Mining the News (6/29/25)

American League

Blue Jays

• No one has a clue when Anthony Santander will return.

OF/DH Anthony Santander (left shoulder inflammation)
ETA: ???

This is the mysterious one. Santander has still not started to hit at the Blue Jays’ complex in Dunedin, Fla., and until he does, there won’t be much of a timeline. It’s possible this stretches on closer to the Trade Deadline, but for now, the Blue Jays have to plan on life without Santander in the lineup.

An issue with Santander will be his playing time since he’s locked in as the DH. I’ve been holding him in some formats where I need power (and none is on the waiver wire), but it’s getting to the point I need to move on.

Orioles

• Cade Povich could be activated next Monday.

Left-hander Cade Povich, who’s on the 15-day injured list with left hip inflammation, could be activated as soon as Monday, and Mansolino was optimistic about him.

“I think everything’s progressing,” Mansolino said. “We’re planning on starting him here soon on a rehab assignment, so that will pop up here soon. As long as all goes well, we’ll see him do that and from then, we’ll figure it out.”

Red Sox

• In AAA, Kristian Campbell will focus on playing first base.

Kristian Campbell says learning first base is the “priority” in Worcester but he will also be playing second and center field.

— Katie Morrison-O'Day (@KatieMo61) June 20, 2025

Twins

• Willi Castro has been dealing with a sore wrist at various times this season.

Willi Castro was a late scratch Sunday with a sore right wrist, one that could prevent him from playing in the next two or three games. Castro felt the soreness when he woke up Sunday morning, but noted it’s not the first time he’s experienced the issue.

Castro underwent an X-ray, which showed no fracture. The utility man previously experienced wrist soreness a season ago.

“I’ve had that pain before, but (Sunday) was the day that it got worse,” Castro said. “But I’ve played with that pain before, last year, this year. It’s nothing. The good thing is it’s nothing fractured or anything like that. They told me it’s probably (going to) swell. Probably 2-3 days I’ll be fine to go back in and play. … The good thing is nothing is broken. Just try to heal it.”

National League

Phillies

• The team is considering moving Otto Kemp to left field when Bryce Harper returns from the IL.

The Phillies seem intent on finding out whether Kemp is a viable option in left field. If so, that would provide a way for the team to keep him in the lineup even once Bryce Harper (right wrist inflammation) returns from the injured list.

In that scenario, Kemp and Max Kepler would form a platoon in left field, with Kemp starting against lefties and Kepler starting against righties. Kemp would essentially be filling the role previously held by Weston Wilson, who was optioned to Triple-A last week.

• Bryce Harper will play through wrist pain for the rest of the season.

The Phillies have been vague about Harper’s recovery from inflammation in his right wrist. They have not established any timetable for Harper’s return. They have not detailed his treatment for an injury that bothered him late last season. Harper was not with the team earlier this week during a four-game trip to Miami; the team said he’d travel but changed course because officials said Harper could do more work at Citizens Bank Park.

He is nearing a return — the biggest test will be how his wrist feels with increased swinging. Harper, who answered questions Friday for the first time in two weeks, clarified this: The pain in his wrist is not due to a structural issue. He’s met with various doctors who have assured him he would not need surgery — now or in the offseason — to fix it.
…
Harper is all but certain to play through some continued pain this season; the goal is to make it tolerable. Harper said the best treatment has been rest. He’s now comfortable with beginning more activities on the field.