Mariners’ Santiago bracing for sticky-substance appeal

Seattle reliever Hector Santiago will have an appeal hearing this week about his 10-game suspension for using a grip-enhancing foreign substance

June 26. The 33-year-old left hander became the first player disciplined under Major League Baseball’s crackdown on such substances. Santiago has said what umpires found in his glove was a combination of sweat and rosin. He has pitched once since the ban was announced, striking out three and allowing one hit in one scoreless inning. For the season, he has a 2.50 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 18 innings.

■ Padres: Shortstop C.J. Abrams, the majors’ No. 8-ranked prospect, will be sidelined the rest of the season after sustaining a fractured left tibia and a sprained left MCL while playing for Double-a San Antonio. The 20-year-old has batted .343 with a .927 OPS and 28 stolen bases in 76 minor league games across three levels.

■ Royals: Left fielder Andrew Benintendi (right rib fracture) was activated from the injured list after being sidelined since June 14. The 26-year-old is hitting .279 with eight home runs, 31 RBIS and seven steals over 61 games in 2021.

■ Cubs: Middle infielder Nico Hoerner (left hamstring strain) was activated from the IL after being sidelined since May 26. The 24-year-old is hitting .321 with a .797 OPS over 22 games in 2021.

■ Nationals: Catcher Welington Castillo retired. The 34-year-old hit .254 with 98 home runs and 339 RBIS in 726 games over 10 major league seasons with five teams.