MLB Player News

Santander (shoulder) went 0-for-4 with one strikeout for Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

It was the first game action of the season for Santander, who got the start at DH and hit third for the Bisons. The 31-year-old still has a chance to contribute for the Blue Jays before the end of the regular season if he can shake off enough rust, and Santander's timeline could be accelerated if the shoulder issue George Springer is playing through proves to be more serious than the team anticipates. Santander's brief Toronto tenure has been marred by shoulder trouble that led to surgery in February, but he's still just two years removed from a 44-homer campaign with Baltimore.

Springer (shoulder) pinch hit for Nathan Lukes and flew out in the eighth inning of Wednesday's loss to the A's.

The 36-year-old outfielder has been held out of the starting nine the last two games due to a left shoulder issue, but Wednesday's usage is a good sign the Blue Jays don't think he'll need an IL stint. Springer has had a tough season overall due to various injuries, but over the 14 games prior to his shutdown he'd delivered a .333/.370/.569 slash line with six doubles, two homers, two steals, eight runs and eight RBI.

The Brewers optioned Sproat to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Sproat had been recalled earlier this week, and he was wild in his lone appearance Wednesday against the Cubs, walking four while being charged with four runs over 1.1 innings. The Brewers will announce a corresponding roster move prior to Friday's game against the Reds.

Millas will undergo surgery Friday on his fractured left index finger, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

Millas had a procedure in July when he first suffered the injury, but he'll undergo another one Friday because the finger didn't heal as hoped. It will be the third surgery the catcher has had on the finger since last August. There's no word on a timeline for Millas' rehab, but he should be healed well before spring training.

Mateo went 1-for-3 with two RBI and a stolen base in Wednesday's win against Atlanta.

Mateo hit a single in the in the second to bring home two runners and extend Tampa Bay's lead to three versus his old team. The 31-year-old has been getting more playing time with Ben Williamson (hamstring) and Taylor Walls (hip) out with injuries. Since making his Rays debut Aug. 14, Mateo has an insignificant .149 batting average with one home run and seven RBI, but he also has seven stolen bases in 19 games.

Mesa went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, an additional run scored and a walk in Wednesday's 7-2 win against Atlanta. He was also caught stealing on his one attempt.

Mesa popped his first home run since coming off of the injured list (hamstring) at the beginning of September. The left-swinging outfielder has been hot at the plate while hitting .367 (11-for-30) with four RBI since his return, and he's currently sporting a five-game hitting streak.

Winn (thumb) said Wednesday that he expects to be back in the lineup Friday when the Cardinals return home to host the White Sox, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Winn returned from a left thumb fracture Tuesday but was then scratched from Wednesday's lineup versus the Giants due to lingering soreness in the thumb. The shortstop noted that he took a bad-hop grounder off his glove hand pregame, which caused the thumb to swell up. However, Winn said after Wednesday's contest that the swelling had already subsided, and he expects to be ready to roll Friday. Manager Oliver Marmol said Winn's availability for the final weeks of the season will be a "daily basis" decision.

Diaz is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Phillies.

Diaz was behind the dish for the first two games of the series, so he'll take a seat during Thursday's matinee. Christian Vazquez will catch for the Astros and is situated in the No. 9 slot in the batting order.

Realmuto is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Astros.

It's an afternoon game Thursday after Realmuto had started the last three contests, so it's not a surprise he's getting a breather. Rafael Marchan will do the catching and will bat ninth for the Phillies.

Aranda is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Atlanta.

With lefty Martin Perez toeing the rubber for Atlanta in the afternoon tilt, the lefty-swinging Aranda will be given a day to rest. Ryan Vilade is handling first base and will bat second as the Rays try to complete a series sweep.