MLB Player News

Santiago (10-4) pitched five innings, allowing two runs, four hits and six walks while striking out six Red Sox in Saturday's win.

Santiago had to labor through a season-high 119 pitched to earn his career-high 10th win of 2016. The left-hander has now won six consecutive starts, posting a 1.78 ERA, all in the month of July. He's the first southpaw to go 6-0 in a calendar month since Andy Pettitte managed it for the Yankees in August of 2007. Santiago will go for number 11 when he travels to face the Mariners on Friday.

Betances will assume the closer's role for the Yankees following Sunday's trade of Andrew Miller to the Indians, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

The Yankees made waves this offseason by adding Aroldis Chapman to complement their already-dominant reliever duo of Betances and Miller, but with the team's playoff hopes beginning to fade, they've decided to cash in on their bullpen riches. Chapman and Miller were both shipped this week for huge prospect hauls, leaving Betances as the lone accomplished relief arm left on the roster. Even with no saves on his ledger for the 2016 season, Betances had already been an asset in most fantasy leagues due to his 2.50 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 89 strikeouts over 50.1 innings, but his value will only grow now that he has an opportunity to contribute in another category. Assuming he manager Joe Girardi sticks with Betances in the ninth-inning role, he should be an elite fantasy closer the rest of the way.

Pomeranz allowed five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four over 5.1 innings in Saturday night's 5-2 loss to the Angels. He was pulled after just 79 pitches.

While he could have had a little more support from the major league's best offense -- Boston squandered seven walks and left 11 men on base while going 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position -- Pomeranz was uneven Saturday and ceded a 2-0 lead in the first inning rather quickly. He's now had two disappointing starts sandwiched around one good one since joining the Red Sox. The left-hander's allowed 12 runs on 18 hits, including four homers, and six walks in 14.1 innings -- that's a 7.53 ERA and 2.5 HR/9 out of a pitcher who posted a 2.47 ERA and 0.7 HR/9 while with the Padres.

Robertson recorded his 25th save of the season with a near perfect 10th inning against the Twins on Saturday.

The right-hander threw eight of his nine pitches for strikes and retired the Twins in order. Robertson has struggled to live up to his hype in Chicago, but he's still a decent fantasy option, particularly for owners who need strikeouts. He's 25-for-29 in save opportunities with a 4.15 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 51 strikeouts in 43.1 innings.

Kimbrel (knee) is expected to join the Red Sox in Seattle and be activated from the disabled list on Monday, Tim Britton of the Providence Journal reports.

Kimbrel recorded just one out while facing three batters in a rehab outing with Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday, but the Red Sox simply needed to see him make it through the game without a setback before deciding to add him back to the major league roster. Expect Kimbrel to immediately resume his role as Boston's closer.

Colome notched his 24th save by striking out the side in the ninth in Saturday's 6-3 victory over the Yankees.

The Rays closer just keeps rolling along, with Saturday's effort marking his third save in the last four days. Colome sports a sparkling 2.17 ERA and 1.04 WHIP this season, along with a 23-for-24 tally in save opportunities.

Graveman (7-7) gave up four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks over 6.1 innings in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Indians. He also recorded a strikeout.

The young right-hander turned in a quality start despite the unfavorable end result, his fifth straight such outing. Graveman had notched victories in his previous six decisions dating back to May 30, and finishes a stellar July with a 2.68 ERA and four wins. He'll look to get a new streak started when he takes on the Angels next Wednesday.

Colome notched his 23rd save by recording two outs in the ninth inning of Friday's 5-1 victory over the Yankees.

The Rays' closer needed only five pitches -- four of which he threw for strikes -- to close out a second consecutive gem by Jake Odorizzi. After last Saturday's improbable blown save against the A's in which he surrendered three earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning, Colome has bounced back with two consecutive saves in as many chances.

Johnson pitched six scoreless innings Friday, giving up four hits and no walks while striking out five for Triple-A Pawtucket.

This was the left-hander's best outing of the season and a reminder of why he was regarded so highly as a prospect. The pinpoint control that fueled Johnson's rise through the organization was on full display Friday -- the first time he hasn't issued a free pass since May 2015. The performance was quite a relief following his three-inning outing last Sunday in which he allowed 10 baserunners and four runs -- that was his first start at Triple-A following his two-month ordeal to address an anxiety issue. He'll need to string together a few performances before the Red Sox trust him in Boston, but if Johnson can get back to level he was at early last year, he could be a depth starter for the team during the stretch run.

Kimbrel (knee) will throw one inning his first rehabilitation outing Saturday for Triple-A Pawtucket, and then the team will assess his readiness on Sunday to determine if he should be activated from the disabled list, Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

It was just 19 days ago that Kimbrel had surgery on his left knee, and now it's looking like he can make it back to the team early next week in time for the series against the Mariners that begins Monday. With his return, the Red Sox will need to make a roster move and could look to trade one of their relievers before Monday's trade deadline.