MLB Player News

Santiago (back) threw a bullpen session Tuesday. He'll throw another bullpen session Friday and then pitch in a simulated game before heading out on a rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

It sounds like Santiago could return in early August. However, it's not clear he's guaranteed a spot in the rotation given his struggles this season (5.63 ERA).

Graveman (shoulder) gave up four earned runs on five hits, a walk, a wild pitch and two hit batsmen over 2.1 innings in Triple-A Nashville's win over Iowa on Wednesday. He struck out one.

Graveman threw a total of 46 pitches but endured his share of struggles, although only one of the five hits he surrendered went for extra bases. His control was certainly an issue, but it's understandable that the 26-year-old was far from sharp after last having taken the mound May 20. He's due for multiple rehab outings before a return to the big-league club is contemplated.

Pomeranz (10-4) allowed only one unearned run on three hits and five walks over 6.2 innings in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Blue Jays. He struck out three.

It wasn't the left-hander's sharpest outing, but he kept Toronto's hitters off balance and the Red Sox turned three double plays behind him, snuffing out any chance at a rally. Pomeranz will take a 3.51 ERA into his next start Tuesday in Seattle.

Valdez allowed just one hit while striking out five over four scoreless innings of relief in Wednesday's 5-1 loss to the Red Sox.

Called in when Aaron Sanchez left the game after four innings due to another blister, Valdez dominated Boston's hitters and kept the Jays within striking distance, although the team's offense wouldn't take advantage. With Sanchez likely to miss at least one start, Valdez -- who has a 3.15 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 71.1 innings at Triple-A this year -- may have staked a claim to taking his spot in the rotation after this performance.

Neal was sent down to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

Neal's 7.98 ERA comes largely from a pair of terrible long relief outings in late June when the Nationals and Rays combined to score 12 runs off him in just 7.2 innings. Neal had been sharp in three relief outings since (four innings, one earned run), but opportunities had been few and far between, so he'll return to Nashville for more consistent work.

Shaw (2-4) was charged with his second blown save of the year and took the loss Wednesday after allowing two runs on a pair of hits. He retired two batters via strikeout.

After an error by first baseman Carlos Santana, the reliever was tagged for a two-run double by Buster Posey that propelled the Giants to a 5-4 victory. In six July games, Shaw has surrendered six runs on eight hits and two walks, raising his ERA more than a full point in the process. That said, this outing didn't do anything to his ERA since the runs were unearned.

Paredes was sent down to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Paredes only appeared in one game since coming up to the big-league team on July 5, tossing two scoreless innings against the Rangers just two days following his promotion. The right-hander heads back to Salt Lake, where he has dominated recently, allowing just five hits and five walks over his last 12 innings of work, including 19 strikeouts and no runs. He could make a return to the bullpen in the near future, but he will need opportunities in order to be relevant in the fantasy world.

Norris (groin) will make another rehab appearance with Triple-A Toledo, Evan Woodbery of the MLive Media Group reports.

Norris had a rough little outing Tuesday against Pawtucket, allowing four earned runs in just three innings of work, taking the loss during his first rehab appearance. Manager Brad Ausmus wants to give him another turn to shake off the rust and continue to recover from his groin injury. If all goes well and a third rehab start isn't needed, there's a chance Norris could return to the rotation by the weekend of July 28 against the Astros.

Diaz collected his 18th save of the season Wednesday against the Astros by pitching a scoreless ninth inning.

The young closer did issue a free pass to Alex Bregman with two outs to make things a little interesting, but he slammed the door by fanning Josh Reddick to end the contest. Diaz now owns a 3.10 ERA and a 12.8 K/9 on the season after converting his fifth save in six games.

Harvey (elbow) pitched in his first rehab appearance since undergoing Tommy John surgery last July, Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun reports.

Moving forward, Harvey will continue to rehab in rookie-league games before he's cleared to report back to High-A Frederick for the remainder of the 2017 campaign. The right-hander will pitch once a week during the rest of the year, and then rest during the offseason, rather than throwing in the Arizona Fall League or playing winter ball. The Orioles are hopeful that Harvey will be ready for an assignment at Double-A Bowie to begin the 2018 campaign, according to Rich Dubroff of PressBoxonline.com.