MLB Player News

Santander went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 10-3 loss to the Guardians.

Little went right for the Orioles in this game, but Santander kept his power surge going with his fifth homer over the last nine contests. The outfielder is batting .306 (11-for-36) in that span. He's up to 32 homers -- one off his career high from 2022 -- while adding 74 RBI, 64 runs scored, one stolen base and a .248/.314/.538 slash line over 105 games this season. He's hit 23 of his 32 homers since the start of June.

Dunning is an option to make a spot start Saturday versus the Red Sox, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

McFarland lists Dunning and Cody Bradford as the most logical options to make the start and the decision could hinge on whether either of them are needed in relief Friday. Whoever makes the start is likely to return to the bullpen after, as Tyler Mahle (elbow) is due to return next week. Dunning has made two relief appearances since returning from a shoulder injury last week, allowing four runs over 4.1 innings.

Rodriguez aggravated his right thumb strain during his rehab assignment and has not played since July 8.

He played in two rehab games July 6 and July 8 for the Florida Complex League Twins but has been on the shelf for four weeks since aggravating the injury. There hasn't been any word from the Twins about Rodriguez's timetable to resume his rehab assignment.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Verlander (neck) will throw a bullpen session in the next few days before heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

Espada said Verlander faced hitters for "between 27 and 30 pitches" Tuesday in Houston, with the right-hander's fastball velocity peaking around 94 miles per hour. Verlander looks poised to throw again Friday or Saturday, and if all goes well, he'll likely report to an affiliate shortly thereafter. The 41-year-old has been on the injured list since June 18 with neck stiffness, but he may need just one start in the minors before Houston is comfortable reinserting him into its rotation.

Pepiot (knee) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Friday, MLB.com reports.

Pepiot has thrown a pair of bullpen sessions since landing on the injured list July 21 following a brief hospitalization due to a right knee infection, which is believed to have stemmed from a spider bite. The right-hander experienced significant swelling to his knee as a result of the infection, but he was cleared to resume throwing last week once the inflammation subsided. Pepiot is now in the process of building back up, and if Friday's side session goes well, he could be cleared to face hitters in live batting practice. Given the brevity of his stay on the IL thus far, Pepiot could get the green light to rejoin the Tampa Bay rotation as soon as next week without the need of a rehab assignment.

Joyce struck out one and allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless eighth inning to record a hold in Thursday's loss to the Rockies.

Angels manager Ron Washington indicated last weekend that the right-hander would likely take over the closer role if the team traded Luis Garcia -- who had freshly stepped in for Carlos Estevez -- but Hunter Strickland received his second straight save chance Thursday after Garcia was dealt. Joyce is still viewed as the organization's closer of the future, but Washington doesn't quite feel the 23-year-old is ready for the job, according to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register. Strickland will fill the role for now, but Joyce could soon force his way into the job given he hasn't allowed a run in 17 straight appearances.

Moore has been promoted from Single-A Inland Empire to Double-A Rocket City, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

The No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Moore played just two games with Inland Empire before receiving a promotion, going 6-for-11 with one homer. The Angels have a recent history of being aggressive with their top draft picks, and Blum writes of Moore that he "wouldn't be shocked if he's in the big leagues quite soon." There would seem to be a possibility that the 21-year-old could get a cup of coffee in the majors later this season.

Bradford (rib/back) gave up five earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out two over two innings out of the bullpen in Tuesday's 8-1 loss to the Cardinals.

Bradford had started in each of his first three appearances of the season with the Rangers before he landed on the injured list in mid-April with a stress fracture in his rib as well as a lower-back strain. With the Rangers set to get some reinforcements to their rotation in August with the expected returns of Tyler Mahle (elbow) and Jacob deGrom (elbow) from the IL, Bradford prepared for a relief role during his rehab assignment before being reinstated from the 60-day IL on Monday. The Rangers turned to Bradford out of the bullpen a day later, and he had an outing to forget versus the Cardinals, with Tommy Pham's grand slam representing most of the damage against the right-hander. After Jon Gray's (groin) surprise placement on the IL on Monday, the Rangers will have an opening in the rotation this weekend in Boston, but Bradford's poor showing out of the bullpen Tuesday was enough to take him out of consideration. Jose Urena will instead be called upon to make a start Friday.

Strickland was charged with a blown save Thursday versus the Rockies after he allowed two runs on a hit and a walk during the ninth inning. He had one strikeout.

The 35-year-old recorded his first save of the season in Tuesday's series opener and was called upon again Thursday, but he gave up a two-out, two-run homer to Jake Cave to tie the game at 4-4. Ben Joyce seemed poised to take over as the Angels' closer after the trades of Carlos Estevez and Luis Garcia, but manager Ron Washington has instead turned to the veteran Strickland. According to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register, Joyce is still considered the club's closer of the future, but Strickland will receive first crack at the ninth inning until Washington feels Joyce is ready for the job. Even including Thursday's blown save, Strickland has pitched well this season with a 3.35 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 42:14 K:BB across 51 innings.

Woo (hamstring) is scheduled to start Friday against the Phillies at T-Mobile Park.

Woo's status for the weekend series with the Phillies had been in question after he departed his latest start this past Saturday in Chicago due to a right hamstring discomfort. Even though Woo spent time on the injured list earlier in July with an injury to the same hamstring, the Mariners were apparently encouraged enough with how he checked out during his post-start throwing sessions to clear him for the Philadelphia series. Woo has had two separate stints on the IL this season, has been scratched from a start and has exited early in three starts, but he's been excellent overall during his time on the mound, posting a 2.35 ERA and 0.89 WHIP across 53.2 innings.