MLB Player News

Santos (lat) has continued throwing bullpens in recent days and is playing catch out to 105 feet between those sessions, MLB.com reports.

Santos appears well on track to facing live hitters soon, given his cumulative level of activity recently. The right-hander remains without a timetable for return and could require a full-length rehab assignment whenever he's deemed ready to take that step since he's been sidelined since spring training.

The Nationals claimed Salazar off waivers from the Mariners on Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Rochester, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Salazar will remain in the minor leagues as he switches organizations for the second time this season, but he will still hold a 40-man roster spot. The 26-year-old righty has pitched two scoreless innings in the majors this year with the Dodgers, though he has struggled to a 5.59 ERA and 1.76 WHIP through 37 Triple-A innings.

The Mariners optioned de Geus to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.

His latest stint in the big leagues lasted just one day without making an appearance. De Geus is clearing out to make room on the roster for Emerson Hancock, who is starting Thursday against the White Sox.

Speier (shoulder) is no longer experiencing discomfort and is slated to begin playing catch soon, MLB.com reports.

Speier went on the injured list June 1after suddenly feeling persistent pain in the shoulder in the days following a May 29 appearance against the Astros. Even with the imminent resumption of a throwing program, Speier may not be a candidate for activation until July when factoring in the likely need for a rehab assignment.

Robertson (elbow) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Friday at Double-A Springfield, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

If all goes well in the live session, Robertson could stick around with Springfield and begin a rehab assignment in the coming days. Robertson turned in a 4.38 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 12.1 innings across his eight relief appearances for the Cardinals before landing on the 15-day injured list May 26 due to right elbow inflammation.

O'Brien (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment Saturday at Double-A Springfield, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

O'Brien has been cleared for game action with Springfield after he threw live batting practice for the Cardinals' Double-A affiliate earlier this week. The right-hander has been on the shelf since March 31 with a forearm strain, so he'll presumably require multiple rehab outings in the minors before he's activated from the 60-day injured list.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that Gallegos (shoulder) is scheduled to make a one-inning rehab appearance with Double-A Springfield on Friday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Gallegos has already made five appearances between Springfield and Triple-A Memphis since landing on the 15-day injured list May 6 with a right shoulder impingement, but he presumably needs to turn in better results before he's reinstated. While covering 5.1 innings during his rehab assignment, Gallegos has given up five earned runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- and four walks while striking out four. He's shown improvement lately with two straight clean appearances, and another strong showing Friday could be enough for him to get activated.

Reds manager David Bell said Spiers will start Monday's game in Pittsburgh, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Spiers was called up from Triple-A Louisville last Sunday and was immediately put to work in long relief later that day in the Reds' series finale against the Cubs. With starter Frankie Montas getting chased from the game midway through the top of the second, Spiers stepped in and struck out seven batters over 5.2 shutout innings while allowing just six baserunners. Prior to the call-up, Spiers had already been stretched out as a starter at Louisville and compiled a 2.51 ERA and 1.06 WHIP across 46.2 innings, and on the heels of his impressive showing out of the bullpen, he'll now get a chance to fill the opening in the big-league rotation that was created by Graham Ashcraft's recent demotion. Nick Martinez had worked as a primary pitcher behind an opener the last time Ashcraft's turn came up Tuesday versus the Guardians, but he'll presumably move into a more traditional bullpen role now that Spiers has been awarded a start.

Akin (2-0) allowed two runs on two hits and struck out one over 1.1 innings, picking up a blown save but earning the win and over Atlanta on Wednesday.

Akin ended up squandering a two-run lead when he gave up a home run to Matt Olson in the top of the eighth inning. The Orioles got it right back on a Colton Cowser blast in their half of the frame, and Craig Kimbrel closed out the win. Akin has had a mild case of reverse splits this year -- lefties are hitting .245 off the southpaw, while right-handed batters have hit just .206. Overall, he's pitching better to all hitters this season, and he has a 4.13 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 35:12 K:BB over 32.2 innings in a low-leverage role. Akin may see slightly tougher matchups moving forward, as he is one of two southpaws left in the bullpen, along with Cionel Perez, to cover for the absence of Danny Coulombe (elbow), who is expected to have a relatively short stay on the injured list.

Altavilla (0-1) allowed five runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one over one-third of an inning, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Yankees.

The initial plan was likely for Altavilla to throw an inning or two, but the Yankees jumped on him right away. For now, Altavilla will remain in the majors -- Daniel Lynch was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday, but the Royals will need a fifth starter late next week. Expect Altavilla to remain in low-leverage usage as long as he's in the majors.