MLB Player News

Atlanta granted Santana's release from his minor-league contract Sunday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The 40-year-old will hit free agency and will look to land with an organization that can present him with a clearer path back to the big leagues. After signing with Atlanta on June 28, Santana slashed .292/.385/.382 with two home runs and two stolen bases across 104 plate appearances at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Kikuchi (shoulder) said Sunday that he expects to join the Angels on their upcoming six-game road trip and believes he'll be ready to return from the 60-day injured list during that time, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The veteran southpaw hasn't been informed that he's on track to be activated, but he'll meet with the Angels' brass Sunday to determine whether he'll be sent for another rehab start or not. Kikuchi certainly hasn't looked like a pitcher ready to return to the big leagues, as he was roughed up for eight earned runs over 4.2 innings in his latest outing Saturday with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and has posted a 15.63 ERA, 2.37 WHIP and 24:8 K:BB over 12.2 innings in four starts between Single-A and Triple-A Salt Lake. If the Angels are comfortable adding Kikuchi back to the rotation during their road trip, he would likely start either Friday or Saturday in Arlington versus the Rangers.

Amaya will start at catcher and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Amaya will crack the lineup for the third time in four games, with each of those starts coming against right-handed pitching. He's produced a .720 OPS and 105 wRC+ in 138 plate appearances versus righties this season, putting him well ahead of what fellow backstop Carson Kelly (.594 OPS, 72 wRC+ in 211 plate appearances) has done in that split.

Giants manager Tony Vitello said that while Mayer (forearm) isn't expected to come off the 10-day injured list for Tuesday's game against the Guardians, the infielder could be reinstated before the end of that three-game series, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Acquired from the Red Sox on Aug. 3, Mayer last played June 25 before being shut down due to a left forearm stress reaction. The 23-year-old looks to be closing in on his Giants debut, however, going 4-for-8 with a solo home run, a double and a walk since beginning a rehab stint with Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday. Mayer is expected to take over as the starting second baseman once he's healthy.

Roden is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

Though he produced a three-hit effort in his most recent start Wednesday, Roden has unsurprisingly been the odd man out of the lineup following Byron Buxton's return from the injured list Thursday. Roden will hit the bench for a third straight game while the Twins go with Trevor Larnach, Buxton and Luke Keaschall as their starting outfield trio from left to right.

Kreidler is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

Kreidler will hit the bench for the third time in five games as he settles into a utility role following the promotion of top prospect Kaelen Culpepper on Aug. 7. Though he had been swinging a hot bat earlier in the season for Minnesota, Kreidler has fallen back to earth in the second half, slashing just .178/.200/.260 with a 25.3 percent strikeout rate in 25 games since the All-Star break.

Hill is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins and is considered day-to-day due to a right hand injury, MLB.com reports.

Hill was able to play the entirety of Saturday's 9-1 win, even though he appeared to be in discomfort earlier in the contest after being hit on the hand by a pitch on a bunt attempt. The veteran outfielder is considered day-to-day and could be available off the bench Sunday.

Way (back) is expected to start a rehab assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas next week, per MLB.com.

After landing on the injured list July 28 due to low-back spasms and tightness, Way has worked through a throwing progression with no issues and is closing in on a rehab assignment. The 27-year-old has made 19 appearances with the Royals this season, posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB across 23.1 innings.

Semien is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

Semien will sit for the second time in four games as the Mets open up a spot at the keystone for Brett Baty in the series finale. The Mets could give the 35-year-old Semien more frequent days off down the stretch, as he's struggled to a career-worst 209/.269/.354 slash line during his first season in Queens.

Mears (shoulder) is scheduled to throw another bullpen early this week as he continues his mound progression, MLB.com reports.

Mears has been shelved since May 29 due to a right shoulder impingement and has dealt with multiple setbacks, but the 29-year-old could finally be nearing a rehab assignment. Before hitting the injured list, the right-hander posted a 5.12 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB across 19.1 innings.