MLB Player News

Leiter (ankle) threw a bullpen session during the All-Star break, MLB.com reports.

Following the bullpen session, Leiter continued to throw off flat ground in Atlanta, where the Rangers kicked off a three-game set Friday. The arm feels good, but the report indicates the right-hander may not be back until late in the season.

Ford went 2-for-5 with a walk, a home run, three runs scored and three RBI in Friday's rout of the A's.

In his ninth career MLB game and his Nationals debut, Ford took Justin Sterner deep for a two-run homer in the fifth inning, giving the 23-year-old backstop his first career long ball. Ford wasn't exactly lighting it up at Triple-A Rochester prior to his promotion, managing a .705 OPS and four home runs in 58 games, and he could be limited to a short-side platoon role while working behind Keibert Ruiz.

Nunez went 3-for-6 with three runs scored and a stolen base in Friday's win over the A's.

The Nationals scored three or more runs in five different innings on their way to a 23-4 rout, and Nunez was one of six Washington players with multiple hits and one of seven to cross the plate multiple times. His sixth-inning steal was his 35th of the season, putting him five clear of Bobby Witt for the major-league lead. Nunez was getting by on his defense and speed early in the season, but since the beginning of June he's produced a stunning .343/.407/.431 slash line over 114 plate appearances.

Melton didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Angels, allowing one run on four hits and four walks while striking out nine over 5.2 innings.

Melton has struck out nine in both of his last two starts, showing excellent form of late. He's given up one run or zero in each of his last five starts, posting a 36:9 K:BB with a 0.92 ERA and 0.75 WHIP across 29.1 innings in that stretch. Melton, who made his first start of the season May 24 and hasn't left the rotation since, will try to keep it going in his next start, scheduled to come on the road against the Cubs.

Montero (6-5) earned the win in relief Friday against the Angels after tossing 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out five without a walk.

Montero has posted excellent numbers in long relief since moving to the bullpen in late June. He's held the opposition scoreless in four of his five appearances out of the bullpen while posting a 2.08 ERA and 14:4 K:BB across 13 innings. Montero has been a valuable arm in fantasy this season and is showing he's capable of handling a swingman role. He had a 3.34 ERA across 15 starts earlier in the year and is now sporting a 2.51 ERA in six relief outings.

Dunn (elbow) has shown improvement and hit off a tee July 11, MLB.com reports.

Dunn made himself indispensible in center field prior to landing on the injured list in late June. He was soon joined by Dane Myers, who was activated from the IL on Friday after rehabbing a shoulder injury. Myers joins TJ Friedl as the primary center fielders while Dunn rehabs.

Conine went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Friday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Brewers.

The second-generation player took Logan Henderson deep in the fifth inning for the Marlins' only offense on the night. Conine has been productive in a strong-side platoon role since he came off the IL in late June, and over his last 61 plate appearances he's produced a .308/.410/.596 slash line with four of his six homers on the season and nine of his 13 RBI.

Detmers didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Tigers, allowing four hits and striking out seven without a walk over six scoreless innings.

This was undoubtedly a step in the right direction for Detmers, who had given up five earned runs in each of his final two starts before the All-Star break. Even with a few stumbles, Detmers has been a steady presence in the Angels' rotation this season, posting a 3.47 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across 46.2 innings and eight starts since the beginning of June. He's lined up to make his next start at home against the Cardinals.

Alcantara didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Brewers, allowing one run on three hits and four walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

The veteran right-hander produced his third straight quality start in July and MLB-leading 15th of the season on 104 pitches (60 strikes), but he left the mound with the score tied 1-1. Over 21 innings this month, Alcantara has delivered a 2.14 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 23:5 K:BB, and with the Marlins firmly in playoff contention, the odds of him being dealt at the trade deadline are dwindling. Alcantara will look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is set to come on the road next week in Houston.

Santillan (oblique) received a PRP injection July 9 and is undergoing further treatment, MLB.com reports.

The Reds are doing their most to speed up Santillan's healing process, although the report only estimates a return during the second half of the season. The right-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list in late June with what manager Terry Francona described as a significant strain.