MLB Player News

Santana was removed from the game in the sixth inning, but the Diamondbacks could have very well just decided they didn’t want their 40-year-old first baseman to withstand any more abuse. Santana has been on the IL since April 7th with a groin injury and then suffered an oblique strain in early May while beginning a rehab assignment. In the meantime, Pavin Smith has returned to the Diamondbacks lineup, so it remains to be seen what happens to Santana’s playing time when he does return.

Little’s stay with the big league club lasted just one day this time around as he gave up four runs on three hits and a pair of walks in his lone inning of work against the Cubs on Friday afternoon. Lazaro Estrada was activated from the 60-day injured list to take his spot in a Jays’ bullpen that has been heavily taxed in recent days.

As anticipated, Estrada will rejoin the Blue Jays’ bullpen on Saturday after being sidelined since April 5 due to a right shoulder impingement. He has made just one appearance with the team this season, hurling four scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Brendon Little was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move to clear a spot in the Jays’ bullpen.

That’s about the best possible news that the Cubs and fantasy managers could have received here. The expectation is that he’ll be shut down from throwing for about a week before starting to ramp back up. The Cubs will likely patch together the ninth inning in the meantime.

The Rangers are calling the issue minor and it doesn’t sound like there are any immediate plans to place Eovaldi on the injured list. MacKenzie Gore, who had been scheduled to start on Sunday, will pitch on Saturday in Eovaldi’s place. The 36-year-old right-hander is considered day-to-day.

Wells, who has been sidelined since early June due to cervical headaches, has been playing in minor league rehab games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre since Tuesday. Expect Ali Sanchez to return to Triple-A upon Wells’ return on Sunday.

The 34-year-old slugger will get a breather on Saturday with right-hander Will Warren toeing the slab for the Yankees. Nathaniel Lowe will serve as the team’s designated hitter and bat cleanup while Sal Stewart covers third base for the Reds.

With left-hander Sean Newcomb toeing the slab for the White Sox, Keith will have to wait to make his entrance into the ballgame until the Pale Hose go to the bullpen. Zach McKinstry will start at shortstop and bat ninth while Kevin McGonigle slides over to cover the hot corner.

It appears to be nothing more than a routine day of rest for the 24-year-old second baseman. Sam Antonacci will move into the infield and start at second base while Randal Grichuk makes a rare start against a right-hander and will bat fifth for the White Sox against Troy Melton and the Tigers.

The 32-year-old southpaw is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and is going to require a lengthy rehab stint before he’s an option to help out the Braves. Young holds a 4.01 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and a 78/25 K/BB ratio over 60 2/3 innings in his MLB career.

The Padres were forced to play a man down in their bullpen over the past two games while Marinaccio did his time. The 30-year-old right-hander holds a 3.82 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and a 32/11 K/BB ratio across 37 2/3 innings in 25 appearances for the Padres this season.