an end this season. He's actually still outpitching his peripherals despite an unattractive 4.32 ERA, and a matchup against the defending-champion Royals on Tuesday doesn't promise to help Santiago improve his ratios.

Pomeranz lasted only three innings in his first start with the Red Sox, giving up five runs on eight hits and two walks, but was able to avoid taking a loss.

The lefty's been so good this year, it's startling to see him turn in such a bad start; this was his shortest outing of the year and just his second time failing to finish five innings in 18 starts. Fenway Park isn't as friendly to pitchers as Petco, but Pomeranz has been so good, it's hard to worry about that; we'll give him a mulligan for struggling while pitching on the biggest stage of his career Wednesday.

Mengden (1-5) pitched five innings, allowing three runs, five hits and five walks while striking out five in Wednesday's loss to the Astros.

He recovered from a shaky start, blanking the Astros over the last three innings, but Mengden's lack of control early cost him. In the second inning, he walked three batters, including one with the bases loaded. By the end of that frame, the rookie had already thrown 50 of his 101 pitches. Mengden has a 9.33 ERA over his past four starts after posting a 2.81 ERA in his first four big league outings. He'll look to rebound Monday when he takes the hill against Texas.

Neal could be summoned from Triple-A to start in place of Rich Hill on Sunday against Tampa Bay, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

He's been more effective than Jesse Hahn at Triple-A Nashville this season, but both are in the mix to make a spot start and possibly stick around in Oakland if Hill is traded prior to the August 1 non-waiver trade deadline. Neal continues to chew up innings effectively in the Pacific Coast League, but he's unlikely to provide much in terms of strikeouts, as he's managed just a 32:8 K:BB in 61.2 innings with the Sounds this season.

Layne may see situational save chances against left-handed hitters in the absence of Craig Kimbrel and Koji Uehara, Mike Silverman of the Boston Herald reports.

Robbie Ross can be used in a similar manner, while Red Sox manager John Farrell is expected to lean primarily on Brad Ziegler as his primary ninth-inning option in the coming weeks. The two lefties could be used as matchup-based options if Ziegler is needed earlier in the game.

Boshers was recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.

Boshers was sent to Triple-A on July 4 and threw 4.1 scoreless innings for Rochester. He'll pitch in middle relief and may shuttle between Triple-A and the majors throughout the second half.

Carroll was traded to the Rangers for cash considerations Wednesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Carroll had been outrighted to Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday and will now pack up and join the Rangers. Carroll, a former third-round pick, hasn't been able to find his game in Triple-A this season, going 2-8 with a 5.55 ERA through 60 innings of work in a combined role both as a reliever and starter. The 31-year-old also gave up three earned runs in three appearances out of the White Sox's bullpen this season. He will likely play out the season as minor league depth.

Kimbrel (knee) threw from flat ground Wednesday and is on schedule to return from surgery within the initial three-to-six week timetable, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

With Kimbrel and Koji Uehara on the disabled list, Brad Ziegler will serve as the Red Sox's primary closer for now, but Robbie Ross and Tom Layne may also be in the mix depending on the situation. Nevertheless, all signs are pointing to Kimbrel's recovery being on track, which should put him back in the Boston bullpen around the middle of August.

Johnson fired six scoreless innings, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out six for short-season Lowell on Tuesday.

Johnson, whose pro career started in 2012 at Lowell, continues his comeback from an anxiety issue, which is chronicled by the Boston Globe's Alex Speier. He's made four starts, two apiece in the rookie Gulf Coast League and the short-season New York-Penn League, and the results have been encouraging: three runs allowed on 14 hits and four walks with 20 strikeouts in 18 innings. The command problems that characterized his starts early in the season at Triple-A Pawtucket are gone and so, too, the crushing burden he carried with him since early 2015 when he was on the brink of MLB. At this point, there's no timetable for his return to Pawtucket -- Johnson's still building arm strength and stamina after a period of downtime -- but he's showing signs of what made him so highly regarded by the Red Sox.

Andriese picked up a three-inning save as he allowed one run on three hits in a blowout win Tuesday over the Rockies.

Don't expect Andriese to get regular save opportunities any time soon, but he's doing well for himself in a long relief role. He has thrown 7.2 innings over his last three appearances, allowing just the one run with 10 strikeouts and not a single walk.