MLB Player News

Single-A Hill City reinstated Oakie (illness) from its 7-day injured list Aug. 27 and assigned him to High-A Lake County.

Oakie has made two appearances since joining Lake County, striking out four batters over four innings while giving up six earned runs on six hits and two walks. The 20-year-old righty posted a 7.15 ERA and 1.95 WHIP over 45.1 innings in 13 starts with Hill City before landing on the injured list July 8 due to a viral illness.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Santander (shoulder) has been facing live pitching this week at the team's spring training complex in Florida and could be ready for a rehab assignment next week, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Santander had surgery in February to repair his left shoulder labrum, but he's given himself a chance to return before the end of this month with his recent progress. Still, the odds are long that he's able to make it back in the coming weeks and contribute offensively following an extended layoff.

Romo is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest in Houston.

Romo was behind the dish for the last two tilts, so he'll get a breather during Thursday's matinee. Jake Rogers will start at catcher and will bat ninth as the White Sox close out the series.

Smith is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the White Sox.

Smith had started the last four contests for the Astros, but this will be the third time he's been out of the lineup the last five times his team has faced a righty. LaMonte Wade and Taylor Trammell will be in the corner outfield spots in the series finale.

Okamoto is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Guardians.

It's a rare day off for Okamoto, who had started each of the previous 19 contests for the Blue Jays. Josh Smith is getting the call at third base for Toronto while Okamoto gets a breather.

Kirk is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Cleveland.

Kirk was behind the dish in each of the last four contests for the Blue Jays, so he's earned a breather during Thursday's matinee. It will be Brandon Valenzuela doing the catching for Toronto.

Springer is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Cleveland.

Springer -- who will turn 37 later this month -- will get some rest during Thursday's afternoon tilt. Sean Keys will slot in at designated hitter and will bat fifth for the Blue Jays in the rubber match.

Bailey is out of the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Blue Jays.

After starting both of the first two games of the series at catcher, Bailey will exit the lineup for Thursday's matinee. Austin Hedges will step in behind the dish and bat eighth in the series finale.

Bradford (0-4) took the loss Wednesday as the Rangers were downed 9-2 by the A's, surrendering five runs on seven hits -- including three home runs -- and a walk over four innings. He struck out three.

It was the southpaw's worst performance since coming off the IL for his season debut in early August after completing his recovery from an internal brace procedure on his elbow. Bradford has been taken deep only once in his first five starts, but Henry Bolte got to him for a pair of two-run shots in this one, while Zack Gelof also tagged him for a solo homer. Bradford saw his ERA inflate from 3.42 to 4.45 as a result, and through 30.1 innings he carries a 1.58 WHIP and 16:7 K:BB. He'll try to bounce back in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week in Seattle.

Bolte went 3-for-4 with a walk, two home runs, four RBI and a stolen base in Wednesday's 9-2 win over the Rangers.

The rookie outfielder wasn't getting fooled by lefty Cody Bradford, touching him up for two-run blasts in the third and fourth innings as the A's put the game away early. Bolte snapped a 16-game power drought with the performance, but he stayed productive during that span with a .299/.373/.358 slash line. Through his first 375 big-league plate appearances, Bolte is batting .274 with a respectable .739 OPS, eight homers, 15 steals, 30 RBI and 41 runs.