MLB Player News

Santiago gave up four earned runs over 3.1 innings with four hits, a walk and two strikeouts in Sunday's loss at Kansas City. Santiago didn't reach 90 mph on any of his pitches after reaching 94 mph in his last start, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Santiago has a 9.96 ERA since May 14 and has seven losses and a no-decision in his last eight outings. It didn't sound like after the game that manager Paul Molitor would keep him in the rotation.

Pomeranz (8-4) threw six innings of one-run ball in Sunday's win over the Blue Jays, allowing five hits and two walks with three strikeouts.

Pomeranz scattered baserunners throughout his start and never faced any real danger aside from a sacrifice fly from Steve Pearce in the second inning. He was staked to a large lead as his side put 15 runs on the board and cruised through six frames before calling it a day. Pomeranz has quietly been in great form of late, going at least five innings with two earned runs or fewer allowed in seven of his last eight starts. His recent success has seen his season ERA drop to 3.64 -- a figure he will look to continue improving upon Saturday against the Rays.

Johnson (shoulder) is expected to move his rehab assignment to Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports.

It will be the second rehab outing for Johnson after the lefty previously tossed two innings Friday for short-season Lowell. Johnson is expected to work deeper into Wednesday's outing as he prepares for a return from the 10-day disabled list shortly after the All-Star break.

Merritt was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Merritt likely would have been in line to start one game of the Indians' doubleheader with the Tigers originally scheduled for Friday, but that plan was scrapped after rain pushed the twin bill back to Saturday. The Indians still brought the lefty up from the minors as their 26th man to offer another arm out of the bullpen, but he ended up going unused in both games.

Leclerc (1-2) picked up a loss and a blown save by surrendering two runs on one hit and one walk with one strikeout in one inning Sunday against the White Sox.

He was asked to protect a one-run lead in the eighth inning after former closer Matt Bush pitched a perfect seventh, but Leclerc ended up surrendering a two-out, two-run homer to Yolmer Sanchez. His chances of filling the closer void in Texas took a nosedive with this performance.

Robertson improved to 4-2 with 1.2 scoreless innings Sunday against the Rangers. He allowed two hits and a walk with two strikeouts.

Robertson got the final two outs with the bases empty in the top of the eighth inning, then got the opportunity to close out the contest when a Yolmer Sanchez homer in the bottom of the frame turned a 5-4 deficit into a 6-5 lead. Texas was able to load the bases against him in the ninth, but Robertson nailed down the victory with a three-pitch strikeout of Carlos Gomez.

Povse was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday, Bob Dutton of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

The Mariners were in need of more position depth with Nelson Cruz (knee) sustaining an injury in Saturday's game, so Povse will head back to the minors to open up a spot on the active roster for outfielder Boog Powell. Povse made two appearances in relief during his first stint with the big club, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk over 2.2 innings.

Neal was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Sunday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Neal will assume the 25-man spot of starter Jesse Hahn, who was optioned back to Nashville to open up a rotation spot for Paul Blackburn. It's expected that Neal, who was touched up for 13 runs in 13.2 innings in five appearances with the Athletics earlier this season, will have to settle for low-leverage, long-relief work during his time with the big club.

Strahm was diagnosed with a torn patellar tendon in his left knee and will receive a second opinion in the coming days to determine if surgery is necessary, Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star reports.

Until Strahm receives the second opinion, the Royals won't issue an expected timetable for his return, but potential surgery could sideline the young lefty for the remainder of the season. Strahm, who recently converted to a starting role before hitting the 10-day disabled list, has had a disappointing 2017 campaign, submitting a 5.45 ERA and 37:22 K:BB over 34.2 innings.

Yacabonis was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Yacabonis will assume the bullpen spot of Alec Asher, who was optioned to Triple-A after allowing five runs in 1.2 innings during Saturday's game against the Rays. Though he had difficultly finding the strike zone in his first three big-league appearances in June, Yacabonis has been solid for Norfolk this season, turning in a 0.93 ERA and 0.99 WHIP while closing games for the team. He'll likely work in middle relief during his second stint with the Orioles.