MLB Player News

Munoz (back) played catch prior to Thursday's game in Oakland, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Drayer adds that Munoz was seen giving fist bumps to others afterward, which would seem to indicate things went well. Munoz had to be removed from an appearance Thursday versus the Athletics, but there's optimism he can avoid the injured list and could be available to pitch this weekend in Kansas City, per Daniel Kramer of MLB.com.

The Red Sox activated Campbell (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Worcester, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Campbell has been out for much of the season with a right shoulder impingement. He allowed just one unearned run with an 8:2 K:BB over 6.1 innings on his rehab assignment, but the Red Sox have elected to keep him at Worcester for the time being.

Munoz (back) said Wednesday that he's feeling better and remains optimistic he'll avoid a stint on the injured list, MLB.com reports.

The results of the right-hander's MRI are still pending, but Munoz appears confident the flareup of a lower-back issue that caused his removal from Tuesday's appearance is temporary. Munoz revealed Wednesday he had actually been dealing with his back strain since the second game of the season and has been managing it with treatment and other pain-management remedies. Consequently, the collision with the Athletics' Max Schuemann in Tuesday's game wasn't the actual culprit, as Munoz added that he had already been feeling back tightness when warming up in the bullpen that night. Munoz's MRI results could be the ultimate determining factor in whether he avoids an IL stint, with those results likely to be available at some point Thursday.

Santos (lat) threw a limited bullpen session before Tuesday's game against the Athletics, the Associated Press reports.

The right-hander remains without a timetable for his season debut, but Santos could be looking at a post-All-Star-break return considering he'll presumably need a fairly lengthy rehab assignment. Santos was a versatile relief asset for the White Sox last season while recording two wins, six holds and five saves, and once healthy, he could eventually prove to be a viable sixth- or seventh-inning option in his new Seattle digs.

Garcia (2-0) picked up the win Wednesday over the Orioles, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

The right-hander needed only 10 pitches (eight strikes) to dispatch Baltimore's 6-7-8 hitters in the ninth, and Garcia got rewarded when Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the frame. Garcia has recorded a win (one), save (one) or hold (five) in seven of 10 appearances over the last month, posting a 2.53 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 15:4 K:BB in 10.2 innings during that stretch. He'll continue to serve as the Blue Jays' primary closer until Jordan Romano (elbow) returns from the injured list.

The Orioles optioned Vespi to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

Vespi's latest stint with the big club lasted just three days, with the lefty reliever tossing a scoreless inning during his lone appearance Tuesday versus the Blue Jays. He'll cede his spot on the 26-man active roster to left-hander Cade Povich, who was called up from Norfolk to start Thursday's series finale in Toronto.

Kimbrel (4-2) allowed an unearned run on two hits over one-third of an inning, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Blue Jays.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa delivered a walk-off single in the ninth inning to hand Kimbrel his first loss since April 28. This also ended Kimbrel's scoreless streak at 7.2 innings, though he hasn't given up an earned run since May 8. The closer has a 2.95 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 31:9 K:BB and 13 saves in 16 chances through 21.1 innings this season.

Urena (2-5) earned the win over Detroit on Wednesday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out six batters over 6.2 innings.

Urena got through five perfect frames until Tigers rookie Justyn-Henry Malloy tagged him for his first MLB homer leading off the sixth inning. Urena rebounded by retiring the next five batters before getting pulled following a two-out walk in the seventh. The veteran righty's 6.2 frames tied a season-high mark and were enough to give him his third quality start over his past five appearances. Despite Urena's strong outing, he may be pushed out of the rotation this weekend if Jon Gray (groin) is ready to return from the injured list.

Suarez allowed two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four batters over five innings in a no-decision against Toronto on Wednesday.

Suarez remained in the rotation for a third straight start and did a good job of keeping Baltimore in the contest with five strong frames. The only damage against him came in the second inning, when he surrendered two runs -- twice as many as he had allowed in his previous two starts combined. Suarez has posted a 1.93 ERA across 14 innings since rejoining the Orioles rotation May 25. He figures to get at least one more start, and possibly more, since Dean Kremer (triceps) has not yet begun a rehab assignment.

Moore pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Padres.

Moore was called on for ninth-inning duties since Carlos Estevez had pitched both Monday and Tuesday. The save was Moore's first of the season, and he hadn't even picked up a hold in any of his last nine appearances after taking a blown save May 13 versus the Cardinals. The southpaw has a 5.32 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 23:12 K:BB over 23.2 innings this season, adding eight holds and a 2-2 record. Moore's poor ratios make him a less-than-ideal candidate for ancillary saves, especially as long as he's playing an Angels club that is 24-38 on the year.