MLB Player News

Norris (1-2) gave up four runs on nine hits and a pair of walks with four strikeouts over just four innings in Wednesday's shutout loss to the Mariners.

We've seen more bad than good from Norris so far, as evidenced by his 4.71 ERA, 1.76 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB. None of those stats are particularly promising, and it's especially troubling that Norris has struggled to miss bats as he usually does. The 24-year-old lefty still has plenty of potential, but after he led the minors in strikeouts in 2014, it was fair to expect Norris to make a relatively quick transition into a reliable MLB starter. We're still waiting for that transition to materialize.

Santiago allowed two runs on six hits and four walks en route to a no-decision Wednesday against the Rangers. He struck out six.

Though he allowed baserunners consistently, Santiago was able to dance around trouble until the fifth inning, when he allowed a two-run double to Rougned Odor. Unfortunately, the lefty received little run support as Cole Hamels battled on the other side, eliminating his chance of earning a win for his solid outing. Santiago underachieved last season, but he has pitched well to start 2017 and especially over his last three starts, with a 2.45 ERA and an 8.8 K/9 during that span. He will toe the rubber next against the Athletics on Tuesday.

Manaea was pulled after just two innings Wednesday due to left shoulder tightness, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Something was obviously up with Manaea, as his velocity was noticeably down from his normal 93-95 mph range, sitting around 90 mph for most of the night. He exited after just 34 pitches, giving up three runs (all in the second inning) on four hits while striking out one. It's unclear how serious the injury is at this point, but a trip to the DL wouldn't be surprising. Consider him day-to-day for now.

Chapman allowed a run on one hit and two walks while striking out two in an inning of work to record his fifth save of the season in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Red Sox.

It's the first run the big lefty's allowed this season, while all four of his walks have come in his last four appearances. That's about as close to a slump as Chapman has gotten in 2017, given his 11:4 K:BB in 7.1 innings, and as the core of the young Yankees roster continues to gel he should continue to pile up, and convert, save opportunities.

Santiago will be placed on the bereavement list this weekend so that he can attend his grandmother's funeral, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. He will leave the team following his start Wednesday against the Rangers.

Santiago's next start would be Tuesday at home against the A's, and it does not sound like he is in jeopardy of missing that start. The Twins will likely recall a reliever to take his spot on the active roster in the meantime.

Martinez will start Friday against the Angels.

This was the anticipated course of action if A.J. Griffin (ankle) was unable to make the start, and indeed, Griffin will be making a rehab start that day with Triple-A Round Rock. Martinez is a classic swingman, capable of occasionally logging replacement-level innings in the big-league rotation in a pinch, but unqualified to start over long stretches. He has a career 4.69 ERA and 12.2 percent strikeout rate in 280.1 innings as a starter.

Barnes dropped his appeal and will start serving his four-game suspension Wednesday against the Yankees, the Boston Globe's Alex Speier reports.

He will be eligible to return to action Sunday against the Cubs after serving the suspension he received for throwing at Manny Machado's head as retaliation for a slide that injured Dustin Pedroia. Barnes has a 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in 10 innings. Craig Kimbrel remains the Red Sox's closer, but with Barnes and Tyler Thornburg (shoulder) out, Heath Hembree, Joe Kelly and Robbie Ross should see more high-leverage looks.

Puckett is working to develop a third pitch -- a curveball -- in hopes of climbing through the Royals' farm system Damien Sordelett of MiLB.com reports.

The Royals' second-round pick in 2016 was primarily a fastball-changeup pitcher at Pepperdine University, but he understands that having a third weapon in the arsenal is required for professional success. The 6-foot-4 200-pounder has thrived in his first three starts this season with High-A Wilmington, where he is 2-1 with a 1.59 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 17 innings. The 22-year-old is the club's No. 5 pitching prospect and should be on the radar across all dynasty formats.

De Leon (forearm) threw live batting practice Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

De Leon appears to be getting closer to game action at Triple-A Durham, where he'll look to build on an impressive season at the same level in 2016 with Oklahoma City in the Dodgers organization. The right-hander generated a 2.61 ERA and 0.94 WHIP over 16 starts, along with a sparkling 7-1 record and 111:20 K:BB.

Lawrence will take the mound for the second game in the Blue Jays' doubleheader with the Cardinals on Thursday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reports.

Lawrence was originally scheduled to start Thursday, but Wednesday's rainout put those plans in the air. Fortunately, the Blue Jays and Cardinals are going to have a day-night doubleheader Thursday to make up the postponed game, meaning that Lawrence will take the hill as scheduled. He'll look to improve from his last start, in which he gave up five runs (four earned) in 6.1 innings en route to the loss.