MLB Player News

Whisenhunt joined the Giants' taxi squad Wednesday and could be formally recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to start Thursday's game against the Rockies in San Francisco, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Per Tristi Rodriguez of NBC Sports Bay Area, manager Tony Vitello wouldn't fully commit to Whisenhunt joining the big-league rotation, but the skipper acknowledged that the southpaw is a candidate to make a start before the All-Star break. The Giants are currently listing Thursday's series opener as "TBA," so Whisenhunt would be a logical choice to slot into that spot while Robbie Ray, Tyler Mahle and Trevor McDonald all get pushed back a day in the schedule. Whisenhunt made his lone start of the season with the Giants back on June 17 in Atlanta, striking out two batters while allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. The 25-year-old owns a 4.42 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 82:37 K:BB over 77.1 innings in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

Massey went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI, four runs scored and two walks in Tuesday's 16-12 win over the Mets.

Massey reached base four times and scored on each occasion, setting a career high in runs scored. He has driven in a run in three straight games after putting together a season-best five-game RBI streak from May 31 to June 4. Across 73 games this season, the second baseman is slashing .262/.300/.430 with seven homers, 31 RBI, 29 runs and two stolen bases.

Loftin went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run, two doubles, an additional run scored and was hit by a pitch in Tuesday's 16-12 win over the Mets.

Loftin was locked in at the plate, tallying three extra-base hits, including a two-run homer in the seventh inning. The 27-year-old has recorded three hits in back-to-back games after going 1-for-27 (.037) over his previous nine games. Overall, Loftin is slashing .247/.342/.420 with four homers, 29 RBI, 25 runs and a stolen base across 55 contests.

Thomas went 3-for-4 with two doubles, four RBI, a run scored and two walks in Tuesday's 16-12 victory over the Mets.

Thomas was a driving force in Tuesday's offensive onslaught, belting a pair of doubles that both drove in two runs as part of a three-hit effort. The outfielder is riding a five-game hitting streak and is slashing .355/.429/.645 with a homer, six doubles, seven RBI, six runs and a stolen base over his past eight games. Overall, Thomas is hitting .232/.341/.379 with six homers, 13 doubles, 29 RBI, 25 runs and four stolen bases across 77 contests.

Gage will be re-evaluated in one month after an MRI revealed a moderate left flexor strain, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

There was some fear that the injury could be worse, so the diagnosis is relatively good news for the southpaw. Gage will be given a platelet-rich plasma injection before resting, and he could rejoin the Giants' bullpen before the end of this season if all goes well. He holds a 5.60 ERA and 22:17 K:BB across 27.1 frames this season.

Springer will start at designated hitter and bat cleanup in Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Toronto reinstated Springer from the family medical emergency list Monday, but he was held out of the lineup for the club's first two games of its series in San Francisco. Springer will return to the lineup for the finale in what will be his first start since June 30, and he'll bat somewhere other than the leadoff spot for the first time all season while manager John Schneider sticks with Ernie Clement atop the batting order for the third straight contest. The arrangement won't necessarily be a permanent one, but slotting behind Vladimir Guerrero in the order could prove beneficial for Springer, who has struggled to a .221/.308/.373 batting line over 276 plate appearances on the season.

Pasquantino (hand) went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk in a rehab game with Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Pasquantino began his rehab assignment after undergoing surgery in mid-June to repair a fractured hamate bone in his right hand. The first baseman wasted little time making an impact, lining an RBI single in the first inning. Barring a setback over his next few appearances with Triple-A Omaha, Pasquantino is on track to return to the Royals immediately following the All-Star break.

Keys is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest in San Francisco.

Keys started the previous seven games and contributed two hits and two RBI in Tuesday's victory, but he'll get some rest during Wednesday's series finale. With George Springer ready to rejoin the Blue Jays' lineup, Keys could see his playing time dip moving forward.

Santos elected to become a free agent Wednesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Santos cleared waivers after being booted off the Giants' 40-man roster, but he's opted to test out free agency rather than accept an outright assignment. The 26-year-old reliever has allowed five runs (two earned) over five innings in the majors this season and holds a 6.89 ERA and 11:11 K:BB over 15.2 frames at Triple-A Sacramento.

Chapman said Wednesday that he has yet to make any meaningful improvement in his recovery from the abdominal strain that sent him to the injured list July 1, Evan Webeck of the California Post reports.

After being placed on the IL, Chapman left the team a day later and went on paternity leave while while observing the birth of his first son. He's since rejoined the Giants, but given his lack of reported progress, Chapman appears unlikely to return from the IL when first eligible Saturday and could remain on the shelf through the All-Star break. Chapman's continued absence should clear the way for both Heliot Ramos and Victor Bericoto to handle near-everyday roles in the corner outfield, while Casey Schmitt serves as the primary replacement for Chapman at third base.