MLB Player News

Santos elected to become a free agent Wednesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Santos cleared waivers after being booted off the Giants' 40-man roster, but he's opted to test out free agency rather than accept an outright assignment. The 26-year-old reliever has allowed five runs (two earned) over five innings in the majors this season and holds a 6.89 ERA and 11:11 K:BB over 15.2 frames at Triple-A Sacramento.

Chapman said Wednesday that he has yet to make any meaningful improvement in his recovery from the abdominal strain that sent him to the injured list July 1, Evan Webeck of the California Post reports.

After being placed on the IL, Chapman left the team a day later and went on paternity leave while while observing the birth of his first son. He's since rejoined the Giants, but given his lack of reported progress, Chapman appears unlikely to return from the IL when first eligible Saturday and could remain on the shelf through the All-Star break. Chapman's continued absence should clear the way for both Heliot Ramos and Victor Bericoto to handle near-everyday roles in the corner outfield, while Casey Schmitt serves as the primary replacement for Chapman at third base.

Bericoto is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Bericoto will move to the bench after going 3-for-8 with three RBI and two runs in the first two contests of the series. He'll give up his spot in the outfield to Drew Gilbert, who will cover center and bat eight while Jung Hoo Lee shifts over to right field.

Verlander (hamstring/hip) announced Wednesday via social media that he will retire following the 2026 season.

Verlander addressed his playing future in a statement after MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced earlier Wednesday that the 43-year-old had been named a "Legend Pick" for the 2026 All-Star Game. The veteran right-hander will be honored in Philadelphia next week after being selected to his 10th All-Star Game, but he won't be active for the exhibition while he remains on the 60-day injured list after sustaining a left hamstring injury during a June 17 bullpen session. Verlander -- who was placed on the shelf April 4 due to hip inflammation -- has since resumed playing catch, but he's without a clear timeline to return from the IL. He'll look to move past his injuries over the next few weeks and attempt to make at least a few more appearances for Detroit before the end of the season as he closes the book on a 21-year Hall-of-Fame career. Verlander is the majors' active leader in games started (556), wins (266) and strikeouts (3,554).

Cavanaugh is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Blue Jays.

The Giants and Blue Jays have a matinee Wednesday, so Cavanaugh will get a breather after starting at catcher Tuesday night. Eric Haase will be behind the dish in the rubber match.

Semien (hip) is unlikely to return before the end of July, Tim Britton and Will Sammon of The Athletic report.

Semien landed on the 10-day injured list in late June with a left hip flexor strain that's bothered him at least since early May. He believes the nagging injury affected his performance and was a result of compensating for an old foot injury, noting that "it got to the point where sprinting 100 percent was not possible." However, after working to "strengthen some things," Semien is "feeling really good." Semien will likely require a rehab assignment before returning to the Mets' active roster.

The Brewers optioned Gasser to their rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate Wednesday.

Gasser will be moved off the active roster after he was called up to serve as the Brewers' 27th man in Tuesday's doubleheader with the Cardinals. The southpaw started the second game of the twin bill, improving to 2-3 over his eight appearances on the season with Milwaukee after recording four strikeouts and limiting the Cardinals to two runs on four hits and one walk across a career-high 7.2 innings in the Brewers' 10-2 win. Though he's delivered sterling ratios over his last four starts with Milwaukee (2.52 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB in 25 innings), Gasser may have to wait a while for another opportunity in the big-league rotation. The Brewers recently lost Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) to the injured list, but Logan Henderson (back) will be reinstated from the IL on Thursday to bring the rotation back to five men.

The Cardinals optioned Dobbins to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday.

As anticipated, Dobbins will move back to the minors after he was called up Tuesday to serve as the 27th man in the Cardinals' doubleheader with the Brewers. He started the second game of the twin bill, dropping to 1-1 over his five appearances on the season with St. Louis after he struck out four batters and allowed three earned runs on four hits and three walks across five innings in the Cardinals' 10-2 loss.

Maton (knee) will report to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday to begin a rehab assignment.

Maton has been on the shelf since June 26 due to right knee tendinitis but appears to be nearing a return from the 15-day injured list. He'll likely make a couple appearances with Iowa through the end of the week before rejoining the Chicago bullpen coming out of the All-Star break.

Bowman signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Wednesday.

Bowman will report to Triple-A St. Paul as he kicks off his third stint with the Twins of 2026. The veteran reliever initially signed a minor-league deal with Minnesota in January before opting out of his contract ahead of Opening Day, and then re-signed with the Twins shortly thereafter before opting out of his contract again in May. He had most recently been pitching in the Blue Jays organization, turning in a 10.38 ERA and 1.59 WHIP across 8.2 innings over nine appearances at Triple-A Buffalo before being released over the weekend.