MLB Roundup: Soler becomes free agent, Santana 'feels fine'

Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler finally became a free agent.

Soler, 20, has had similar problems that Oakland A's outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and other Cuban players have faced in the past in becoming free agents, but CBS Sports reported Saturday that Soler can now take on major league suitors.

Cespedes, a fellow Cuban defector, had to become a citizen of a different country (in his case, the Dominican Republic) and then had to be unblocked by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. A similar process is likely in place with Soler.

Soler is believed to be a 6-foot-3, 205-pound right fielder who already may be being pursued by the Chicago Cubs. The Toronto Blue Jays have also reportedly worked him out.

Several other teams, including the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies, among others, are also reportedly interested in him.

Baseball America reported that Soler can also play center field and is talented enough to have been a top five pick in last year's draft. Baseball Prospectus listed Soler as potentially the 39th-ranked prospect in baseball during the preseason if he had been signed at the time.

Soler likely will be signed by a team before July 2 when collective bargaining agreement rules place new restrictions on signing international players.

--A day after New York Mets ace Johan Santana threw the team's first no-hitter on Friday night, the 33-year-old left-hander said he "feels fine."

The Mets, however, are being cautious with Santana, who missed all of last season after having shoulder surgery.

His next start, which is scheduled to be on Wednesday, may be pushed back a couple days, according to ESPN New York.

Santana threw 134 pitches in the 4-0 victory over the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. It was the first no-hitter in the history of the franchise in its 8,020th game.

Instead of pitching Wednesday, Santana said he is open to going Thursday in Washington or on Friday at the New York Yankees.

"Definitely, the next couple days are going to be important to see how I recover," Santana said. "To see when I'm gonna throw my bullpen, and if we have to take an extra day, there's nothing wrong with that."

Mets manager Terry Collins thought about taking Santana out by the time he reached a 115-pitch limit, but the potential for the no-hitter led Collins to leave him in the game.

Santana (3-2, 2.38 ERA) threw a complete-game, four-hit shutout in his previous start.

--Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Nyjer Morgan finally drove in his first run of the season on Friday night in the Brewers 8-2 loss to the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates.

Morgan's home run in the first inning ended a major-league worst drought of 138 plate appearances in a season without an RBI, according to the team's website. The previous record was held by the Chicago White Sox's Herb Adams 62 years ago.

For the season, Morgan is batting .234 going into Saturday.

--Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, who is out with a hamstring injury, could begin a rehab assignment within two weeks and return to the big league club by the end of June.

Longoria has missed 28 games going into Saturday with a partially torn left hamstring.

The Tampa Tribune reported that Longoria has progressed to the point in which he can hit and field daily on the stadium field. The newspaper reported that he will accompany the team on the upcoming road trip to New York and Miami.

The Rays are 14-14 without their star third baseman.

Also, left fielder Desmond Jennings (sprained left knee) began his minor league rehab assignment Thursday and is expected to rejoin the team next week.

--The Oakland A's activated right-handed starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy and sent first baseman Daric Barton to Class AAA Sacramento, CSN Bay Area reported Saturday.

McCarthy was on the 15-day disabled list with irregular soreness in his right shoulder. He was the A's opening day starter and is 3-3 with a 2.95 ERA. McCarthy is starting Saturday at the Kansas City Royals.

Barton is hitting .198 with a home run and four RBI in 37 games.

--The Colorado Rockies recalled left-handed pitcher Rex Brothers from Class AAA Colorado Springs and sent down right-handed pitcher Carlos Torres, the club announced Saturday.

Brothers had a 1.69 ERA with 13 strikeouts, three walks and three hits allowed in 5 1/3 innings for the Sky Sox. He is 2-2 with a 5.87 ERA, with 21 strikeouts and 12 walks in 22 appearances for the Rockies this year.

Torres has made three stints with the Rockies this season. He is 0-0 with three runs allowed in four appearances. At Colorado Springs this year, Torres is 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA.